Downtown Memphis breakfast-and-lunch cafe By the Brewery closes at 496 Tennessee Street after several years
Closure confirmed near Tennessee Brewery apartments
By the Brewery, a breakfast-and-lunch café in Downtown Memphis’ South Main area, has permanently closed at 496 Tennessee St. The shutdown was reported publicly on February 16, 2026, ending a run that began in 2021.
The café operated near the Tennessee Brewery apartments and other South Main destinations, positioning itself as a daytime option for residents, downtown workers, and visitors. In recent months, it continued to appear in local dining guides and event promotions listing its location and daytime hours.
A small-format concept built around daytime service
By the Brewery’s business model centered on morning and early-afternoon service rather than dinner. Public-facing business materials described a compact dining room with seating for roughly 40 guests, alongside limited outdoor seating when weather permitted. Operating hours were typically concentrated between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, with breakfast offered during the morning and extended on weekends.
The restaurant was founded by Robin Joyce, who had previously worked in catering. Earlier coverage of the business highlighted its efforts to establish a niche during the pandemic-era period, with plans at the time to expand beverage options through licensing.
Menu positioning and participation in downtown promotions
The café marketed itself with a breakfast/brunch identity, emphasizing biscuit-based items, sandwiches, salads, and coffee. Local visitor and downtown promotion listings highlighted customer favorites such as a fried-chicken biscuit with house pickles and sriracha honey, along with avocado-and-egg breakfast sandwiches. The restaurant also promoted private events, presenting the space as suitable for small gatherings such as showers and rehearsal dinners.
By the Brewery was included in Downtown Dining Week 2025 materials, which aimed to support downtown restaurants and hospitality workers through prix-fixe-style deals and promotional packages. Its participation indicated an active effort to remain visible within the district’s organized dining calendar.
What is known — and what remains unclear
No public explanation for the closure had been issued in available materials at the time the shutdown was reported. There was also no announced timeline for a replacement tenant at the storefront.
The closure reduces the number of dedicated breakfast-and-lunch destinations clustered along Tennessee Street and nearby blocks, an area anchored by historic redevelopment and residential growth around the former Tennessee Brewery property.
Business: By the Brewery
Last-known location: 496 Tennessee St., Memphis
Service focus: breakfast, brunch, lunch
Public closure reporting date: February 16, 2026
For customers, the impact is immediate: one fewer daytime café option in a part of Downtown where breakfast-and-lunch service is concentrated in a small set of storefronts.