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Happy 901 Day, Memphis! It’s Tuesday, Sept. 1, and it’s our time to celebrate everything that makes Memphis, well, Memphis.
I’ll start by listing a few of my favorite things about our city: the Memphis Grizzlies, Overton Park, the Memphis Hash House Harriers (my running group), GloRilla, the underground Gayoso Bayou, noodles at Good Fortune Co., the St. Jude Memphis Marathon and the Crystal Shrine Grotto — to name a few. What are a few of your favorite (Memphis) things?
The Memphis City Council didn’t make my list. But I’d put money on it being in reporter Bill Dries’ top 10. He’s got a preview of what the council will discuss today, including a one-year moratorium on new data centers.
THE NEED TO KNOW
 A sweeping federal immigration operation occurred at El Corralon, a restaurant on Macon Road in Berclair. (Alex Brandon/AP file)
Massive ICE raid: Around 100 people were detained Saturday night during an ICE raid at a restaurant in Berclair. According to immigrants-right watch group Vecindarios 901, the federal agents were serving a warrant at El Corralon over gambling machines and alleged drug activity. But Vecindarios 901 said ICE did not have arrest warrants for the club’s patrons, many of whom were put on buses and transported to detention centers in Louisiana or Mason, Tennessee. Meanwhile, Free the 901, which encourages businesses to refuse service to ICE and Memphis Safe Task Force members in uniform, is doubling down and asking the city to oust the federal agents.
 New Shelby County Mayor Mickell Lowery took the oath of office during a swearing-in ceremony Aug. 31. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
‘On the right foot’: We have a new county mayor, sheriff, clerk and a handful of other county officials — starting today. And it sounds like County Mayor Mickell Lowery and Sheriff Anthony Buckner may be starting off “on the right foot.” That idiom was mentioned by the mayor during Monday’s swearing-in ceremony in reference to the fact that he and Buckner are already talking about how they can work together to improve conditions at the Shelby County Jail — something their predecessors (County Mayor Lee Harris and Sheriff Floyd Bonner) — couldn’t seem to agree on.
 AI company 5C Data Centers bought the Fred’s Inc. corporate headquarters in Memphis for a new data center. (Courtesy 5C Group)
For the people? Canadian company 5C Data Centers has opened a new AI data center in the former Fred’s HQ, and they’re opting out of a tax freeze. They say it’s a decision to “support the community.” But the incoming Assessor of Property laid out a few other reasons they may not want a tax break. In related news, SpaceXAI, claiming it’s “committed to being a responsible neighbor,” has removed some of its controversial turbines from the plant in Southaven that powers its Colossus II campus. And in even more data center news, a proposed Olive Branch industrial park that originally included a new data center has been put on hold.
 Bass Pro Shops opened the Macon Road location in 2000. (Andy Ashby/The Daily Memphian)
Swimming downstream: By the end of the month, Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid will be the chain’s only local store. Bass Pro confirmed it’s closing its Macon Road store by Sept. 26. That’s after news broke that the space was up for lease. The company said operations and likely most employees will merge into the Downtown store.
QUOTED
 Dolly Parton died Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, at 80 years old. (Carlos Osorio/AP file)
“This isn’t about disrespecting Dolly Parton. ... The American flag at half-staff ... should be reserved for truly extraordinary circumstances. ”
— Olive Branch Mayor Ken Adams
Adams has made national headlines by refusing to lower the city’s American flags to honor the late Dolly Parton. President Donald Trump ordered flags be half-mast at government buildings until Sept. 1, but Adams is claiming Mississippi “home rule” in his decision not to do so.
THE NICE TO KNOW
 People watched at the Ida B. Wells Stage during this year’s 901 Day celebration on Beale Street on Sunday, Aug. 30. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Best of times, worst of times: It’s 901 Day, and you could spend the day being sad about all of the things that have gone wrong since this time last year. We traded Jaren Jackson Jr., and we lost Brandon Clarke. Ikea left. And we’re losing elite status with the PGA Tour, among other very bad things. But there’s also been so much good over the past year, and The Daily Memphian’s Geoff Calkins lists out a few of those bright spots, like the Metal Museum opening this week. He also talked to four Memphians about why they’re celebrating today.
 Saffron Coffee Co. will offer a variety of drinks, including coffees, teas, refreshers and blended drinks. (Sophia Surrett/The Daily Memphian)
What’s brewing: Move over, Dr. Bean. There’s a new coffee shop in town, and it’s run by an aspiring doctor. Ahmed Alshadod opened Saffron Coffee Co. on Park Avenue last weekend. Alshadod is a recent University of Memphis grad who plans to attend medical school soon. But his other passion is coffee and food from his Middle Eastern culture. Saffron offers coffees, teas and blended drinks and will soon add a menu of pastries, desserts, sandwiches and Mediterranean breakfast. And yes, you’ll find some saffron-infused items.
 Construction on the new escalators at Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library finished Monday, Aug. 31. (Wallis Rogin/The Daily Memphian)
Moving on up: The escalators at Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library are finally moving. The side-by-side escalators have been broken since 2023, and since there are no stairs between the first and second floors, patrons were forced to take the elevators. But those didn’t always work either.
Bump in the road: Collierville developer David Halle is suing the town over a new road that will connect to his property at Poplar Marketplace. That’s home to Collierville’s current Chick-fil-A and Chili’s. The cut-through road in question would provide access to Poplar Marketplace, and it was approved by town leaders. But Halle is concerned the new access point will create problems near the already busy Chick-fil-A. That Chick-fil-A, by the way, is relocating soon, following a two-year legal battle over a new location.
 A University of Memphis team is studying oysters to see if a healthy microbiome makes them safer to eat. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Avoiding shell shock: If you like to eat oysters, maybe skip this one. People can get really sick from eating oysters that have ingested undesirable pathogens and pollutants. Think vomiting and diarrhea — or even death. So, a marine biologist and her team at the University of Memphis are studying the microbiomes of oysters to try and keep you healthy. Their study, funded by a $500,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health, will determine whether an oyster with a healthy microbiome can ward off harmful pathogens. But even if you’re not into oysters at all, the team’s work could have benefits for your dog.
WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
The Memphis Zoo is rebranding, and they want your help. The Zoo has released four new, potential logos, and they’re asking the public to vote on their fave between now and Sept. 14.
Enjoy your 901 Day! And let me know in the comments why YOU love Memphis!
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