After multiple whiteboard drawings, parking reconfigurations and three months of planning, a new family-focused business is opening in the former Railgarten space at 2166 Central Ave.

Andrew Mathewes, a Midtown resident and father, and Lindsey Shanmugasundaram, a pre-school teacher and mother, signed a 10-year lease for the 10,000-square-foot space for their new business, Stomping Grounds.

“The people who were filling (Railgarten) up when it opened in 2017 are millennials with small children now,” Mathewes said. “We’re really designing a space that’s focused on kids, families, obviously the kids and their experience, but even more than that, the parents and giving them the space to relax, have fun with their kids, have a drink and then really be in community with anyone with kids in their life.”

The lease agreement also includes an option to buy the property and Mathewes hopes to buy the site in the next three years.

Barry Maynard, Emily Vanasek and Frank Dyer of Gill Properties represented Mathewes in the deal. Ed Thomas and Andrew Phillips of Colliers represented the building owner.

Mathewes and Shanmugasundaram plan to redevelop the 1.4-acre site and open the new business by the end of 2026. It is still in the planning phase.

Railgarten has been vacant since December, when it suddenly shut down for renovations and never reopened. The site is also listed for sale.

The restaurant space, formerly The Farmer, still features tables with menus, silverware and decorative Christmas trees on the tables. Wine bottles packed the cooler and a fully equipped kitchen with dusty wine glasses remained.

Mathewes said he is “working on a new healthy and fun option for families and also the whole community” in the restaurant space. He will announce the eatery at a later date.

He also said the nine parking spaces directly in front of the restaurant will remain but the spots in front of the former music hall will be removed.

Nov. 4, 2025. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
A 4,000-square-foot outdoor tree house, reminiscent of a 1990s playhouse, will replace the parking spaces in front of the bar and music hall, Mathewes said. The treehouse site along Central Avenue will also be fenced in.

Lindsey Shanmugasundaram and Andrew Mathewes have signed a 10-year lease for the former Railgarten space for their new business, Stomping Grounds. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)