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Bar Limina Receives Grant for Exterior Improvement

News Summary

Bar Limina in Memphis has been awarded a $14,650 grant to enhance its exterior, including sidewalk repairs, landscaping, and new signage. This funding is part of a revitalization effort for the Edge District. Additionally, a new dive bar called Gussied Up is planned to open nearby, offering unique dining options. While home sales in Memphis have declined by 10.4%, pending sales are on the rise. Concurrently, a new senior living facility, Edgeview at Legends Park, is set to open, enhancing community living for older residents.

Memphis – Bar Limina has been awarded a $14,650 Exterior Improvement Grant to enhance its exterior appearance. This funding will cover essential upgrades such as sidewalk and curb repairs, landscaping improvements, new fabric canopies over the facade windows, and the installation of a new sign.

The financial backing was announced as part of broader efforts by the Downtown Memphis Commission to revitalize the Edge District, where several new restaurants are slated to open. The Center City Development Board had previously approved a $30,000 grant for these improvements on May 22, as reported by local commercial real estate and economic development experts.

In addition to Bar Limina’s upgrade, chefs and owners from multifaceted businesses such as the Secret Smash Society, Hard Times Deli, and Kinfolk are planning to establish a new dive bar named Gussied Up. This venture will be located at 655 Marshall Ave, strategically positioned next to Hard Times Deli. The anticipated total cost for the buildout of Gussied Up is estimated at $240,000, with an application for a $30,000 retail improvement grant submitted to the Center City Development Corporation.

Gussied Up is set to offer unique dining experiences, including a “hidden drive-thru window” specifically for its Secret Smash Society burgers, further diversifying the appeal of the Edge District culinary scene.

As the local restaurant landscape evolves, home sales in Memphis have experienced a significant decline, with a nearly 10.4% drop compared to last year, according to statistics from the Memphis Area Association of Realtors (MAAR). Year-to-date, 4,480 homes have been sold in 2025, down from 5,000 in 2024. Monthly home sales in April 2025 were also down by 18.3% from the same month in the previous year.

Despite the decrease in sales, pending sales saw an 8.3% increase toward the end of April 2025. The inventory of homes has risen to 4,037, exceeding 4,000 for the first time since March 2023. There was, however, an increase in the average sales price of homes by 3.8% compared to last year.

Examining specific areas, East Memphis, Cordova, and Whitehaven emerged as the most active real estate submarkets, accounting for 26.5% of total home sales. Conversely, South Memphis reported a notable 25.5% decrease in homes sold compared to the previous year, while Whitehaven experienced a 6.1% increase in activity.

In a parallel development within the community, on May 19, Capstone Build Corp announced the opening of Edgeview at Legends Park, a new 99-unit senior residency facility. The project, valued at $17.6 million, began construction in January 2024 and is located at 981 Peach Ave in the Downtown Memphis Medical District. The facility aims to serve residents aged 62 and older, offering one- and two-bedroom apartments along with various support services and amenities.

The Memphis Housing Authority and Pennrose will manage Edgeview at Legends Park, designed with an emphasis on community-centered living that aims to significantly improve the quality of life for its residents. A ceremonial groundbreaking for the facility was held in December 2023, marking a milestone in its community development efforts.