Styleblueprint Memphis
by Kristen Waddell We’ve all heard it time and time again: Drinking extra water to stay hydrated is essential to luminous locks and glowing skin, and the conventional wisdom is that drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day is the magic number. While drinking plenty of water may seem easy enough, incorporating any additional steps into your daily summer beauty regimen — additional products, treatments and the like — may seem daunting. Fortunately, the secret to perfect summer skin and hair is no longer a secret. We asked local beauty experts for their foolproof tips and product suggestions for keeping skin and hair looking great all summer long, and they delivered. For the full list of products and services, click here. Styleblueprint Memphis We Love Dining at These Outdoor Patios in Memphis by Kristen Waddell Memphis offers some of the best dining in the country, and the cooler fall temps are the perfect excuse to get out and enjoy our great city. There are ample opportunities to dine outdoors in Memphis — and here is a list of some of our favorite outdoor spaces to add to your list! East Memphis ACRE 690 S. Perkins, Memphis, TN 38117 • (901) 818-2273 Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Closed Sunday Opened in 2011 by local chef Wally Joe, this charming renovated home on South Perkins boasts inventive cuisine and a rustic yet sophisticated atmosphere that flows through each of its dining rooms and onto its quaint outdoor patio. Acre’s patio is a great place to relax, delight in your dinner and drinks, and enjoy the views of its terrace and lush gardens in spring. Seating outdoors is limited and first come-first served, so it is recommended you get there early to stake your claim. The patio at Acre is gorgeous any time — and is especially popular in the evenings. Central BBQ See description in Midtown listing 4375 Summer Ave., Memphis, TN 38122 • (901) 767-4672 Hours: Daily, 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at all locations. Swanky’s Taco Shop 4770 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38117 • (901) 730-0763 6641 Poplar Ave., Ste. #109, Germantown, TN 38138 • (901) 737-2088 Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (12 p.m. at the Memphis location) Swanky’s was founded on the idea of fresh selections, a relaxed atmosphere and accommodating service, and has labeled its one-of-a-kind flavor TN-Mex cuisine. Swanky’s has grown to four locations over the last 10 years and both its East Memphis and Germantown locations offer patio seating. And with the tagline “Eat. Drink. Chill.,” it’s easy to see how its patios stay packed during pleasant fall days. Swanky’s is open daily for lunch and dinner, boasts a full bar and serves happy hour from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. daily. Napa Café 5101 Sanderlin Ave., Ste. #122, Memphis, TN 38117 • (901) 683-0441 Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. In fall 2014, Napa Café introduced a new look for their restaurant and, in turn, to the Sanderlin Centre. This Project Green Fork (PGF)-certified restaurant added a porch, a modern indoor bar area and rooms for private dining. If you didn’t get to try out this new setting in East Memphis since renovations were completed, then be sure to check it out this fall! Fall 2014 renovations at the Napa Café included the addition of a lovely outdoor dining venue in Memphis’ Sanderlin Centre. Ciao Bella Italian Grill and Bar 565 Erin Drive, Memphis, TN 38117 • (901) 205-2500 Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday, 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The Ciao Bella Italian Grill and Bar is a mainstay PGF option in East Memphis serving fine Italian and Greek cuisine. Its dining room has all of the charm you’d expect from an Italian restaurant and the full-service bar is a happening spot, as well! If al fresco dining is what you’re after, well, they also offer a quaint patio seating area perfect for a fall meal. Ciao Bella’s patio is a lovely spot tucked into a corner near the front of the restaurant. Mosa Asian Bistro 850 White Station Road, Memphis, TN 38117 • (901) 683-8889 Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Feel at home on the patio at Mosa Asian Bistro. Michelle Pao Levine and her father, Eddie Pao, are co-owners of Mosa. This restaurant recently made national foodie news in an article, “The Best Chinese Food Restaurant In Every State.” In it, Mosa was named Memphis’ No. 1! Enjoy your delicious meal on the patio, which is enclosed with a lovely wrought-iron fence with beautiful greenery. Midtown Aldo’s Pizza Pies Midtown: 752 S. Cooper St., Memphis, TN 38104 • (901) 725-7437 Hours: Sunday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Aldo’s opened its doors in Downtown Memphis in 2012 and expanded to its second location in Cooper Young last spring. Aldo’s serves New York-style pizza pies in a casual neighborhood hangout setting. Both locations have a full bar and an extensive menu of pizzas by the slice or pie, as well as sandwiches, salads and much more. Outdoor seating downtown allows for great people watching along Main Street, or be entertained by Midtown’s Cooper Young spirit from the Midtown rooftop patio. So why wait? Head to your nearest Aldo’s patio and check out today’s Daily Slice. Aldo’s porch in Midtown is high above Cooper Street. Lafayette’s Music Room 2119 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN 38104 • (901) 207-5097 Hours: Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. The Lafayette’s Music Room of