Siblings prepare Asian restaurant for spring opening in Germantown

February 22, 2019 LPI Memphis

Siblings with decades of experience in the local restaurant industry are preparing to open their first eatery together at a shopping center in Germantown.

Cathy Hsu, Jeffrey Hsu, and Linda Wang expect to open the Asian-cuisine restaurant East Meet West at the end of April. The spot will be located at 7867 Farmington Road in the Farmington Centre shopping center, between Van's Alterations and Jazzercise Fitness Center.

“We thought it was the right time to open a restaurant together,” said Cathy Hsu, who will serve as the restaurant's manager.

Renovations are underway for the 1,800-square-foot space, which will seat 50 people in the dining area.

Korean restaurant opening near U of M

November 22, 2018 LPI Memphis

A local, family-owned restaurant is set to open its third location near the University of Memphis.

Du and Won Lee opened their first Korean restaurant in 2002, at South Mendenhall Road's intersection with Winchester Road, offering very traditional food and serving a primarily Korean clientele.

The Lees sons, Jun and Hwan, then took the reins in 2010. They renamed it DWJ and moved east, to 3750 Hacks Cross Road. Making the restaurant more accessible to a wider audience, the brothers found enough success at the new location to open a second location in Cooper Young two years ago. There, they've seen business boom.

Loeb Plans to Demolish, Redevelop Poplar Avenue Property

November 1, 2018 LPI Memphis

Loeb Properties Inc. is preparing to demolish the pair of office buildings at 5575 Poplar Ave.

The prominent real estate company recently sent tenants of Executive Square a letter telling them that a demolition is being planned for the pair of 1973 office buildings and that they will be replaced with a new development Loeb is involved in.

Ciara Neill, Loeb's spokeswoman, confirmed the plans Tuesday and said the company is working with "a lead candidate" on the "major redevelopment."

"We're very pleased with the interest we've been getting from prospective users," Neill said.

New York Transplant Opens Local Pizzeria

October 5, 2018 LPI Memphis

One day in the early 1990s, the owner of a small, Long Island pizzeria was left shorthanded by a quarrel between his two sons. He turned to the dishwasher, Jose Granados, and told him he was going to learn how to make pizza that day.

Ever since, Granados has been making pizza off-and-on and saving up money to open his own place.

On Monday, the 43-year-old is set to achieve his long-held goal, with the opening of New York Style Pizzeria in Collierville.

Exclusive: Overton Square brands courtyard, launches movie series

April 20, 2018 LPI Memphis

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New York may have Times Square, but Memphis is getting Chimes Square.

The courtyard at Overton Square's new brand plays off the bustling New York intersection and nods to the courtyard's wind chimes — one of the largest sets in the world.

"We wanted to create a better sense of place," said Ciara Neill, Loeb Properties marketing director. "It's such a catchy name we can say it and people know what we're talking about."

In conjunction with the new brand, Loeb is kicking off a free film series on most Thursday nights, with the rotating themes of kids, date night, comedy and drama.

With Loeb mural collaboration, art class is in session at Overton Square

April 4, 2018 LPI Memphis

Bob Loeb was flipping through the pages of Memphis magazine when he saw a piece of art he had to have. It wasn't a gallery piece, but a mural created by local elementary school students using recycled plastic bottle caps.

The article led to the latest educational collaboration between Loeb Properties Inc. and Shady Grove Elementary.

Loeb orchestrated a trade in which students would create a bottle cap mural for Overton Square in exchange for an educational field trip in which 75 fifth-graders received an art lesson from The Art Project, lunch from Belly Acres and a guided public art tour.

The serendipitous way in which Shady Grove Elementary found itself partnering with Overton Square is a microcosm of Memphis itself, said school principal Kiersten Schnacke.

"That really and truly is what our world should be about — people coming together," Schnacke said. "Through those connections, our students were able to have an amazing experience."

Like Memphis, Shady Grove is a diverse public school with a mix of races and incomes. Five of the school's buses are dedicated to transporting students from a nearby apartment complex.

Loeb expands Overton Square brand with new infill development

February 13, 2018 LPI Memphis

A conceptual rendering of the Diana Street Apartments being proposed by PMT investments LLC. The apartments are designed by Memphis-based architecture firm Arch Inc.

The latest infill development in Midtown will officially expand the boundaries of Loeb Properties Inc.'s Overton Square redevelopment — or the use of its trademarked brand at least.

A three-story, infill apartment building, planned for a vacant lot at the corner of Diana Street and Monroe Avenue, will be the first new development to use the official Overton Square brand.

A conceptual rendering of the Diana Street Apartments being proposed by PMT investments LLC. The apartments are designed by Memphis-based architecture firm Arch Inc.

As detailed in the Memphis Business Journal's June 2017 cover story, "Loeb trademark defines shape of Overton Square," Loeb has a federal trademark for “Overton Square” and “Overton Square Memphis” from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for advertising and marketing purposes.

