Thornwood development draws more businesses

By , Daily Memphian Updated: June 16, 2022 4:40 PM CT | Published: June 16, 2022 4:40 PM CT
<strong>Retailers are filling the spots at Thornwood. Developer Spence Ray has just one spot left to lease in Market Row in Thornwood, a mixed-use development in Germantown.</strong> (Abigail Warren/Daily Memphian)

Retailers are filling the spots at Thornwood. Developer Spence Ray has just one spot left to lease in Market Row in Thornwood, a mixed-use development in Germantown. (Abigail Warren/Daily Memphian)

Spence Ray’s vision for Thornwood continues to come into focus as new tenants emerge for the mixed-use site in Germantown.

The commercial section of the development, northeast of Germantown Road and Neshoba Road, is almost full as TCBY and a coffee shop will soon join the retail mix. Maggie Louise bridal boutique is also headed there.

“I would look for all of them to open in the fall,” Ray, vice president of McNeill Commercial Real Estate, said of the new tenants.


New Eats: Uncle Goyo’s offers upscale or taco options at Thornwood


Maggie Louise currently has a shop in Collierville and will occupy the southwestern corner of the collection of shops, highly visible to drivers and pedestrians. The status of the Collierville location is uncertain as store officials did not return calls. Building permits show the former store shell is filling to fit the needs of the new tenant. Peering in the windows, visitors to Thornwood can see significant progress. TCBY once had a store north of West Farmington Boulevard between Poplar Avenue and Germantown Road, but it closed years ago.

Just one spot remains available in Market Row and Ray is actively talking to a potential tenant. The new shops will join Bella Vita, Newk’s Eatery and Buff City Soap, which opened in the development’s early days. Although Kohesian closed, Uncle Goyo’s Mexican Restaurant is seeing consistent business in the space, and many enjoy dining at Moondance Grill and Zen Japanese Fine Cuisine.

“Thornwood is an anchor for the north end of central business district,” said Cameron Ross, Germantown’s economic and community development director. “It exemplifies the statement of what the city set out to do with the smart growth plan.”

The live-and-play environment is growing. A 114-room TownePlace Suites, a Marriott brand hotel, is under construction. With the already operating Hampton Inn & Suites, there will be 222 rooms in the development. There will also be three retail spaces on the ground floor of the new hotel building.

“I don’t want one retailer to take all of it,” Ray said of the future spaces. “If I can get small different variety retail shops to fill up those spaces, my vision would come to life.”

Some have expressed interest in the space including a salon, a restaurant and a product retailer. The ramp between the underground parking area and the surface parking is visible as construction proceeds.

It’s not an easy time to be in development. Not only are supply-chain issues ongoing, but code enforcement matters have transitioned online, a longer process than a phone conversation, according to Ray.


Thornwood restaurant closes after two years


“Construction now is grueling from a timing standpoint,” he said. “When I say it’s grueling — it’s grueling. What we used to be able to do in 75 days takes 120 days.”

Construction permits were also pulled for what he is calling “The Registry” — 54 high-end apartments. The five-story building will have a commercial tenant along with residential units on the first floor. The building will also have a fitness center, lounge, underground parking and a rooftop pool. Both the Registry and hotel are on the southeast quadrant of the property near Neshoba and Exeter Road.

The current living spaces — Market Row Lofts and The Residences — are all leased, Ray said. Interested individuals are put on a waiting list. That’s been the process since last fall.

“We are super thankful it’s full, and every day we count our blessings,” Ray said.

Topics

Thornwood Germantown Germantown development Mixed-use Development Spence Ray TownePlace Suites
Abigail Warren

Abigail Warren

Abigail Warren is an award-winning reporter and covers Collierville and Germantown for The Daily Memphian. She was raised in the Memphis suburbs, attended Westminster Academy and studied journalism at the University of Memphis. She has been with The Daily Memphian since 2018.


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