today is a reinvention of the classic venue for music and dining that was so popular in the ’70s. Superstar musicians such as Billy Joel, KISS and Barry Manilow were some of the first to perform on its famous stage. Fast-forward and, once again, this Midtown favorite offers round-the-clock fun. They have an ongoing live performance schedule and an enticing menu, created with guidance from local cookbook author and chef Jennifer Chandler. Relive this gem of a bygone era both indoors and out on a grand porch overlooking Overton Square. The Lafayette’s Music Room of today is a reinvention of the classic venue for music and dining that was so popular in the ’70s. Image: Lafayette’s Music Room Central BBQ 2249 Central Ave., Memphis, TN 38104. • (901) 272-9377 147 E. Butler St., Memphis, TN 38103 • (901) 672-7760 4375 Summer Ave., Memphis, TN 38122 • (901) 767-4672 Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at all locations Central BBQ is an ideal place for authentic Memphis flavors, and what better setting for enjoying great barbecue than the great outdoors! This is a family friendly, PGF-certified restaurant known for exceptional service and delicious Southern-style BBQ — and all three locations in Memphis offer patio dining. All three Central BBQ locations offer outdoor dining. Belly Acres 2102 Trimble Place, Memphis, TN 38104 • (901) 529-7017 Hours: Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Belly Acres, Where Country and City Convene Belly Acres’ “citified farm fresh” joins the farm-to-table movement, with farm-fresh gourmet burgers prepared with grass-fed beef and creative, homemade toppings. This Overton Square eatery features a fun, farm-themed atmosphere both inside and out, and the patio is perfect for people watching. Belly Acres, one of Memphis’ best burger stops, has a large outdoor patio with a view of the Tower Courtyard in Overton Square. Image: Belly Acres Ecco on Overton Park 1585 Overton Park, Memphis, TN 38112 • (901) 410-8200 Hours: Lunch, Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday brunch, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Dinner is Tuesday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Take in the European charm of Ecco from the comfort of its covered patio. Sabine Bachmann’s first restaurant, Fratelli’s, is a small lunch place inside the Memphis Botanic Garden. She opened Ecco in 2014, and The Commercial Appeal writer Jennifer Biggs listed Ecco on Overton Park as one of Memphis’ 10 best restaurants of 2014. Ecco is a full-service restaurant where she and her son, Armando, are creative with the food, the space and the area behind the restaurant. This is their second PGF-certified restaurant — and they even plant a garden at Ecco that is filled with herbs and specialty vegetables. The European charm of Ecco on Overton Park is best enjoyed on the lovely patio. Image: Ecco on Overton Park Schweinehaus 2110 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN 38104 • (901) 347-3060 Hours: Monday through Thursday, 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Friday, 11 a.m to 2 a.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Schweinehaus is one of Memphis’ newest hot spots. This upbeat venue in the center of Overton Square is a perfect place for meeting friends with a shared interest in German-style dining! Owners Andy Walker and Chef David Scott Walker are third-generation Memphians with a combined 40 years of restaurant and bar experience. Andy and David invite you to celebrate good food and good beer with them — either inside or out! Schweinehaus is one of Memphis’ newest hot spots for German-style dining. Image: Schweinehaus Tsunami 928 South Cooper St., Memphis, TN 38104 • (901) 274-2556 Hours: Monday through Saturday, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Ben Smith’s unique approach to Pacific Rim cuisine at Tsunami continues to delight Memphians after 18 years. This Midtown favorite has received local and national accolades — and anyone looking for the “best of” Memphis flavors should try the sea bass at Tsunami. This was the first PGF-certified restaurant in Memphis and continues to be a leader on the local foodie scene. They do have a small, outdoor dining area where guests can enjoy milder temps and the activity of Cooper Young. A small patio for outdoor dining at Tsunami in the center of Cooper Young. Image: Tsunami Downtown Aldo’s Pizza Pies See description in Midtown listing 100 S. Main St., Ste. #101, Memphis, TN 38103 (Downtown) • (901) 577-7743 Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Central BBQ See description in Midtown listing 147 E. Butler St., Memphis, TN 38103 • (901) 672-7760 Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at all locations. Terrace at The River Inn 50 Harbor Town Square, Memphis, TN 38103 • (901) 260-3366 Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Guests at the Terrace at the River Inn can enjoy this intimate rooftop restaurant in any season, but its folding windows make fall a perfect occasion to take in the spectacular sunset views of the Mighty Mississippi and the Downtown Memphis skyline. Located above the River Inn at Harbor Town, Terrace at the River Inn is open for dinner — with a fine selection of wine, beer and specialty cocktails seven days a week beginning at 4 p.m. The Terrace at The River Inn features huge windows — a perfect combination of open air and coverage. eighty 383 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN 38104 • (901) 333-1224 Hours: Breakfast, Daily, 