Downtown Memphis is getting new eats and new brews soon.

On Wednesday, Dec. 12, the Center City Development Corp. approved a pair of $30,000 retail improvement grants for JEM Dining in the Edge District and Memphis Filling Station in South Main.

JEM (Just Enjoy the Moment) Dining chef/owner Josh Mutchnick plans to open a new 3,400-square-foot restaurant at 644 Madison Ave. The space is alongside Rootstock Wine Merchants. In October 2022, the Center City Development Corp. approved a $40,000 improvement grant for Rootstock.

"It is a strategically important retail node within the Edge District," DMC planning manager Brian Mykulyn said.

Mutchnick launched his JEM Dining pop-up dinners in 2022 and is looking to create a brick-and-mortar location for the restaurant concept. During the meeting Mutchnick described JEM as "approachable fine dining."

The $30,000 retail grant will be used for interior buildout for the $228,000 total construction cost, according to the grant application. Memphis-based CNCT design is the architect for the project.

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The Edge District site was previously planned for Three of Cups Wine Bar. Three of Cups Wine Bar owner Jake Smith is close to finalizing a new location for Three of Cups. The design for the JEM Dining space mirrors some of the design features for Three of Cups. (The wine bar was previously awarded a $30,000 retail improvement via Center City Development Corp in October 2022.)

Mykulyn said the previously awarded grant is rescinded because Three of Cups is no longer in the works at that location.

Memphis Filling Station

Additionally, the board approved a $30,000 grant for Memphis Filling Station at 206 G.E. Patterson Ave. The craft brewery will be located in the former Crossfit Hit and Run site.

The 4,300-square-foot space will include a tap room and brewery. The brewery also has plans to use the adjacent outdoor space for food trucks and outdoor events, along with possible future expansions for the site, according to the grant application.

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The grant funds will be used to help with interior improvements for the $220,000 project.

Memphis Filling Station has been operating as a pop-up business for the last several years and is co-owned by Bryan Berretta, Heather Reed, Jesse Lara, Scott Kley-Contini and Blake Marcum.

Neil Strebig is a journalist with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at neil.strebig@commercialappeal.com, 901-426-0679 or via X: @neilStrebig

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: New restaurant, brewery planned in Downtown Memphis. What to expect