Life is good. I'm in Memphis, Tenn on business with my laptop and free Wifi--Yes! I'm at one of those working sessions where if you are not working you are eating--the food (and good food too) is everywhere. But with a little suite at the hotel that has a ktichenette I'm trying to eat healthy. Even before I knew I was going to have these nice accomodations I thought I'd tool around Memphis to check out the local and natural food scene. Thanks to Northwest Airlines--this couldn't have been easier.
As I was flying from Syracuse to Memphis I paged through the in-flight magazine and spotted a paragraph (with photo) on Square Foods natural store. I had to get there.
Square Foods is located in a funky section of Midtown Memphis called Overton Square. If I were to ever move to Memphis, this is where I'd live. It had that nouveau bohemian, Berkeley before the dot.com boom kind of feel to it, On a prominent corner---with lots of parking nearby--sat Square Foods.
While there is a Wild Oats Market in the area, Square Foods is the only game in town when it comes to an independantly owned natural grocer. The only food co-op in the area closed nearly two years ago. After four years in operation, Square Foods seems to have a loyal customer base who recognize it as the place to go for local produce, granola, and other things such as locally roasted Ugly Mug fair trade coffee. The bulk section, natural body care products and kid's play area make for a homey place where you can do most of your shopping done.
However, speaking with the owner and other customers revealed how fragile this venture is and how far Memphis has to go in really appreciating the value of a local or regional based food system. I couldn't help but look at all their square footage and the bustling cafe with lots of outdoor seating and think about our local Syracuse food co-op . It would be great to have that much space. But more important than lots of space and a cafe is a deep appreciation for healthy, clean, locally produced food that is valued by an ever growing sector of our community.
Looks great. Oddly enough, the coffeehouse closest to my house is called The Ugly Mug. Is this some bizarre trend?
: D
Posted by: Tana | February 10, 2006 at 11:37 AM