Good morning, Memphis! ☀️
We asked around the office (there is no office, it's just us) what today's newsletter should be about. The answer, somehow, was "everything." So that's what you're getting.
Here's what's inside:
☕ A new coffee shop with a seriously good origin story
🏢 A historic Downtown building just changed hands
🍷 Wine (and a good cause) on the riverfront October 10
🎨 A giant art fair on the Greenline
🍺 Beer, football and Oktober vibes at Grind City
Let's get into it.
Food & Drink
☕ Saffron Coffee Co. Pours a Family Story Onto Park Ave.
Saffron Coffee Co. just opened on Park Avenue near the University of Memphis, and the whole menu is inspired by one grandmother's love of saffron.
☕ A pinch of history. The owners named the shop for their grandmother, who used saffron in everything. Try the Saffron White Mocha or Saffron Chai Tea Latte.
🎉 Good timing. The shop opened just ahead of National Coffee Day, which actually falls Tuesday, September 29. So you've got a full day to find your new go-to order first.
See what's brewing here.
Events
🍷 Wine on the River Pours Into Tom Lee Park Oct. 10
Wine on the River Memphis returns to Tom Lee Park on Saturday, October 10, from 5-9 p.m., with sips for a good cause.
🍇 Sip and support. General admission includes unlimited tastings, a souvenir cup, and a donation to Door of Hope, a Memphis nonprofit fighting homelessness. VIP tickets add early entry and light bites.
🪪 Grown-ups only. This one's 21+, ID required — no kids, no exceptions. Riverfront views come free.
Get tickets here.
Downtown
🏢 A 116-Year-Old Downtown Building Just Sold for $1 Million
Image: Memphis Business Journal
A 116-year-old building at the corner of Second and Madison Downtown just changed hands for $1 million, and the new owners have big plans.
🤝 New owners, new era. Gianis Development teamed up with Soltani Investments to buy the 16,463-square-foot building.
🔨 More to come. The pair plans to pour several million more dollars into turning it into a mixed-use property. The development is one more piece of Downtown's building boom.
Read more here.
Events
🎨 60+ Artists Take Over the Greenline This Saturday
The V&E Greenline Artwalk rolls into Kirby Station Grounds on Saturday, October 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it's FREE.
🖼️ Shop local, walk far. More than 60 artists will sell paintings, jewelry, ceramics and more, right along the walking trail.
☕ Snack stop included. Grab coffee, pastries, lunch, or a drink from Tipsy Tumbler while you shop. Leashed dogs are welcome too.
Get the details here.
Food & Drink
🍺 Grind City Oktoberfest Taps Into Fall, Saturday
Grind City Brewing Co. throws its 4th annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 3, starting at noon.
🏈 Beer meets football. Expect a full day of games, live music, food trucks and vendors — plus football on the screens so you won't miss a snap.
🍻 Homegrown suds. The brewery's own Oktoberfest Märzen is on tap, brewed right there on Waterworks Avenue.
Follow along here.
Reader Survey
📝 Last Call: Take Our Survey, Win $50 for Dinner
Our 901 Today reader survey wraps up soon, and one lucky reader who takes it will win a $50 gift card to the Memphis restaurant of their choice.
The survey closes Wednesday, September 30. this is close to your last shot, and it takes less than five minutes.
Poll of the Week
☕ The Monday Poll
How do you take your coffee?
Daily Picks
🗞️ Other News Around the 901
🏛️ History opens its doors. On this day in 1991, the National Civil Rights Museum opened to the public at the former Lorraine Motel, 35 years ago today. Fun fact: its dedication that summer drew a visit from civil rights icon Rosa Parks. Read more here.
🎬 Lights, camera, Beale Street. A project called "Soul Sister", tied to Aretha Franklin, has filed a city permit to film on Beale Street, so don't be surprised if you spot cameras downtown this week.
🌮 Fiesta finder. Hispanic Heritage Month is here, and our guide to 65+ Latin and Mexican restaurants in Memphis has you covered, from tacos to pupusas. Check out the guide here.
🎧 Beats with a purpose. The Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library dedicated its Cloud901 music production lab to the late Memphis producer Tay Keith, a Grammy-nominated hitmaker who worked with stars like Beyoncé and Drake. Read more here.
🎓 Making the grade. Rhodes College just cracked the nation's top 50 liberal arts colleges, climbing six spots this year alone. Read more here.
🎯 Bullseye. Millington's massive new Target just moved a step closer. Builders are pulling permits for the store, part of the larger "Millington Farms" retail development along Highway 51. Read more here.
🏫 Building for the future. Bartlett broke ground on a new $37 million Altruria Elementary this month, replacing a campus that's been running since 1976. Best part? No property tax hike needed. Read more here.
🌻 Still blooming. The Silo Square Sunflower Festival is set for Saturday, October 10, in Southaven, benefiting Make-A-Wish. Get the details here.
❄️ Don't hold your breath. The Farmers' Almanac's first-snowfall map puts Memphis in the "late November to December" tier. Not the earliest snow in the country, but not the “let’s wait until January” either. Read more here.
📋 Last call reminder. Our reader survey closes Wednesday — it takes under five minutes and enters you to win a $50 gift card. Take it here.
🏈 901 Scoreboard. Catch up on Memphis-area high school football scores from Week 6. Check out the scoreboard here.
📚 Catch up on guides. Missed one of our Memphis guides? Browse them all here.
📰 Catch up on newsletters. Missed a past issue? Browse the archive here.
🤝 Want to reach Memphis? 901 Today goes out to 14,000+ Memphis metro readers every weekday. Advertising with us means growing your business and supporting a feel-good, homegrown newsletter that's all about building community in the Memphis metro. Sponsor 901 Today here.
That's it for today!
Thanks for spending part of your morning with us.
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Have a great week, Memphis. We'll see you tomorrow.
— 901 Today