"Since 'Overton Square,' the name, is trademarked, [Loeb] is licensing us the ability to use the name 'Overton Square' in our name 'The Flats at Overton Square,'" said Aaron Petree, Loeb's vice president of properties and a principal of PMT Investments, which is developing the project. "For them, it was a benefit because they can expand the geographical footprint."

Loeb leases Midtown space to local veterinary chain

July 11, 2017 LPI Memphis

Loeb Properties Inc. announced today (Tuesday, July 11) it leased 2,300 square feet of space on Union Avenue to PetVax, a veterinary clinic.

The clinic will be located at 1680 Union Ave., in the shopping center anchored by Pei Wei Asian Diner. It will be the Memphis-based veterinary company's sixth full-service location, and its closest to core of the city.

New tenant named for future Midtown development

June 14, 2017 LPI Memphis

A tenant you can bank on is headed to a future Midtown development.

Renasant Bank will open a branch in Loeb Properties’ new 7,500-square-foot retail center at 2046 Union Ave. The bank joins Chipotle as the announced tenants.

In January, Metropolitan BancGroup Inc. — parent company of Metropolitan Bank — announced it would merge into Renasant Corp. — parent company of Rensant Bank — as part of a $190 million all-stock transaction. That merger is expected to close July 1.

Phillip May, former market CEO for Metropolitan Bank’s Memphis market and current president of Memphis/West Tennessee for Renasant Bank, said the Union Avenue location was already in the works for Metropolitan before the merger announcement.

“We have been looking in Midtown for a couple of years,” May said. “We have a lot of clients there, particularly with our medical banking group. Being that close to the medical district is important.”

Chipotle to open first Midtown Memphis location

June 12, 2017 LPI Memphis

Chipotle is on its way to Midtown.

The fast-casual Tex-Mex eatery will be leasing space in the new 7,500-square-foot retail center Loeb Properties is building at 2046 Union Ave., the former home of a Valvoline Instant Oil Change building.

Chipotle will take up about 2,250-square-feet of space in the new center, according to The Shopping Center Group's John Reed, who — along with colleague Danny Buring — represented the popular burrito restaurant.

"They like Union Avenue and the synergy of the area [near Overton Square]," Reed said.

Golden India, Overton Square and the Loeb trademark

June 9, 2017 LPI Memphis

This week it was revealed that a longtime Overton Square restaurant tenant planned to move — slightly.

Golden India filed an application with the Shelby County Land Use Control Board to have a piece of property at 20 N. Cooper St. changed from its current residential zoning to accommodate a new, 2,900-square-foot restaurant. The site is immediately next door to Ballet Memphis.

If approved, the new Golden India location would be about a three-minute walk from its current home at 2097 Madison Ave. It's a small move geographically, but it's one that would take them outside the Overton Square parameters.

This week’s MBJ cover article, “Defining the shape of the Square,” looks at the federal trademarks for “Overton Square” and “Overton Square Memphis” granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and registered to Loeb Realty Co. Inc.

Cover Story: Loeb trademark defines shape of Overton Square

June 9, 2017 LPI Memphis

A person is standing at the corner of Florence Street and Madison Avenue — where are they? An answer of “Overton Square” may or may not be correct — depending on what side of the street the person is standing.

Are they in front of Memphis Pizza Cafe, at 2087 MadisonAve.? “Overton Square” is the right answer. Standing in front of Maggie’s Pharm, at 13 Florence St.,just a few yards away from Memphis Pizza Cafe? “Not Overton Square.”

But, if the person crosses Madison Avenue to the parking lotnext to Bayou Bar & Grill, they’re back in “Overton Square.”

The Square got its start when a group of young developers brought it to life after liquor-by-the-drink was legalized in 1969. The entertainment district boasted the first franchised location of T.G.I. Friday’s and was renowned for special attractions such as an ice skating rink and performances of “A Dickens Christmas.”

However, after a few changes in ownership, the Square began to decline in the 1980s, and in the following decades was all but abandoned by many businesses — the nadir might have been the closing of Friday’s in 2003 — until brothers Robert and Louis Loeb of Memphis-based Loeb Properties Inc. purchased the development in 2012. Overton Square has since gotten its second wind.

Loeb purchases site near Overton Square

May 4, 2017 LPI Memphis

Last week, Loeb Properties spent $1.4 million on a site that is currently home to a Burger King near Loeb-owned Overton Square.

The two-parcel property, located at 2090 Union Ave., has a combined appraised value of about $1 million, according to the Shelby County Assessor of Property's website. It is about a block away from the property where Loeb plans to build a new, 7,500-square-foot retail center.

Loeb set to build new Midtown retail center

March 27, 2017 LPI Memphis

Loeb Properties is preparing to build a new, 7,500-square-foot retail center in Midtown.

