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.

First Look at New Overton Square Restaurant Hopdoddy

March 23, 2017 LPI Memphis

Overton Square developer Loeb Properties and brg3s architects are moving forward with their plans to bring a Texas-based burger bar to Midtown.

New signage has been installed depicting the first glimpse of what the new site at 6 S. Cooper St. will look like. Anchoring the block will be newcomer hopdoddy Burger Bar, a popular restaurant chain that will replace YOLO Frozen Yogurt & Gelato’s former location, while Lenny’s Sub Shop will get an upgrade but remain in the same location.

Earlier in March, Loeb announced construction and renovations on the new site will begin by the end of the month, with the new restaurant set open this fall.

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.

Hawaiian-style restaurant to open in East Memphis

March 20, 2017 LPI Memphis

A new seafood restaurant called 'Ono Poke is coming to the Shops of Chickasaw Gardens in East Memphis.

Loeb Properties owns and has been renovating the retail across from East High's practice football field.

The restaurant will feature the Hawaiian-style cubed and seasoned fish. The 1,200-square-foot eatery at 3145 Poplar is to open this spring, according to Loeb Properties.

'Ono Poke, (pronounced POH-keh), is a Hawaiian term for "delicious.''

Hopdoddy Burger Bar coming to Overton Square

March 6, 2017 LPI Memphis

An Austin-born hamburger-and-beer chain called Hopdoddy Burger Bar will go into the building now inhabited by Yolo in Overton Square.

Loeb Properties revealed on Monday the new tenant for the building which the landlord had previously said will be expanded, renovated and given a new look.

Construction is to start this month and Hopdoddy will open this fall at 6 S. Cooper, according to Loeb Properties.

The building anchoring the southeast corner of Madison and Cooper also houses a Lenny's Sub Shop, which was to stay.

R ead more in the Commercial Appeal

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.

Stoners, Rejoice! Cookie Delivery Service Coming to Highland Strip

October 17, 2016 LPI Memphis

Loeb Properties announced today that Insomnia Cookies, a company specializing in cookie and ice cream home delivery, will set up shop on the Highland Strip between Newby's and the upcoming Petra Cafe. Insomnia Cookies will offer delivery between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m..

According to multiple sources, several demurred, sleepy responses of, "Sweeeeet" could be heard from various students at the University of Memphis as word of the cookie chain's impending arrival traveled around campus.

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.”

Improvements are Coming to the Highland Strip

September 22, 2016 LPI Memphis

The University of Memphis is supporting an application by the University Neighborhoods Development Corporation that would improve the areas along the Highland Strip.

“It’s kind of dodgy,” sophomore Maya Benson said. “As you go on the other side of Highland and Southern, things get sketchy.”

The areas surrounding the university are full of empty lots and sidewalks that have fallen into disrepair. Some students agree the area would benefit from a facelift while others do not believe it’s decrepit or dangerous.

“It could definitely be better,” junior sports and leisure management major Stephen Rose said. “But they’re getting it where it needs to be.”

UNDC proposes that the redevelopment would attract new businesses and industries, which would increase property value and economic activity. Increased property taxes from such activity would fund future improvements to the university area with the remainder of the taxes going to the city and county.

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.

New Restaurants Coming to the Highland Strip

September 19, 2016 LPI Memphis

Vacant lots and empty structures currently dot the Highland Strip. Buildings sit uninhabited and sidewalks have fallen into disrepair.

“They could put more stores aimed at college students and clean it up,” Katheryne Wilkerson, sophomore pre-nursing major, said.

The University of Memphis recently supported an application by the University Neighborhoods Development Corporation to utilize tax revenue for improvements to the Highland Strip.

Some of the vacant lots will soon be filled with new restaurants including a fast-casual burger joint, a bakery that delivers cookies until 3 a.m. and a new music venue.

“That might be pretty good,” Wilkerson said. “That would bring revenue and attract college students.”

Some students think the new businesses will attract new people and sophomore education major Parker Payne said it will “diversify the area.”

International Burger Chain To Join Highland Strip

September 17, 2016 LPI Memphis

Burgerim, an Israel-based fast-casual restaurant chain that specializes in “gourmet” mini-burgers, fries and salads, will open on the Highland Strip in the University District.

Construction on the 1,300-square-foot space at 569 S. Highland St. will begin before the end of the year, landlord Loeb Properties announced Thursday, Sept. 15.

Israeli-Based Mini-Burger Chain Coming to Highland Strip

September 15, 2016 LPI Memphis

An Israeli-based chain of restaurants that features small, "gourmet'' hamburgers is coming to the Highland Strip, landlord Loeb Properties announced Thursday.

Burgerim will start construction inside 569 South Highland later this year. Loeb Properties is renovating and redeveloping the Highland Strip entertainment district in the University District.

According to the Burgerim website, the restaurant uses an "always more than one" approach to serving hamburgers from freshly ground meat. Each is 2.8 ounces, and they come in orders of two of the mini-burgers, three or a "party box'' of 16.

Forget Big 12, Memphis May be in Running for College Cookies

September 14, 2016 LPI Memphis

There's about 90 of them in the U.S., including one on Cumberland Avenue in Knoxville, on Lamar in Oxford, on Cotton Mill in Starkville, on Chimes in Baton Rouge, on 11th in Birmingham, on University in Tuscaloosa, and on Hardy in Hattiesburg.

And now Insomnia Cookies has filed for a building permit that indicates possible plans to locate at 545 S. Highland on the Highland Strip.

That site cozies up to the University of Memphis just like those other Insomnia Cookies operate near the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, University of Mississippi, Mississippi State, LSU, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Alabama and University of Southern Mississippi.

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.”