- Attraction: Crosstown Concourse
- Location: 1350 Concourse Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
- Industry: Mixed-Use Development
- Website: https://crosstownconcourse.com
A 1927 Sears warehouse once sat vacant for over two decades, slowly becoming one of Tennessee’s most endangered historic buildings.
Fast forward to today, and that same structure has transformed into one of the most exciting destinations in Memphis.
Crosstown Concourse isn’t your typical shopping center or entertainment venue—it’s what locals call a “vertical urban village,” and it’s redefining how people experience community spaces.
Spanning an absolutely massive 1.5 million square feet across 10 stories, this Art Deco gem houses over 40 businesses, from restaurants and breweries to art galleries, a performing arts theater, apartments, medical facilities, and even a high school.
What makes Crosstown truly special is how everything connects under one roof, creating an experience that feels less like visiting separate stores and more like exploring an entire neighborhood stacked vertically.
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Keep Exploring →Dining & Drinks Worth The Visit
Global Café: This is where your taste buds get a passport stamp! You’ll find immigrant and refugee food entrepreneurs cooking authentic dishes from their home countries at different counters. Syrian, Sudanese, Venezuelan, Mexican, Nepalese, and Somali cuisines are all represented here.
The mo mo dumplings from Nepal have already achieved legendary status among regulars, while the Sudanese sambusas pack a flavorful kick.
Best part? The pricing stays affordable so everyone in the neighborhood can enjoy world-class ethnic food. Don’t miss Juan’s famous margarita—multiple sources rave about it being life-changing.
Crosstown Brewing Company: This neighborhood brewery reflects Memphis’ scrappy, creative spirit perfectly. You’ll discover over a dozen beers on tap ranging from IPAs and sours to stouts and hard seltzers.
Their recently expanded kitchen now serves up smash burgers (including one topped with pimento cheese), Memphis-style wings, loaded fries, and sandwiches that pair beautifully with their craft brews. Giant Jenga sets scattered throughout add a playful touch, making it easy to challenge friends while you sip.
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Discover MoreFarm Burger: Sustainability meets flavor here. Every burger comes from 100% grass-fed, locally sourced beef from partnerships with farms like Homeplace Pastures and Sweet Nothings.
The chicken Philly has earned serious street cred among regulars who initially came just for burgers. The kitchen treats ingredients with care, believing that fresh, quality components prepared properly will always outperform mass production.
French Truck Coffee: Perfect for your morning caffeine fix or afternoon pick-me-up, this coffee shop serves small-batch roasts alongside biscuit sandwiches with turkey and other grab-and-go options. The quality stays consistently high, making it a favorite for both quick visits and longer work sessions.
Sweet Treats: Lucy J’s Bakery offers fresh-baked breads, cookies, pastries, and cupcakes while supporting an important mission—they pay living wages and train Memphians transitioning from experiencing homelessness.
MEMPops serves hand-crafted frozen pops with seasonal flavors perfect for warm Memphis days. Sweet Magnolia Gelato brings award-winning gelato and sorbet in creative flavor combinations. Pop-A-Roos rounds things out with gourmet popcorn from fun-size to family-size portions.
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Keep Exploring →The Juice Joint & Vibe Foods: Health-conscious visitors gravitate toward these spots for cold-pressed juices, smoothie bowls, açaí bowls, bone broth, and other nutrient-packed options made without added sugars. Both spaces make wellness accessible and delicious rather than feeling like a chore.
Art Bar: Tucked away on the second floor in the East Atrium, this intimate spot serves expertly crafted cocktails, curated wines, and craft beers in a cozy atmosphere that feels perfect for date nights or catching up with friends.
Arts, Music & Cultural Experiences
Crosstown Arts: You’ll find rotating contemporary art exhibitions featuring local Memphis artists alongside international talent, completely free to explore. The gallery spaces span multiple floors with artist studios where you can sometimes catch creators at work.
Crosstown Arts also provides public access to shared art-making spaces including a communal woodshop, digital lab, print shop, and recording studio—all equipped with professional-grade tools.
Memphis Listening Lab: Music lovers could lose hours here browsing and listening to a curated collection of over 50,000 records including 35,000 45rpm singles, 15,000 LPs, and 25,000 CDs. The inaugural collection came from John King, co-founder of Ardent Records who famously broke Big Star.
