Downtown business owners received money to renovate their properties with plans for a liquor store, cafe and possibly more.

The 18 S. Main St. building was formerly owned by developer Tom Intrator — and had been part of his plans for several Main Street properties — but was transferred during an April foreclosure sale. 

“You can have the best community in America … . But if you don’t have available buildings or land, then a community cannot grow its economy,” the president of the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce said.

The retailer will fill the last available space in Ridgeway Trace — making the 300,000-square-foot shopping center 100% leased. 

Plus: Three Guys Pizza Pies is under new ownership, and Bloom Bakery and Cafe brings new tastes to Downtown.

Plus, a Bartlett shopping center gets a new owner.

Meharry’s expansion to Memphis is the first step in Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church’s $310 million, mixed-use development.

Tony Alexander, president and director of MIME, said the entertainment group does not plan to leave the city, but is ‘testing the waters’ on selling its Union Avenue real estate.

Plus, a local Italian restaurant has opened its second location while a local vegan restaurant is just starting on its second space. 

As it stands now, the Temple Israel building will come down to make way for Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church’s new church home.

“The sign is more than just the letters,” said Ted Townsend, president of the chamber. “It embodies that business is here in our Downtown core.”

An Edge District alley is getting a glow-up. 

A vacant building in Klondike should soon undergo renovations to become the Northside Grill.

Plus, Burlington is moving its Bartlett store. 

The century-old congregation would move from its current sanctuary to a new church at the corner of Poplar Avenue. 

“This is the first time since the inception of the building that we’ve had any substantial or any availability beyond one or two suites. This building offers way more than any other building in this city.” 

Terms of the sale include a condition that the new owners will not operate a movie theater without the written consent of the seller and Malco for the next 20 years. 

Local artist Andre LeMoyne Miller will open an art gallery Saturday, May 31, as part of the Downtown Memphis Commission’s Open on Main initiative.

Plus, Bar Limina opens and Dutch Bros Coffee plans second Memphis-area location. 

The Wolfchase Galleria Bahama Breeze closed in mid-May, as did Bahama Breeze locations in Nevada and Florida. 

Ashlar Hall was approved for a use variance in 2023 to allow an event center on the property. However, that variance was set to expire in September. 

Vince Smith is turning his focus to Ashmont, a 100-acre mixed-use project just north of the Interstate 40 and Canada Road interchange.

The shopping center includes Incredible Pizza, the University of Memphis Kemmons Wilson Culinary Institute and The Tile Shop. Plus, an RV park is planned for Cordova. 

A new coalition is hoping to jump-start the development of both rented and owned homes.

Actors Jasmine Guy and Dawnn Lewis spoke during Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis’ Women Build Luncheon.