The center will sit just south of Overton Square at 2046 Union Ave., the current location of a Valvoline Instant Oil Change building.

"This constitutes a rare opportunity for a tenant to move into brand-new retail space on Union Avenue in the heart of Midtown," said Aaron Petree, Loeb's leasing broker for the property, in a news release. The multi-tenant building is set to include a restaurant, but Loeb didn't release the names of any confirmed lessors. The building will cost about $1.2 million, according to a building permit filed Tuesday.

Memphis' latest Italian import: Gelato on a stick

March 22, 2017 LPI Memphis

Wisam Mansour was visiting Italy, last year when he saw something that surprised him — gelato being sold on a stick.

Mansour, owner of Memphis' ZamZamz Mediterranean Grill, loved the idea and decided he needed to bring the concept to the Bluff City.

"It’s something new. ... And, it's made fresh daily, from fresh ingredients," Mansour said. By the first week of April, Mansour expects his new shop — which is taking the name "Dipsticle" — to open in Cordova.

Mansour's business partner, Maged Hamdalla, traveled to Italy for 12 weeks recently to learn the art of gelato making and to ensure that the shop's gelato will be prepared in an authentic Italian way. All of the businesses' ingredients and equipment will be purchased from Italy, Mansour said, and all of its gelato will be sold on a stick.

Loeb renovating East Memphis building

November 30, 2016 LPI Memphis

A circa 1960 East Memphis retail building is about to be renovated by Memphis-based Loeb Properties Inc.

Construction is expected to start in early 2017 on the Seabrook building, located at 601 S. Mendenhall Road. Available space ranges from 1,700 square feet to 7,600 square feet. The site has 71 parking spaces with 36 on-site and 35 spaces on the street.

“Potential tenant mix could be any quality retail, restaurant, service or office use,” said Aaron Petree, vice president of brokerage with Loeb Properties.

Petree said they are flexible with potential tenants and could accommodate most commercial businesses. Loeb Properties purchased the building in June 2016 for $1 million, according to the Shelby County Assessor of Property's website.

Mediterranean restaurant opening near U of M

October 12, 2016 LPI Memphis

A Mediterranean restaurant is the latest tenant headed to the Highland Strip.

Petra Cafe signed a lease for 1,000 square feet of space at 547 S. Highland St. Construction on the build-out will begin soon, and the restaurant should open in early 2017.

“We are just excited that the Highland Strip is filling up with a great variety of tenants that we feel will not only serve the student populations, but also the residents in the area,” said Ciara Neill, director of marketing for Loeb Properties.

The buildings that comprise the Highland Strip – which technically span from The Bluff, a music venue and Cajun-inspired restaurant at 535 S. Highland St., to iCon Clothing at 575 S. Highland St. – are owned by Loeb Properties. Four tenant bays are still available for lease, including: 551 S. Highland St., with 3,400 square feet; 549 S. Highland St., with 2,800 square feet; 565 S. Highland St., with 1,200 square feet; and 571 S. Highland St., with 1,300 square feet.

New Business Jumping into Cordova

September 28, 2016 LPI Memphis

A trampoline park with locations across the U.S. is adding Cordova to its list.

Loeb Properties Inc. announced that Urban Trampoline & Adventure Parksigned a lease for 30,000 square feet of space in the Trinity Commons center at 700 N. Germantown Parkway.

“We are excited to bring something unique to Cordova,” said Michael Browning, CEO of Urban Air Trampoline Parks, in a release. “This will be a one-of-a-kind facility that will attract families from across Cordova, Germantown, Bartlett and Memphis. … We can’t wait to bring our cutting-edge attractions to the Cordova community.”

City Market Owners Plan New Venture Near CBU

September 22, 2016 LPI Memphis

The owners of City Market and Quench Wine & Spirits have announced their newest venture – 901 Grille and Market.

Hamida and Sunny Mandani opened City Market Downtown on South Main in 2010. City Market was then followed by City Market Midtown on South Cooper Street in 2015 and Quench on South Second Street, near the Peabody Hotel, also in 2015. Now, they plan to launch 901 Grille and Market at 711 East Parkway.

U of M Area Getting Late Night Cookie Fix?

September 14, 2016 LPI Memphis

A national cookie company that does delicious pre-dawn deliveries could open up shop near the University of Memphis.

Insomnia Cookies, founded in a college dorm room in 2003 and with more than 90 locations across the U.S. today, was listed on a $100,000 building permit filed Tuesday, Sept. 13, for “interior alterations” at 545 S. Highland St.

Ciara Neill, director of marketing for Loeb Properties, which owns the Highland Strip building, said they are currently in negotiations for that bay and are excited about filling out the entire Strip with new tenants.

“We are just wrapping up our renovation work,” Neill said. “There should be some exciting and interesting tenants.”