With heavy hearts, we share the passing of James Clark Ortkiese on July 12, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. A beloved member of the Memphis hospitality community, Clark was the co-founder of Crosstown Brewing Company and a passionate advocate for craft beer, golf, and most importantly—his family and community.
Born in Baton Rouge and raised in Memphis, Clark was a graduate of CBHS and Ole Miss. He is remembered for his vibrant spirit, generous heart, and deep love for his wife Katie, their children Harry and Ruby, and all those lucky enough to know him.
The Memphis Restaurant Association sends our condolences to the Ortkiese family and the entire Crosstown Brewing Company team. Clark’s legacy will live on in the community he helped build and the joy he brought to so many.
GET YOUR GOLF TEAMS READY! 18th Annual Thomas Boggs Golf Tournament Wednesday, October 22, 2025 | The Links at Galloway
Join us for a day on the green as we celebrate 18 years of great golf, great friends, and great fun!
-We expect to serve the last meal between 3-4pm, but that could change based on the speed of play!
-We will have putting contest entries, additional raffle entries, and mulligans for sale at registration.
🚗 Parking Reminder: Parking is limited—carpool if possible! Feel free to drop your bag in the roundabout—Galloway staff will assist. Then park and head to the clubhouse to enjoy breakfast and check in.
👕 Team Spirit: Wear your company polo or hat so we can celebrate all the great local support!
🏌️♂️ Support the 18th Annual Thomas Boggs Memorial Golf Tournament!
We’re gearing up for one of the MRA’s biggest events of the year—and we need YOUR help to make it a success!
🎁 We’re looking for:
Large giveaway items (think: electronics, experiences, branded coolers, etc.)
Restaurant gift cards
Small swag (keychains, koozies, pens, magnets, etc.)
Branded merch or literally anything you’d be willing to contribute!
Your donation will help us create a memorable experience for players, volunteers, and sponsors—while spotlighting your business to our entire network. Items will be included in player bags, raffles, or prize packages throughout the day.
📣 Sponsorships Are Also Still Available! Get your brand in front of our industry’s best by sponsoring part of the tournament!
Email Ronna at ronna@memphisrestaurants.com if you are interested in donating.
NFIB Delivers Major Legislative Victories for Tennessee Small Businesses
The 2025 legislative session is a wrap — and NFIB helped secure major victories for Tennessee’s small business community.
Highlights include: ✅ A proposed ban on statewide property tax ✅ Defeat of costly tort reform ✅ Stronger retail crime enforcement ✅ New protections for employers on state incentives
Join us at Zoo Rendezvous on Friday, September 5, at Prentiss Place — an amazing night of food, drinks, music, and magic at the Memphis Zoo!
Sample bites and sips from Memphis’s best restaurants, food trucks, and bars while dancing the night away under the emerald glow. This 21+ event supports animal care and conservation efforts, and it’s one of the Zoo’s biggest fundraisers of the year.
🎟️ Tickets are on sale now!
✨ Click your heels and get ready for the biggest bash of the year!
Still Memphis. Always a Standout. Crafted in the heart of Memphis, Old Dominick’s Memphis Vodka brings a refreshed spirit to your bar program—newer, purer, smoother, and still proudly local. Distilled with the finest water and charcoal-filtered for a clean, crisp finish, this premium vodka delivers the quality your guests expect and the Memphis authenticity they appreciate. Whether you’re curating a cocktail menu or stocking the back bar, Old Dominick is a smart, local choice that supports our industry and our city. “Make it Memphis” with every pour.
The Downtown Memphis Commission and Beale Street Management announce the second annual Patio Porkers on Beale competition*. The contest will invite 30 teams to world famous Beale Street to compete in a one-day smoke-off to determine the ultimate best of the backyard barbecuers and award over $4,000 in prize money!
The single-day contest will take place August 24th in Handy Park. Access to watch the competition is free and open to the public! And to satisfy those looking to eat barbecue, Beale Street has 10 restaurants** within walking distance of Handy Park that all serve barbecue every day of the year.
Come experience a Legendary performance honoring the life of BB King’s 100th Birthday! The 3 days worth of events begins on Sunday, September 14th, with a free music festival on Beale Street from 2-6 pm. On Tuesday, September 16th and 18th, we will continue the birthday parties inside BB King’s Blues Club with dinner and show style entertainment.
INDUSTRY LEADERS OPPORTUNITY- Looking for a great training or team building event about our city?
Discover Memphis and Enhance Your Memphis Knowledge
Join Welcome to Memphis for their monthly Insiders Tour, a 90-minute guided bus ride through Midtown and Downtown Memphis. Designed for local hospitality professionals, this tour highlights key attractions, amenities, and the rich history of our city.
Details:
When: Second Wednesday of every month at 9:30 AM
Where: Tennessee Welcome Center, 119 Riverside Drive (Free parking available)
Who: Hospitality professionals eager to deepen their Memphis knowledge
Cost: $10 per person (assists with transportation costs)
Equip yourself with insights to provide guests with authentic Memphis experiences.
