Entrepreneurship

Feature Story Rufus Sykes cracks a smile as he holds the door open for a customer at the South Memphis Grocery on West Mallory Avenue. Sykes co-owns the corner store with other family members. (Malik Martin)

Corner Stores: A South Memphis love story


Memphis is known for its grit and grind – it's an ethic of determination. We welcome a challenge. This is the spirit that makes Memphis a hot spot for entrepreneurs ready to try something new. We applaud the work of our big industry innovators (looking at you, Fred Smith), but we also know that every large company was once a small outfit taking a big chance. With affordability, infrastructure and supportive government, Memphis is the place to take that chance. From real estate developers to microbrewers, from restauranteurs to biotech geniuses, Memphis is fostering the entrepreneurial spirit.