Stomping Grounds is aiming to open on a very special day for Memphians.

Andrew Mathewes and Lindsey Shanmugasundaram are working to redevelop the former Railgarten site into a family-focused experience after signing a 10-year lease late last year.

“We’ve been plugging away for four months since we signed the lease,” Mathewes said. “Our goal is to open on or right next to 901 Day this year. That’d be a fun time to celebrate, and you’d have another great event on our weird civic holiday that’s especially focused on kids this year.”

Former Railgarten to become family-friendly Stomping Grounds

UrbanARCH Associates filed a $750,000 permit for the 1.4-acre site at 2166 Central this week. Walker General Contractors is managing the project and Collect + Curate Studio is the interior designer.

The largest piece is renovating the 10,000-square-foot main building into what the owners are calling “Half Pints.”

“We’re taking the old bar and replacing it with a self-service tap wall,” Mathewes said. “That’s a big piece of project and a great new piece of the experience. It’s something that I think it going to be unique for Memphis.”

A rendering shows the 16-foot-tall play structure intended for “Half Pints,” the main building at Stomping Grounds. (Submitted)

The large space will be designed for indoor play, where people can get a nitro cold brew, beer or craft soda from the self-serve tap wall. It will have a new 16-foot tall play structure installed. There will be plenty of seating.

“It’s still going to be a great place to watch the game, just now with your kids,” Mathewes said. “There’s also spaces in that room you could have a 50-kid birthday party.”

The team is updating the main building’s upstairs to better accommodate parties. The self-service tap wall will run up there as well.

Railgarten’s former Tiki Bar will become something like a conference room, set up as a community workspace.

“Kids could do their homework or parents could have a meeting during the day if they work hybrid,” Mathewes said.

Stomping Grounds is changing the old volleyball court to a new outdoor playground experience.

“The biggest physical change is removing all the shipping containers to make way for a new driveway that comes in the back along the side street, Blythe,” he said. “The biggest, unsexiest problem to solve at Railgarten was the lack of parking, so we’ll be working on adding some spaces in the back.”

They plan on selling some of the intermodal containers and maybe donate some to non-profit organizations for reuse.

“We’ve probably gotten more emails about ‘Can we have your shipping containers?’ than anything else,” he said. “It’s been funny to see.”

Wild Beet to open in former Railgarten space

Barry Maynard and Frank Dyer III, both senior vice presidents of brokerage at Gill Properties, and associate broker Emily Vanasek represented the tenant in lease negotiations.

“Memphis is about to get a truly unique, family-focused destination unlike anything within a 75-mile radius,” Maynard said. “Once completed, Stomping Grounds will be a one-of-a-kind experience — essentially a giant playground designed for all ages.”

They also represented Wild Beet Salad Co., which opened this year in the adjacent The Farmer space at 2158 Central Ave.

“Parents can relax with a glass of wine and enjoy fresh, healthy options from Wild Beet, while kids run, play, and burn off energy in a safe, fun environment,” Maynard said. “It’s the kind of place where families can come for breakfast and stay all the way through dinner without ever needing to leave — a true all-day destination and a dream setup for parents.”

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