Memphis Made: A Local’s Guide to Gift-Giving

SOUTH MAIN ARTS DISTRICT SHOPPING

It’s Memphis’ first suburb, first arts district, the site of the world’s first modern grocery store and where Elvis' first record was played on the airwaves. South Main Arts District in Downtown Memphis is a must-visit stop on your holiday shopping itinerary. Stock & Belle showcases modern fashion plus Memphis-made art (watch for installations by local artists in the space, too). Shop for new threads at Odds Atelier streetwear haberdashery and lifestyle store. Book worms should stop into South Main Book Juggler to browse a library of new and used books. 

Feelin’ Memphis is a Memphis-themed gift shop and lifestyle boutique, where you can peruse Memphis-themed paintings, home décor, apparel and more. If you're feeling a little mystical, stop by The Broom Closet for a Tarot or Reiki reading and leave with oils and gemstones for your own spell kits. 

Bonus: You’ll get extra time to shop and gallery-hop during South Main Trolley Night (final Fridays, monthly), when businesses stay open late, there's music in the street and everyone’s down for a street party. 

Main Street SHOPPING

Continue a little bit further north on Downtown Memphis' Main Street to find more must-stop shops. Center for Southern Folklore sells items from their collection of prints, music, art, and more (Open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, but be sure to call ahead as hours vary). Shopping for someone with a sweet tooth? Stop into local candymaker Dinstuhl’s for chocolate covered strawberries, fudge, brittles and all kinds of treats. Shop all genres of music at River City Records. This music shop spotlights local musicians too, so be sure to browse their local collection while you’re there. Feast & Graze offers luxury charcuterie, cheese, and grazing boxes or platters that you can order ahead—or just stop by their Main Street cafe space to shop their grab 'n' go and pantry sections. Feast & Graze also offers lunch. Golden Hour is perfect for plant lovers. Located next to Comeback Coffee, this Bohemian-style shop offers plants, home décor and candles. Stop in for a snack at the Memphis Peanut Shoppe. A Memphis staple since 1949, this old school shop offers a variety of bites, like pistachios, hazel nuts, chocolate covered almonds, dark chocolate pretzels and dried fruit mixes. Just off Main, shop bookends, coasters, throws, candles, prints and more handcrafted home décor at ARCHd.

Broad Avenue Arts District SHOPPING

Just look for the colorful water tower and you'll know you're in the right place. If the colorful murals splashed across buildings and the community of artist studios and workshops didn’t give it away, we’re telling you: this is the place for one-of-a-kind gifts to wow people on your gift list. Pick out handmade jewelry at Bead Couture, apparel made from African fabrics at Mbabazi House of Style and handcrafted accessories and art at Falling Into Place. Order your favorite cub of joe and peruse the books, jewelry, home accessories at coffee shop and lifestyle store City & State. Shop inspiring works from local artists at T. Clifton Gallery & Framing. 

OVERTON SQUARE SHOPPING

Stroll this revitalized entertainment and retail district in Midtown Memphis, where quaint shops and eateries of all varieties line the streets, and festive decorations add to the cheer. For brand-name items, browse the designer duds at The Ivory Closet boutique. Browse beauty and wellness products, like herbs, spices, perfumes and essential oils, from Maggie’s Pharm. Shopping for a marathon runner in your life? Breakaway Running features specialty running shoes, apparel and accessories to keep your runner in tip-top condition. For foodies on your gift list, pick up treats like macarons and petit fours from local patisserie 17 Berkshire, and don’t forget more sugary stocking stuffers at Sweet Noshings, where jelly beans, housemade fudge and gourmet popcorn beckon. For unique trinkets, oddities and curiosities from around the globe, head to Paradox at Peco at Cooper and Peabody.  

Bonus: After a day of shopping, grab a table at Lafayette's Music Room where you'll find live music every night of the week and delicious Southern fare. 

Cooper-Young SHOPPING

Head to Memphis' quirky, artsy Cooper-Young neighborhood for boutique shopping amidst some of midtown's most popular bars and restaurants. Pick up some vinyl or band merch from Goner Records, comics from 901 Comics, ‘80s and ‘90s nerd culture nostalgia from Nerd Alert , new and used books from Burke's Books, and artsy gifts and Memphis-themed merchandise from Cooper-Young Gallery and Gift Shop. Around the corner on Central Avenue, pursue the antique and vintage offerings of Fox + Cat Vintage, Palladio Interiors and Flashback Inc.

Bonus: Grab a beer at a local craft brewery. Memphis Made has an excellent patio where you can challenge an opponent to a corn hole competition and then check out their assortment of t-shirts for the perfect souvenir to take home. 

East Memphis Shopping

In East Memphis, go for brunch at The Liquor Store. Fill up on biscuit beignets, breakfast tacos and Bloody Marys before hitting the shops. In the same center, you’ll find an eclectic mix of stores to peruse: London & York children’s boutique features designer clothing and accessories; outdoorsy folks will love gifts from Grivet Outdoors (also locations in Midtown and Germantown); go for all your stationery needs and paper goods at Mrs. Post. Across the street, you’ll find Primas Bakery & Boutique. Shop Latin culture-inspired goods and décor items in the boutique before grabbing a sweet treat in their bakery.

Check more items off your gift list at Laurelwood Shopping Center. For book lovers, stop into Novel bookstore for books and locally made gifts. If you work up an appetite while book browsing, grab a meal from Libro. Then, shop Sachi for modern styles. Browse suits, activewear, custom shirts, dress pants and more men’s attire at James Davis. Get your next pair of running or training shoes from Fleet Feet. For baby and kids clothing, try Cotton Tails. Then, find your next favorite piece from Babcock Gifts’ unique collection of home décor, glassware and crystal.

While you’re out shopping, pick up some baked goods or grab a bite at Sweet Lala’s Bakery in Regalia Shopping Center. Then, shop the center’s boutiques, including 20Twelve, Dazzle and Indigo.

MORE MEMPHIS GIFT IDEAS

Inside the Crosstown Concourse building, shop merch from local radio station WYXR or grab flowers and gifts, including mugs, candles, toys and handbags sourced from Mexico, at Mili's Flowers + Gifts. Midtown’s Shangri-La Records is another perfect stop if you’re shopping for music lovers. For the chocolate lover in your life, head to Phillip Ashley Chocolates flagship store in The Medical District for jewel-shaped gourmet chocolates. In The Edge, Nine01Five04 boutique has trendy women’s clothing and accessories just down the street from Sun Studio. 

For sports fans, you can’t go wrong with Memphis Grizzlies gear from the Grizz Den inside FedexForum. For more activewear and outdoor gear, try Outdoors Inc. (East Memphis). 

Shop where Elvis did for men’s apparel and rock ‘n’ roll tees for everyone at Lansky Bros., clothier to the King. Lansky Bros. shops have been a Memphis institution since 1946. Find stylish men’s apparel, a modern women’s boutique and a gift shop at the Lansky Bros. properties inside the Peabody Hotel. Then, hop over to iconic Beale Street to browse through curiosities and art at Walking Pants general store.

For even more gift ideas, check out our local shopping page on the I Love Memphis Blog.