Just east of Memphis lies a town seemingly right out of midcentury America. The shady park, community bandstand, and fifties classics wafting from storefront speakers evoke nostalgia, but downtown Collierville is anything but dated. Well-known Memphis restaurateur Mac Edwards is opening a new eatery, Brooks Pharm 2 Fork, in the old Brooks Pharmacy on Mulberry Street. And the former post office will soon be home to 148 North, an upscale French-Southern eatery. Strolling past the plentiful shops, boutiques, and restaurants, it’s easy to see why Parade magazine recently recognized the town as home to “America’s Best Main Street,” selecting it from more than 2,000 nominees. Get a taste of local history at the Morton Museum, just a couple of blocks north of the square. Situated in a historical church, the museum presents exhibitions on a range of subjects, from the city’s once-booming dairy industry to its connections to that all-American pastime, baseball. After your visit, spend the day exploring the special spots that make this downtown a winner indeed.
The Brooks Collection
This garden and gift shop stocks great Southern-made items, including Peter’s Pottery out of Mound Bayou, Mississippi; patterned Spartina 449 handbags and wallets made on Daufuskie Island; and Charleston-based Rewined candles, poured in repurposed wine bottles. brookscollection.com
Patricia’s Boutique
Pick out a handmade necklace or pair of earrings from Collierville-based Kitzi Jewelry on the shop’s clothing and accessories side. Then cross over to the home goods section for T. Puterbaugh Gill and Fingerprint pottery, both made in Mississippi, and paintings by various Southeastern artists. patriciasonthesquare.com
Hewlett & Dunn Jean & Boot Barn
Get fitted for handmade, custom boots, or choose from high-end brands such as Lucchese and Rod Patrick. Peruse the different rooms—featuring displays of vintage radios and antique tools—to score denim, Western apparel, hats, belts, and buckles for the entire family. hewlettdunn.com
Dixie Pickers
Dawn and Damon Waxler stock new and vintage items in their expertly curated “mantique” situated in the town’s former hardware store. Pick up Steiner sports memorabilia, socks from Nashville’s Odd Fellow Sock Co., preppy bowties, and university gear. Selling everything from Aftco fishing apparel to Yeti coolers, this is a mecca for sports-loving, outdoorsy, Southern gentlemen. dixiepickersstore.com
Cafe Piazza
Indulge in fettuccine with crawfish etouffe—a local favorite—at this Italian restaurant run by husband-and-wife team Pat and MaryBeth Lucchesi. In addition to pastas, pizzas, sandwiches, and salads, Mary Beth’s homemade cakes, cannoli, and tiramisu are worth the caloric splurge. cafepiazzaonline.com
Bazaar
Impress your next dinner-party host with a bottle of blood orange olive oil or cranberry-pear balsamic vinegar from this self-proclaimed “crazy little food shop.” Proprietors John and Sandy Barrios offer a variety of infused oils and vinegars, as well as spices, salts, gourmet wares, and racks of recipe cards offering culinary inspiration. bazaaroliveoil.com
Dyer’s
More than a century ago, Elmer “Doc” Dyer opened a cafe and began serving his secret-recipe skillet-grilled burgers. Go for “Doc’s Original” served the old-fashioned way—two patties, cheese, mustard, pickle, and onion. Wash it down with a chocolate shake or Coke float, and soak up the red-checkered-tablecloth nostalgia. dyerscollierville.com
Natural Creations
Visit designer Tim Miller’s shop for new, reproduction, and antique furniture, as well as luxury bedding, scented candles, and other home decor items. Miller also designs custom florals for weddings (his resume includes the nuptials of George Jones and Tammy Wynette’s daughter, Georgette) and elaborate Christmas displays. timsnaturalcreations.com
