Cordelia’s Market is a true throwback to the days when your neighborhood grocery was as much of a community center as it was a place to stock your fridge and pantry. Since the day they opened their doors 20 years ago, their mission has been to serve their neighborhood not just by ensuring that all of their grocery needs are met, but also by hosting community gatherings as a way to ensure that the neighborhood has a place to congregate without having to leave “the island.”

Along with grocery items and a fantastic selection of beer and wine, Cordelia’s has increased the size of their Project Green Fork-certified cafe space and renamed it “Table & Taps.” Cordelia’s Market aims to have an ever-changing menu that caters to their wide range of customer pallets, while producing very little food waste.

For them, being a good neighbor means following environmentally sustainable practices whenever possible, such as supporting local producers. In February, Cordelia’s became the first local grocery store in the Memphis area to eliminate the use of plastic bags!

Founded by local Memphian, Alan Gary, Huey’s has been serving up Brews, Blues, and Burgers since 1970. Thomas Boggs became involved at the Midtown Huey’s in 1976, eventually becoming CEO and co-owner. He strived for the ideal of the best food, the best service and the best atmosphere.

Today, Huey’s is run by the Boggs family and now operates nine locations in the Mid-South area. Lauren McHugh Robinson is CEO/President, Ashley Boggs Robilio is Chief Operating Officer, and Samantha Boggs Dean is the Special Projects Coordinator. Mr. Boggs taught them the importance of service with a smile and giving back to the Memphis community.

Huey’s Midtown has been Project Green Fork-certified since 2011, and they are hoping to eventually certify all locations in the future!

Founded in 2015 by Chris Taylor, Mempops started with one cart going from festival to festival, event to event. It didn’t take long for folks to take notice and begin to crave the latest sweet treats on the block. Their fruit and cream based ingredients are sourced from local farmers when seasonally available, and their creativity and desire to try new recipes know no bounds.

With three brick-and-mortar stores already in East Memphis, Crosstown, and Collierville, the Mempops brand is expanding to Summer Avenue this spring with a production center to help them field the growing demand for their delicious pops.

Mempops has supported Project Greenfork for three years and is in the process of being certified, as they are now able to recycle and compost at their new kitchen space on Summer Avenue!

Kat Gordon opened Muddy’s Bake Shop on February 29, 2008 (the perfect day for a leap of faith!), and over the years she has served not only as the owner and founder, but also dishwasher, copywriter, trainer, baker, cashier, and chief cake taster of Muddy’s Bake Shop.

She adores Memphis and all the incredible stories, projects, and individuals who make this place so special; she also adores cake, pie, cookies, and cupcakes . . . hence the bakery. Lately, her favorite part of her job is teaching workshops and helping develop leaders both within and outside of Muddy’s and exploring ways that a small, independent business with limited resources can still contribute at a high level and make a truly meaningful impact in its community . . . it’s exciting stuff!

Learn more about Kat in this Choose 901 profile!

Wielding the torch of a veritable Creole dynasty, Marcella René Simien has successfully planted the seeds of her South Louisiana heritage deep into the fertile bluffs of Memphis.

Artistically confident, composed and courageous, Simien has been lauded by Memphis music legend Boo Mitchell as “one of the most soulful artist I’ve heard since the glory days of Memphis soul music. Her sound and stage presence is a constant reminder that soul music is still alive and well.”