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; Brunch, Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Lunch, Daily, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Dinner, Sunday through Thursday, 5:30 p.m to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. eighty3 food & drink has a Main Street patio that seats 30 in an al fresco setting. This hip restaurant is also PGF-certified and offers a great downtown outdoor dining experience for lunch, dinner, late night and weekend brunch. It’s also a perfect place for shareable plates and cocktails. Al fresco dining for up to 30 guests at eighty3 food & drink on Main Street downtown | Image: eighty3 food & drink Twilight Sky Terrace 79 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN 38104 • (901) 333-1200 Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. (weather permitting) The view from the Twilight Sky Terrace is distinctively Memphis! Take your out-of-town guests to the rooftop of Memphis’s boutique Madison Hotel for a Southern sunset. The Twilight Sky Terrace is open to the public every evening at 5 p.m. (and open to hotel guests at Madison Hotel 24/7!) Make plans to meet your friends outdoors this weekend at one of Memphis’ best dining venues … Bon appétitOne of the best views in Memphis, the Mississippi River, as seen from the Twilight Sky Terrace on top of the Madison Hotel | Image: Twilight Sky Terrace TBI campaign combats human trafficking in East Tennessee
Johnson City Press February 28, 2016 by Zach Vance It’s delusional to think human trafficking is only an international or urban issue now. It’s now become a Tennessee issue, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is attempting to increase awareness with a marketing campaign based on the message, “It has to stop.” In big bold letters: “Human Trafficking. Happens Here. Every Day” has been posted on a North Roan Street digital billboard. It’s been there since Jan.11. “The key objective of this campaign is to raise awareness that this kind of crime occurs in big cities and small towns in Tennessee every single day. As an agency, we are not willing to stand by and let this kind of injustice continue, because – to be blunt – lives are at stake,” TBI spokesman Josh DeVine said. Billboards relaying the message are also located throughout Tennessee — in Chattanooga, Nashville and Knoxville. The advertisement was paid for with a grant from the state’s Office of Criminal Justice Programs. Gov. Bill Haslam has also engaged in the campaign by appearing in a public service announcement saying, “Real men don’t do it. Tennessee won’t stand for it.” The hashtag #endmovement also has become a staple of the campaign on social media websites. On Thursday, Haslam’s Twitter account posted a photo of the governor with a red “X” on his hand and the words, “Over 27M people are enslaved by traffickers today, even in TN.” A 2013 TBI study analyzing data from state law enforcement agencies, social workers and court clerks showed Washington and Carter counties had between 26 and 50 reported cases of minors involved in sex trafficking. Washington County respondents reported 50 to 100 adult-involved cases, with 26-50 adult cases reported in Carter County. None of the human trafficking cases in Washington County were reported by law enforcement respondents, but the study only examined one person from each law enforcement agency to avoid double reporting of the same cases. Washington County Investigator Nicki Salyer said she didn’t have any experience in human trafficking because it’s usually handled by the FBI. The last reported case Salyer was aware of was when Connie and Ronnie McCall were charged with selling their kids to a sex film ring in 2013. Connie McCall was sentenced last week to 18 years in federal prison for her involvement. Sgt. Len Edwards, executive director of the commission on missing and exploited children, said the Internet has expanded the borders of human trafficking in East Tennessee. “Their vulnerability is just as great as someone living in Memphis or Nashville because of the World Wide Web and the sexual networking,” said Edwards, a retired police officer from Memphis. Edwards, who counsels at-risk children, mentioned a few cues that may point to a child being trafficked. “One of the things I talk to parents about is if you see a kid with brand new fingernails or a pair of $100 jeans or more cash than what they normally have in their pockets, they need to be looking,” Edwards said. He mentioned a recent parent who called him saying they had found a hotel pass key inside their child’s purse. “Somebody’s got a room for her and gave her a pass key and she’s working,” Edwards said. Edwards cited East Tennessee’s high methamphetamine use as a contributing factor to increased growth in human trafficking. For those who suspect someone may be a victim of human trafficking or witness suspicious activity can call the Tennessee Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline at 1-855-558-6484 or visitItHasToStop.com. Styleblueprint Memphis
