Rawgirls to close as owners set sail
Rawgirls owners Hannah Pickle (left) and her spouse Amy Pickle launched Rawgirls in 2011. (Jim Weber/The Daily Memphian file)
Rawgirls will close its doors Thursday, Aug. 1.
Rawgirls’ owners Amy and Hannah Pickle announced the closure on Facebook Sunday, July 14.
“For 13 years, you’ve embraced us, an openly gay couple who dared to serve raw and cooked vegan foods under a name that, let’s be honest, might have been better suited for a burlesque show. But you, Memphis, saw past the irony and into our hearts,” the post read.
The Pickles launched Rawgirls in 2011 as a cleanse, juice, plant-based food and shipping operation.
Thanks to a recommendation of a friend, they saw the value in having a “store on wheels” and opened their first food truck in Cooper-Young. Today they have a truck in East Memphis on Poplar Avenue near Yates Road, as well as a brick-and-mortar location in Downtown Memphis.
The company is known for its vegan grab-and-go drinks and foods, including cold-pressed juices, soups, salads, entrees and desserts. The menu features a variety of plant-based, gluten-free and vegan options.
The two had hoped to sell the business this year, as the couple had made plans to leave Memphis after their daughter’s high school graduation this past spring.
“We put Rawgirls up for sale, met with a colorful cast of interested parties — some local, some from far-off lands such as Nashville, some larger corporate entities and others, earnest souls longing to carry forth our mission. We were picky, perhaps unreasonably so, but Rawgirls was more than a business; it was our heart and soul. We thought we found the perfect fit, but alas, the financial stars did not align,” the Pickles said in their social media post.
Three days before closing at the end of June, the deal fell through.
The Pickles made the decision to close Rawgirls in its current format as a prepared foods and juice shop as they set off for life abroad, with plans to possibly settle in Spain.
The two hope to relaunch Rawgirls from abroad as an online media company and shop.
“We’re working on a new platform for Rawgirls, a digital sanctuary where we’ll share our treasure trove of recipes, videos on how to recreate our beloved foods and juices, lifestyle tips, yoga and even our musings on the mysteries of the universe. Want to know how to break out of the matrix? Curious about the herbs we swear by? Ever dreamed of becoming a European expat? Our YouTube channel will be your gateway to this new adventure, seamlessly connecting with Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and our shiny new website.”
As part of the new business concept, customers will be able to order Rawgirls supplements and products online.
“So, thank you, Memphis. For 13 years of unwavering love, acceptance and trust. Rawgirls was a beautiful accident, and we’re excited to see where this journey takes us next,” the Pickles said in their closing statement.
Amy and Hannah Pickle did not respond to a request for comment.
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Rawgirls Amy Pickle Hannah Pickle Free with sign-upJennifer Chandler
A cookbook author and former restaurateur, Jennifer Chandler has been writing about food and dining for more than 25 years.
She is the author of four cookbooks: “The Southern Pantry Cookbook,” “Simply Salads,” “Simply Suppers,” and “Simply Grilling.” While she boasts a degree from Le Cordon Bleu, this Memphis native is about making real food accessible for real families.
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