MIDTOWN MEMPHIS
dancers, dogs, parks, runners, colleges
DOG-FRIENDLY SHOPPING
Memphis has a large number of good dogs and responsible owners. It also has a large number of businesses and bureaucrats that exclude dogs and dog walkers for no particular reason.
I love walking through Midtown, doing my errands on foot, and being accompanied by my dog. We have identified a number of friendly businesses within our radius where we can bank, buy books, wine, hardware, plants, etc. without suffering anti-dog discrimination. (Which is a pretty stupid form of discrimination when you think about it, since 40% of American homes have dogs. And plenty of us are fed up with being treated like second class citizens just because we are walking with a tail-wagging friend.)
Stonewall and I want to share our favorites with other dog lovers. Both Europe and other parts of the U.S. are far more accepting of dogs and their owners than our particular area. They have found that dogs present no problem and they welcome them in all manner of establishments. We vote with our feet and our dollars to support the Memphis businesses that are sensible about dogs. Most of them are pleasant, locally-owned shops that are well worth supporting on other grounds as well.
ERNEST KELLY'S LIST OF DOG-FRIENDLY BUSINESSES
Here is my current list. Please e-mail us to add your favorites (or to report bad experiences.) Or share your comments at the DOG-FRIENDLY FORUM on this site.
The list comes with two caveats: 
First, I assume that the dog is leashed, clean, friendly, and not inclined to mistake the inventory for a fireplug. Second, businesses with multiple outlets may vary their practice from store to store.
BOOK STORES
BURKE’S BOOKSTORE, 936 S. Cooper near the Cooper-Young corner. In addition to being a great Memphis tradition since 1875, it’s a charming family-owned store with a good inventory of old and historic books. They can quickly order new books and CDs, if they do not have them on the shelf. http://burkesbooks.com/ or 278-7484
THE EPISCOPAL BOOKSHOP, 672 Poplar at the west side of the St. Mary's parking lot. A pleasant nook with religious books and gifts. 527-5684
THE ENGLISH MAJOR BOOK STORE is a friendly place to shop for used books. Dogs are welcome but need to be prepared for the two resident small dogs and the cat. 1700 Madison, just east of Belvedere. 725-1478
WINE and LIQUOR
JOE’S WINES AND LIQUOR 1681 Poplar at Belvedere (the one with the Sputnik sign) is tied with Burke’s for my most dog-friendly award. A number of dogs come in there; they heartily welcome Stonewall and usually stock dog biscuits. 725-4252
BANKING
THE INDEPENDENT BANK at 1711 Union across from Idlewild Church, 844-2050, is where Stonewall and I do our banking. I recommend introducing your dog when you open your account. After years of dog-friendly banking at NBC, I ran into arbitrary exclusion when it became Suntrust, and I moved my accounts the next day.
RESTAURANT DECKS and PATIOS
FINO’S FROM THE HILL, in the Gilmore Apartment Building at Madison and McLean is a wonderful Italian restaurant and deli. It has some tables on the sidewalk, and the people there are very fond of dogs. From a culinary and shopping standpoint, it is one of the gems of Midtown—you can feed a family on excellent entrees, salad and dessert for a modest price. 272-3466
CAFE SOCIETY: an outstanding restaurant at 212 North Evergreen. Dogs are welcome in the sidewalk enclosure, but there is no gate so they must be lifted over the railing. Think about it before bringing your Saint Bernard. 272-2178
CAFE ECLECTIC, 603 N. McLean at Faxon is a welcome addition to the scene west of Rhodes College and Overton Park. It has a great breakfast and a fine selection of light meals coffees and sandwiches. The fenced sidewalk area welcomes dogs. 725-1718
OTHERLANDS: a funky Cooper-Young establishment that admits dogs to its rear deck. 641 S. Cooper, 278-4994.
HARDWARE STORES and NURSERIES
GATE CITY HARDWARE AND PAINT at 2500 Summer is dog-friendly and a very helpful place with repair questions. They are at the top of my list on all counts. 450-3050
STEWART BROTHERS, another Memphis institution, welcomes good dogs at its Midtown location at 1340 Madison, 726-1922 and its newer location in Bartlett at 7715 Highway 70, 377-1234.
HOME DEPOT stores once welcomed my dogs at all locations. Our Midtown store is still dog-friendly, but in the past year I have encountered an uncooperative "risk manager" at the Germantown store and another empoyee who thinks that "federal law" prohibits dogs in stores. We also had an unsatisfactory experience recently at the Germantown LOWES.
In my experience almost all nurseries welcome dogs, including DAN WEST at 4763 Poplar, TREES BY TOULIATOS at 2020 East Brooks, and the various STRINGER'S locations. Midtown's new nursery at the corner of Central and Cooper is very friendly to dogs and people.
ENTERTAINMENT and GENERAL SHOPPING
MIDTOWN VIDEO at 1604 Union, 272-7000 is reliably dog-friendly.
SUPER D at 1800 Union. Unlike Walgreens and the larger chains, it accepts well-behaved dogs. 726-4444
The ARLINGTON FARMERS’ MARKET adjacent to the historic S. Y. WILSON GENERAL STORE admits them. 867-2226. Memphis’ downtown farmers’ market excludes dogs, but a free dog-sitting tent is available. The Agricenter Farmers Market used to admit dogs but now excludes them for no obvious reason.
THE ART CENTER SUPPLY STORE at 1636 Union, 274-0952 is a very dog friendly venue for art supplies and for framing.
WOLF’S CAMERA at 1540 Union is also dog-friendly. 278-1230
OUTDOORS, INC. at 1710 Union is very dog-friendly and an excellent place for outdoor equipment and clothing. 722-8988,www.outdoorsinc.com
BREAKAWAY ATHLETICS now moved to 1997 Union is a center for athletic shoes and running gear. 722-8797 www.breakawaymemphis.com
MUSE INSPIRED FASHION, 517 South Main. Get your dog's opinion when you shop for fine clothing. 526-8737
We are told that TRACTOR SUPPLY STORES, SPORTSMAN'S WAREHOUSE, and PRO BASS are all dog-friendly.
BARBER SHOPS
THE HAIR DEN at 3340 Poplar between East High and the Plaza. 458-1179
PET STORES
HOLLYWOOD FEED, 2648 Broad, is our favorite of many fine pet shops. They are super friendly to dogs and furnish related services such as a bath parlor and lessons by trainer, Sam Jones. 452-2474
Pet stores including PETCO and PET SMART stores can be relied on to be dog-friendly.
TRAVELERS
An increasing number of hotels and motels welcome pets. This includes a number from all parts of Memphis. HERE IS A LINK that gives information for Memphis and links to other cities.
NURSING HOMES and ELDER CARE FACILITIES
Most facilities are figuring out that a canine presence for the elderly is emotionally and medically beneficial. There is documented evidence of lowered blood pressure and low anxiety levels, as well as just pleasure for the elderly, when good dogs visit. If you are interested, have a look at our page on therapy dogs.
WESLEY HIGHLAND PLACE allows visiting dogs. It is a pleasant small facility that does not go in for a lot of unnecessary rules and has admitted mannered pets without the need for certification. 325-7828
TREZEVANT MANOR and the ALLEN MORGAN NURSING HOME at 177 North Highland are undergoing an expansion and becoming much more welcoming to dogs. Stonewall and I make frequent visits at the nursing home and he very popular there. Other therapy dogs may call, and residents can have visits from their personal dogs. 325-4000
THE PARKVEW, at 1914 Poplar, beautifully situated at the southwest corner of Overton Park, permits residents to own dogs as well as enjoy canine visitors. 725-4606
