TOMORROW: Alcy Ball MEMFix on April 29 to Celebrate Legacy of Bellevue Business District

Event first in BLDG Memphis series highlighting local neighborhoods and businesses

MEMFix is back!

Alcy Ball Development Corporation is partnering with BLDG Memphis to host the first in a series of MEMFix events on Saturday, April 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The community street festival will take place along Elvis Presley Boulevard from Alcy Road to Gausco Road and is free and open to the public. Activities will include live entertainment, a pop-up beer garden, food trucks, a public art installation, a bike and hot rod show, and a Kid Zone. More information is available online at alcyball.org.

“We’re excited to showcase our Alcy Ball community with this MEMFix,” said Seth Harkins, ABDC director.

“This will be an opportunity for everyone to see what this street looked like in its heyday when many neighbors came here for all their shopping and social needs – and an opportunity to reimagine its future, keeping the ball rolling for a new generation to benefit from its legacy of success.”

Launched in 2010, MEMFix is an innovative tactical urbanism approach to neighborhood revitalization pioneered by BLDG Memphis. Community members use the events to bring attention to overlooked spaces, address neighborhood issues, or demonstrate desired changes or improvements within a public or private space. The 2023 MEMFix series is part of BLDG Memphis’ Community Navigator Pilot Program and is funded through a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

BLDG Memphis and MEMFix are Looking For Volunteers! See below for details

“We are so thrilled to kick off our 2023 MEMFix series in the Alcy Ball neighborhood,” said Deveney Perry, executive director for BLDG Memphis.

“The entire community has been working so hard to pull this event together. I am looking forward to enjoying this event with them and continuing to work together to support small businesses in the neighborhood.”

The Alcy Ball MEMFix will be a celebration of the area’s historic importance as a hub for Black business owners and its potential to support the next generation of entrepreneurs. More than 45 vendors will participate in the event, including longtime neighborhood fixtures such as Coney Island, Champion’s Pharmacy, Gandy’s Barber Shop, and Marquee of Soul. Local artist Kiersten Williams will unveil a new art installation at Gandy’s, and there will be temporary activation at the bus stop near Coney Island. An outdoor beer garden with custom furniture will feature selections from Beale Street Brewing and menu items by Lonnie Ford’s Wings on the Fly. The event will also include live performances by Marcellus Haley, Anita Love, Sunshine, Sarah Smiles, Marcus King, the Believe Academy choir, and the Alcy Elementary drumline. Performances will take place on the main stage in front of Gandy’s.

William Ogilvie, manager of Coney Island, said, “Live music, food trucks, a jumpy house for the kids, a beer garden – we’ll have a little something for everyone to enjoy, and we hope that people will come out and see what a hidden gem our neighborhood is.”

Joe Gandy, owner of Gandy’s Barber Shop, added, “It’s going to be a blast! We invite everyone to come down, relax, have fun, and get to know us and our neighborhood while enjoying good food and drink.”

Looking For Volunteers!

Come help set up, direct traffic, point folks to all the attractions, and clean up for this event! We’d also love for you stop by to eat from a food truck, patronize local South Memphis businesses, and hang out with us! We’ll be there from 10am-until dusk! Click here to sign up for a volunteer slot. Volunteers are needed on Friday, April 28th at 12pm and Saturday, April 29th from 8am to 8pm! Please contact us at 901-249-5180 with any questions.

Huge shout out to BLDG Memphis, SBA, MAH Productions, Wyanne’s Kustoms, Above and Beyond Auto, Fast Lane Towing & Recovery, Gandy’s Barbershop, Dr. Champion’s Pharmacy, and Coney Island for their incredible partnership and support to make this event happen!