Cooper-Young, Memphis
Encyclopedia
Eclecticism
Eclecticism is a conceptual approach that does not hold rigidly to a single paradigm or set of assumptions, but instead draws upon multiple theories, styles, or ideas to gain complementary insights into a subject, or applies different theories in particular cases.It can sometimes seem inelegant or...
neighborhood and historic district in the Midtown
Midtown, Memphis
- Overview :Architecturally, Midtown Memphis, Tennessee is marked with residential vintage housing, specialty stores, and high-rise buildings, often all located on the same avenue...
section of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, named for the intersection of Cooper Street and Young Avenue. The entrance to the neighborhood is marked by the Cooper-Young Trestle, a 150 feet (45.7 m) long steel sculpture which depicts homes and businesses found in the neighborhood. Created by metal artist Jill Turman, the sculpture was dedicated in 2000, and has become a source of community pride and identity.
Economy
The neighborhood is known for its eclectic mix of shops, bars and restaurants, including the widely-known Young Avenue Deli. Java Cabana, Cooper-Young's coffeehouse, was once host to the Elvis ImpersonatorElvis impersonator
An Elvis impersonator is someone who impersonates or copies famed American musician Elvis Presley. Professional Elvis impersonators can work all over the world as entertainers, and such tribute acts are in great demand due to the unique iconic status of Elvis...
shrine, as well as the Viva Wedding Chapel, where hundreds of people were once married in the backroom by Elvis impersonators. It's still a great bohemian cafe for wifi, fair trade coffee, homemade goodies, and open mic poetry night every Thursday. Other restaurants such as Cafe Ole, Cortona, Tsunami, Soul Fish, Jasmine Thai, Celtic Crossing, Sweet Grass, Lou's Pizza Pie, Do Sushi, The Beauty Shop, and Young Ave Deli represent diverse cuisines (sometimes several within one establishment) and reflect the creative spirit of the neighborhood.
Also in Cooper Young, one will find Amazing Lace, The House of Mews (a shelter for homeless cats), Goner Records
Goner Records
Goner Records is an independent record label and record store co-owned by Eric Friedl of The Oblivians and Zac Ives and is based in Memphis, Tennessee. It is known for releasing albums by punk and garage rock bands such as the King Khan & BBQ Show and the late Jay Reatard...
, a local record label, Black Lodge Video (one of the city's last - and largest - independent movie rental stores), Midtown Acupuncture & Natural Apothecary and Burke's Book Store. Cooper Young is also the home of Memphis' only hostel, Pilgrim House Hostel.
Cooper-Young Festival
Each fall, the neighborhood hosts the Cooper-Young Festival, marked by a 4-mile run, arts and crafts vendors, and live music performances. The neighborhood is increasingly considered one of the more artistic and "hip" areas of the city, and shows evidence of successful urban revitalization in Memphis' core.Community
The Cooper-Young Community Association, founded in 1976, serves as the main advocate for the residents of the area and produces a monthly neighborhood newspaper, The Lamplighter, to communicate neighborhood and city news. The CYCA also sponsors the Festival 4-Miler race - a 4 mile race through the neighborhood the night before the Cooper-Young Festival.The Cooper-Young Business Association serves as the primary advocate for the businesses and services of the neighborhood, and produces the Cooper-Young Festival to help draw attention to those business.
The Cooper-Young Development helps to drive development of the area through a number of activities, including the redevelopment and/or construction of over 55 homes since its inception in 1991. Due in part to the success of its mission and fewer opportunities in Cooper-Young to redevelop and due to a challenging economic climate, the CYDC Board plans to close operations in 2011.
Cooper-Young also has a large gay and lesbian community and is home to the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center. Every summer, the Memphis Pride Festival has its march through Cooper-Young, ending in Peabody Park.