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Discover MoreState-of-the-art EgglestonWorks Audio speakers let you truly appreciate each recording. You can peek through windows to watch WYXR 91.7FM radio station broadcasting live from inside the building.
Crosstown Theater: This 417-seat black box performing arts venue hosts everything from live music concerts and film screenings to theatrical performances. Recent events have included jazz series with Grammy-winning artists, 20th anniversary screenings of Memphis films like Hustle & Flow with director panels, and tribute concerts celebrating country music legends.
The Green Room: For more intimate performances, this smaller venue showcases emerging and established artists across diverse genres. Tickets typically range from $15-25 at the door, making live music accessible while maintaining an up-close concert experience.
Community Events: Throughout the year, Crosstown hosts free festivals and gatherings that bring the Memphis community together. The Record Swap & Zine Fest combines Memphis Listening Lab’s vinyl marketplace with local zine creators.
The Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates Vietnamese culture with lion dances, live music, mooncakes, and family activities. Crafts and Drafts Markets and Day of the Dead celebrations add even more cultural richness to the calendar.
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Keep Exploring →Architecture & Atmosphere
Historic Beauty Restored: The building itself deserves recognition as a masterpiece of Art Deco and Art Moderne architecture designed by Nimmons & Co.
The 14-story tower and sprawling structure originally served as one of only 10 Sears mega distribution centers nationwide, handling 45,000 catalog orders daily across the Mid-South.
The $200 million renovation carefully preserved historic elements while creating modern lightwells and atriums that flood the interior with natural light.
Stunning Public Spaces: Walking through Crosstown feels like discovering secret rooms and unexpected art installations around every corner. The Central Atrium features soaring ceilings with grand curves and industrial-chic design.
Original architectural details blend seamlessly with contemporary murals and sculptures. A grand piano sits in the welcome center where anyone can play for an impromptu audience.
Indoor-Outdoor Flow: During warmer months, plaza fountains outside become popular spots where kids splash and play. Outdoor seating at various restaurants lets you people-watch while dining. The multiple atriums create an open-air feeling even when you’re inside, with natural light streaming through modern additions to the historic structure.
Exploration-Friendly Layout: The general public can explore all the way up to the 7th floor, giving you seven levels and multiple atrium sections to wander through. You’ll discover tucked-away reading nooks, hidden art pieces, and quiet spots perfect for studying or meeting friends. The building encourages you to linger, explore, and return again to discover something new.
Practical Information
Parking Made Easy: Free parking throughout the three-level garage eliminates the stress common to Memphis attractions. The first level offers free two-hour parking, while upper levels remain free all day. There’s even 15-minute complimentary parking right outside for quick pickups. Twenty-four hour surveillance provides peace of mind.
Family-Friendly Destination: Crosstown welcomes all ages with spaces designed for everyone. A free community library on the first set of steps in the Central Atrium organizes books by category and sometimes hosts bilingual storytimes.
Kids love the fountains, while teenagers appreciate the vinyl browsing at Memphis Listening Lab. The YMCA on-site provides gym facilities, fitness classes, and pool access for those staying active.
Boutique Accommodations: Pettigrew Adventures operates short-term vacation rentals within the building—three expertly decorated two-bedroom apartments that give you direct access to all Concourse amenities. It’s perfect for families visiting St. Jude or LeBonheur Children’s Hospital, business travelers, or tourists wanting to stay somewhere truly unique in Memphis.
Value & Accessibility: Restaurant pricing spans from very affordable (Global Café keeps dishes budget-friendly) to mid-range (craft cocktails at Art Bar, burgers at Farm Burger). Most food and drink options fall into the reasonable category, making it accessible for neighborhood residents and visitors alike. The building stays open daily, though individual business hours vary.
Additional Services: Beyond dining and entertainment, you’ll find Gloss Nail Bar for beauty treatments, Hero & Sage salon for hair care, medical facilities through Church Health, FedEx Office for business needs, Hope Credit Union for banking, and various retail shops like Mili’s Flowers and Gifts (specializing in Mexican goods) and Snkrr Bar (sneaker cleaning service).
Best Times To Visit: Weekends bring the most energy with events, performances, and full restaurant crowds. Weekday mornings offer quieter exploration if you prefer browsing art galleries and the Listening Lab without crowds. Special events like festivals draw thousands, so check the calendar if you’re seeking either the buzz of activity or peaceful wandering.
Crosstown Concourse
📍 1350 Concourse Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
