A "Night Out" in Cooper-Young

The Memphis Flyer

After years of talking about it, members of the Cooper-Young Business Association and merchants in the Cooper-Young Historic District are kicking off a monthly neighborhood night out this Thursday, April 3rd.

The Cooper Young Night Out will take place from 5-9 p.m. the first Thursday of every month. People are encouraged to come out and walk the strip of shops and businesses on Central Avenue, South Cooper and Young Avenue. Most of the 18 restaurants and over 25 retail shops will be giving discounts and specials, and some are even giving away free stuff!

Tamara Walker, director of the Cooper-Young Business Association (CYBA), thinks this will be a wonderful way for Memphians to kick off their weekend and hopes that people will rediscover the treasures that lie in the heart of the Cooper-Young area. The CYBA also wants people to check out the newly opened, diverse shops that have moved into the area. Cooper-Young is home to shops that sell antiques, music, vintage and designer clothing, jewelry, art, pets, shoes, and rugs, and is also the location of some of the most renowned Memphis restaurants and bars.

Taekwondo teachers at Midtown Martial Arts have offered to watch the kids for $5 each on night out evenings from 5-9 p.m. Central BBQ is offering half-price BBQ nachos and beer specials. The Red Room is offering sample hip-hop dance lessons to children and adults from 5:30-6:15 p.m. Both Mothersville and Gents will be administering free massages. Local drummers will perform at Memphis Drum Shop and kids can enjoy a drum circle. Chef Karen Carrier Blockman at Do Sushi has created the Cooper Young Night Out Signature Roll for the occasion. Local musicians will be performing all along the way.

"I believe this will be fun for the whole family. There will be something for everyone," Walker says. "All the business owners are really pumped about this event. Everyone was happy to give discounts and bring musical acts or special authors or artists into their shops to make this night a real draw for the public."

--Shara Clark

so i hope to scoot down there and partake in the festivities, however, the weather forecast is saying like 2-3" of rain all day today and tonight. perhaps it will subside for a bit this evening. i would surely like to get my drink on down at the deli.

being new to the neighborhood, i would love to go tour the shops too. i pass by them, only to eat or drink in the nearby bars and it would be great to actually stop in.