Overton Square celebrates its revival during 45th anniversary event

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Midtown neighborhood celebrated its comeback 45 years in the making.

Overton Square has seen its ups and downs.

Several years ago, many store fronts sat empty, but now the swanky neighborhood has turned things around.

“It was so dead for so long. To see it come back like this, it’s unbelievable,” said Ron Hall of Memphis.

The neighborhood was buzzing in the 70s with restaurants, bars and music.

Folks WREG talked to said it was the real deal.

Sadly, the square fell apart.

It became no stranger to empty store fronts until some developers moved in a few years ago and gave it another shot.

Now, it’s thriving.

Businesses have opened up and down the block.

There’s even plans of an upscale hotel.

Lafayette’s Music Room opened in October.

“Putting a restaurant in Overton Square right now is kind of like cheating. It’s such a hot area and has so much going on right now. It’s like if you know what you’re doing, it’s hard not to be successful here,” said the General Manager Alex Boggs.

Other blighted neighborhoods in the city are hoping for the same success.

Broad Avenue continues to grow, and Sears Crosstown is getting a major facelift.

Folks on the square said that’s a good thing.

“Success breeds success. It does no good for Lafayette’s to have failing businesses in areas around us. We want a thriving community,” said Boggs.

“It’s good that you don’t just have one or two areas everyone goes to. You want to spread it out,” said Hall.

The 45th anniversary celebration continues through Saturday.

It’s free too.

The party is happening in Tower Courtyard on Trimble Place next to the Overton Square Garage.

The lineup is as follows…

Thursday, May 21 / Tower Courtyard