If You Go
What: Memo’s 50th Anniversary celebrationWhen: Feb. 23-25. Entertainment from 6-8 p.m. on Feb. 23-25.Where: 430 E. M.L.King Blvd.
Memo's Grill, one of the oldest and longest operating black-owned businesses on M.L.King Boulevard, specializes in the chop wiener. But as the enterprise marks its 50th anniversary this month, it also seeks to become known for showcasing the most talented artists in the city.
"This is a venue for artists to come and hone their skills and get exposure," said Wiley Morton of Morton Enterprises, a spokesman for the celebration.
If Memo's entertainment venture is successful, it will be one of several nightclubs and restaurants bringing performances back to the boulevard.
The Bessie Smith Cultural Center and Jazzanooga, located across the street from Memo's, both regularly host live entertainment. M.L. King Boulevard was once known for its entertainment in the 1960s and 1970s when the street was called "The Big 9." Then traffic on the street was so heavy that businesses, including Memo's, stayed open until 3 a.m., according to an online documentary citing Roosevelt "Chief" Jude, who has worked at the grill since 1974.
Local business owners and operators want to generate that type of demand again.
Memo's 50th anniversary three-day celebration is scheduled Feb. 23-25. Artists will perform each night from 6 to 8 p.m.
Former Riverbend participant and local R&B artist Clark Kint anticipates the combination of food and music will pack the restaurant.
"For Memo's to be bringing music in, that's really going to catch the younger crowd," said Kint, who will sing during the celebration.
Local Blues singer Jerry "Spoonz" Hayes, artist Joey Boaz, and Jazz Guitarist Alfred G. Smith, known as "the Doctor," will also perform.
Williams' father, Richard Williams Jr., purchased Memo's on the former Ninth Street in 1966. The business had the name Memo's when he bought it, said Williams. His father purchased that business at least a decade after he got a $2,000 loan from his father to open his first business, an ice cream stand on M.L. King Boulevard and Magnolia Avenue called Frozen Joy. Williams said his father was only 17 years old when he purchased the ice cream shop.
Williams' father married his employee Cora, who helped him operate Memo's after giving birth to his younger sister and restaurant co-owner, Mona Hammonds.
Williams' father operated both restaurants for about two years before closing Frozen Joy to focus solely on Memo's.
He created his own chili sauce that made the Memo's chop weiner plate legendary.
Williams' mother still lives but leaves business operations to him and his sister. His father died in January 2016, a month before his 80th birthday.
Williams credits Memo's customers for keeping them in business for a half century. The family said they've seen second and third generations of Memo's customers.
Mona credits her mother and father for creating a business that offered good food and customer service. Their parents taught them to treat people the way they wanted to be treated. That means any customer who left their belongings in Memo's could always rest assured that if a Memo's employee found it, it would be returned.
The eatery offers barbecue pork, beef and rib sandwiches and chicken wings. It serves ice cream and pecan pie for dessert.
Williams recently added chicken salad to his menu and anticipates having more menu options when the anniversary celebration begins.
Contact staff writer Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6431.