9 Iconic Places That Prove Old Memphis Is Still Very Much Alive

Memphis is a city known for its granulose report as much as it is for its blues and barbeque . But over the past few years , as young people have begun settling back into the metropolis ’s urban essence , the once - dirty river town is lead off to effervesce . The metropolis has added mile of bicycle lane . Farmers markets are popping up everywhere . Downtown ’s South End is bust with novel condominium construction , and the revitalise Overton Square amusement district is pack with gang every exclusive nighttime . And that ’s all well and good ! But Modern developments aside , we ’d care to prompt you about some Memphis icon from its moreuncompromisingpast – some date back to Elvis Presley ’s day and others reminiscent of the city ’s swinging ‘ 70s . Are they here to stay ? We sure as shooting desire so .

Summer Drive-In

BerclairOpen since 1966 , the Summer Drive - in – operated by Malco Theatres – is among a handful of campaign - IN left in the US . The four - screen movie theatre expect much like it did on gap twenty-four hours in ‘ 66 ( when it screened Doris Day’sThe Glass Bottom Boatand Paul Newman’sThe Prizeon one CRT screen ) with its monumental , retro hourglass sculptures designed to give off atomic number 10 lights . The theater is unfastened seven Day a week from Memorial Day through Labor Day , and on Fridays and Saturdays for the rest of the year . Each screen show a twofold - feature , and patron can listen to the film through their elevator car tuner . Although there ’s a concession stand , many masses opt to bring their own snack and beverages . Some folks will even pack small , portable grills .

Jerry’s Sno Cones

BerclairWith its neon pinkish and teal exterior , this 1970s - era snow cone shop is a frozen - treat oasis . The building – a born-again gas place – is topped with a gargantuan ice rink cream cone and a polka - disperse polar bear carving , which beckon patrons from as far as the eye can see . As the name would imply , snow cone are the specialty at Jerry ’s . They come in an assortment of barbarian flavors – Tiger ’s blood line ( cherry & coconut ) , marriage ceremony cake , banana , Jolly Rancher ( that ’s the blueberry bush and green apple jazz band , get that one ) – and the employees aka Sno Cone Artists have a heavy hand with the syrup . range yours “ supreme ” manner , and you ’ll get a convolution of vanilla soft - serve in the center . Jerry ’s , which was refer for the original owner ’s son , also suffice burger , red-hot dogs , nachos , and traditional concession fare , but Delta - style crybaby tamales are the most popular carte item .

Sweden Kream

Paris Adult Theater

BinghamptonTechnically , the patronage inside 2432 Summer has change , but besides the name on the neon marquise outside , the anatomical structure has persist largely the same since it open as the Luciann pic house in 1939 . These Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , you ’re more likely to findBlown with the Wind(that ’s probably not a tangible porno , but it sounds good , right ? ) screening at the Paris Adult Theater instead ofGone with the Wind . The Luciann was converted into a bowling bowling alley after it closed in 1958 , and it became a nightclub in 1966 . In the seventies , the building became home to a dramatics once more , but this time screening adult films . If questionable patrons in trench coats lean you make you turn the other way , the Paris also has videodisk for sale and raft of sexual activity toys in its lobby shop .

The Arcade

South Main Arts DistrictStepping into The Arcade Restaurant feels like stepping back into Memphis ’ glory days when Elvis reigned supreme . This 1950s - dash dineractuallydates back to 1919 , making it Memphis ’ oldest continuously operate restaurant . The space at South Main and G.E. Patterson was redesign in the ’ 50s by owner Speros Zepatos ’ son Harry , and it has n’t changed much since . Diners banquet on greasy breakfasts and gist - and - three scale atop boomerang - style tables . server buzz behind a classic diner - style counterpunch with bar can seats for those dining solo . Elvis was a fan of the Arcade , and his favourite booth is marked with a memorial tablet . The restaurant is often used as a moving picture location and has made appearances inMystery Train , Great Balls of Fire!,The Client , The Firm,21 Grams , Elizabethtown , take the air the Line , andMy Blueberry Nights .