A Chance Encounter Leads to Happily Ever After February 9, 2016 by Kristen Waddell Founded by Ricki Krupp in her home kitchen more than 35 years ago, Ricki’s Cookie Corner has since become a household name for residents in the Memphis area and beyond. Every item is freshly baked using a nondairy recipe, which is good for customers who are lactose intolerant and those who follow kosher dietary guidelines. While customers are welcome at Ricki’s East Memphis bakery in Eastgate Shopping Center during her weekday store hours, many of Ricki’s favorites can be found at Kroger stores across the city, in the local section at Doc’s Wine, Spirits & More, as well as on the specials menu at Mosa Asian Bistro(they are used for the delicious Asian sliders). With her taxing work schedule, it’s hard to believe that she has time for much else, but Ricki wears the hats of baker, wife, mother of six, grandmother of 15, Grizzlies fan, Memphis supporter and friend to many. And today, this inspiring woman is our FACE of Memphis. Welcome, Ricki! Ricki Krupp’s challah is legendary in Memphis, as are her other baked treats. How did you discover your love of baking?Since I was a little girl, I have loved to bake. My mom was a very talented baker, and I grew up watching and helping her in the kitchen. I consider myself lucky that my love to bake has blossomed into a career. What was the inspiration behind Ricki’s Cookie Corner?I’ve been selling my baked goods for over 35 years now. I started by servicing a need within the Jewish community, and as demand grew for my product, I expanded along with it. Sixteen years ago, we made the huge leap to a retail space and thank God the business followed. Nine years ago, we broke down the walls to an empty space in order to expand, and now we wonder how we ever lived without that space. With our website business growing like it is, we’ll likely need more space soon. Ricki began her business baking out of her home and selling to friends. She opened the bakery in East Memphis in 2000. What is your secret to keeping customers coming back for more?Great question. There are two primary reasons. One, our product is really good. It’s fresh, handmade and is unique from other bakeries. Two, we make a point to really get to know our customers. Many of our customers have been with me since the beginning and visit the bakery weekly. Our customers quickly become part of the bakery family and enjoy coming in, sometimes just to schmooze. Is expansion into other locations or cities a possibility?Right now, our focus is on Memphis. My family has been in Memphis for several generations and that will continue, as my daughter Aviva works full time at the bakery with me. Technically, we consider ourselves to be in other cities, as we ship all over the country daily. We even have loyal customers out of town that will pay $5 for a loaf of bread and $10 for us to ship to them! What does a day in the life of Ricki Krupp look like?More like day/night in the life! I am in the bakery early and stay late, especially during the holiday season. If anyone tells you this business is easy, they’re crazy! I like to get in early to make sure the bakery team is on track to meet our required production. I use the early morning to get caught up on paperwork and emails, and then we hit the ovens for a few hours. After a full day of interacting with customers and continually restocking the shelves, I end the night by preparing for the next day’s production. Oh, and on Wednesday, we make fresh pizza — so those days are even longer. Ricki’s daughter Aviva Lewis works with her in the bakery. How do you unwind at the end of your day?Usually, it’s the end of the night, but I like to unwind by spending time with my husband, who I have been married to for 43 years, watching the Grizzlies on TV or taking a walk around the block. With family, children and grandchildren in Memphis (and abroad), they keep me busy! What is the last best book you read?I wish I had more time to read. Given our large Jewish family, I host Sabbath meals almost every Friday night. So most of the time, if I’m reading outside of work, it’s a cookbook! What is your biggest accomplishment to date?Squeezing in time to run a bakery while raising six kids — and helping with 15 grandkids! Ricki’s personal touch is evident throughout the Cookie Corner, and when you call to place an order, she’s likely the person answering the phone. What is your most treasured family tradition?Family meals over the Jewish holidays. With such a large family, it’s hard to get everyone together. Around the Jewish holidays, though, my children come in from out of town and we have large, fun and wild meals. Getting everyone in the room together is something I look forward to all year. What do you love most about living in Memphis?The people. There’s just something about Southern people that is different. When people visit the bakery, it’s not just a financial transaction. I engage with my customers and they engage back. I’ve had hour-long conversations with first-time customers. Ricki and Aviva are pictured outside the bakery, which is tucked into a corner of the Eastgate Shopping Center in East Memphis. What’s your best piece of advice for others?Don’t let others tell you what’s possible and what’s not. I had no formal business training and no formal culinary training. Many people didn’t give me much of a shot at succeeding in the early days, but I always believed in myself and had the support of my family. If you’re passionate about something, you can find a way to make it work. What are three things you can’t live without, excluding faith, family and friends?My cell phone (family is always calling!), a comfortable pair of shoes (I’m on my feet A LOT) and my kitchen (When I’m not baking at the bakery, I’m cooking at home.) Our thanks to photographer Emily Robbins for capturing these fantastic photos of Ricki! Source: Styleblueprint Memphis |
AuthorBlogging my way through life as a marketing/pr consultant. I'll be focusing on food, fun and good news going on in the city of Blues and BBQ ~ Memphis, Tennessee. Archives
January 2019
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