A. Schwab

Beale StTheonlyremaining original business on Beale , A. Schwab dates back to 1876 . It was opened by Abraham Joseph Schwab as a man ’s haberdashery , but it later became more of a dry goods storage . These day , Schwab ’s is still selling a few wry goods ( one-time - fashioned candies , homemade soaps ) , as well as Memphis souvenirs . There ’s also an sure-enough - timey soda natural spring , where soda jerks scald up milkshakes and phosphate with homemade syrup , but the stock is more bizarrely jazz for its all-inclusive selection of voodoo paraphernalia ( candle , charm books , doll , incense , etc . ) . Need to attract new making love or guard off evil ? Schwab ’s has you cover . In fact , the entrepot ’s slogan is “ If you ca n’t regain it at Schwab ’s , you ’re credibly secure off without it . ” They ’re probably right .

Woodruff-Fontaine House

Victorian VillageNot much is depart of Memphis ’ stock of grand Victorian mansions . Once known as “ Millionaire ’s quarrel , ” Adams Ave was delineate with stately homes before the 1960s urban renewal apparent movement oversee their wipeout . But a few homes have remained storing , and one – the Woodruff - Fontaine House – has n’t changed much at all since it was construct in 1871 for the family of carriage maker Amos Woodruff . As the other nearby home in the region were being demolished , the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities manage to step in and save the Woodruff - Fontaine House in ‘ 62 . These days , the blank space is open as a museum fill with point furniture and artifact from the Woodruff and Fontaine families .

Earnestine & Hazel’s

South Main Arts DistrictLegend has it that this old diving bar ( locate across the street from the said Arcade Restaurant ) was once home to a house of prostitution , and the suite up the stairs are still intact , with flake rouge and various pieces of old mismatched article of furniture . But before it pose that seedy reputation , the two - account building was home to a 1930s - earned run average pharmacy best live for selling proprietor Abe Plough ’s homemade whisker - straightening product ( it was used to create the styles you see woman sporting in those old genus Sepia - toned pic ) . A span of hair - stylist Sister – Earnestine and Hazel – eventually turned the drugstore into a cafe , and Earnestine ’s husband Sunbeam , who ran a nearby music joint called Club Paradise , would transmit the musicians over to the cafe after - hr for intellectual nourishment and a small action from Memphis ’ ladies of the night . The now - deceased Russell George purchase the edifice in 1992 and re - opened it as a nosedive bar , leaving the building mostly unmoved from its other day . These days , Earnestine & Hazel ’s offer cake patrons a glance into Memphis ’ yesteryear , along with greasy “ Soul Burgers , ” pool , beers , and a far-famed haunted jukebox that ’s known to act as songs all by itself at all hours of the dark .

Maggie’s Pharm

Overton SquareYou would n’t know it from see the herd patios , gorgeous murals , gleaming sculptures , and overall sheeny appearance of Memphis ’ newly revitalize Overton Square , but this hip amusement dominion sat nearly empty for more than a X – up until a few years ago when Loeb Properties ushered the Square back into popularity . In the 1970s and ’ eighty , the Square was the hottest position in town for stripe - hopping and shopping . But most of the old restaurants and shops were shutter after the closing of the secondly - ever T.G.I. Friday ’s in the state ( its flagship ) in 2003 . A couple business enterprise weathered that violent storm , one of which is Maggie ’s Pharm : a purveyor of dry herb and hand-crafted app and scoop . Elizabeth “ Beaver ” O’Cain opened Maggie ’s in 1981 , and it has n’t changed much since . There ’s a decidedly funky , hippie vibration inwardly , and they still sell plenty of patchouli , as well novelty item , such as candles , cards , handmade jewellery , and alone gifts .

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