The restaurant isn’t even open, and yet there’s already a ton of excitement in the air.
Arriving at Hive’s new East Memphis location, in the former Holiday Deli & Ham Co. spot at 585 Erin Drive, you get the sense that something significant — and extremely delicious — is taking shape.
The completely renovated space has the energy of a bakeshop and café not just opening its doors, but establishing itself as a major new presence in the White Station/Poplar area.
East Memphis residents have been ecstatic with news of its launch ever since construction began in early 2026. And it’s been hard not to notice. Whether you’re picking up takeout at the next-door
Huey’s or kibble for your doggy at the nearby Hollywood Feed, Hive's impending arrival has been excitedly embraced.
And now, just days before its anticipated Aug. 30 opening, all the last-minute details are getting ironed out.
Impromptu runs to Collierville to get new seating upholstery. Talk of printing new menus. General managers are training the brand-new server staff, emphasizing the difference between a chai latte and a dirty one. (Answer: A dirty one has a shot of espresso in it.)
Outside, power washers can be found spraying the concrete at the front entrance. And inside, owner Josh Steiner, in his traditional white chef’s coat, appears upbeat and jovial. His enthusiasm about the new location is obvious.
“I’m really excited about serving even more people in this city,” the Memphis native said. “More seating. More opportunities. More people.”
And what motivated Steiner to expand from his Downtown flagship location?
“Providing pastries for East Memphis,” he said, smiling.
But Hive is known for more than just pastries.
The original Hive Bagel & Deli opened at 276 Front St. in 2023. It immediately became a vibrant Downtown hotspot, unlike anything else in the city. Memphis is known for many things: barbecue, but not necessarily incredible — and incredibly substantial — hearty, deli-style, ingredients-first bagel sandwiches.
Such creative, generous spins on the breakfast and lunchtime staple include Uber Eats favorite The Bagel & Lox (cured salmon, red onion, chive-and-onion cream cheese, capers and tomato) and the monstrous Front Street (corned beef, Swiss, mustard, and pickle).
Also another choice option, which bears mentioning again, is the BLTA, which stands for bacon, lettuce, tomato and avocado, and for an added bonus, Swiss and cream cheese.
The Downtown Hive is famous for having lines around the block, even selling out of items. Therefore, it’s no surprise the "seed-to-plate concept" expanded east. And not only is it expanding, the second location is a considerably larger space.
“Just under 4,000 square feet,” Steiner informed us.
The first thing you notice when entering the East Memphis location — apart from its size — is how attractive the space is. You could easily imagine the Food Network’s Ina Garten stopping in for a loaf of sourdough.
“My wife (business partner Wallis Tosi) designed it, with her mom. She has her own design firm, Karen Adams Designs on Madison Avenue. They designed the Downtown location, too. And all the furnishings, fabrics, everything is locally sourced. Down to the doorknobs on the front doors. They’re from the Metal Museum.”
Hive is named after the hobby Steiner and Tosi developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, he explained. They took up beekeeping and began making their own honey. That house-made nectar is then used to help make their other passion: bread.
It’s in many of their sweet baked goods, croissants, even their bagels, which are boiled in honey and water to create that golden, crispy crust that Memphians have loved for the last three years.
All those honey-loving locals will love to know that the East Memphis location isn’t just bigger, so is its menu.
“We’ve definitely extended it,” said Steiner, a graduate of Lausanne Collegiate School. “It will feature more sandwiches, soups, pies, lots more options.”
And the best part: Hive East Memphis will have longer hours.
The Downtown Hive is open seven days a week, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m., but the East Memphis location will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. This will allow for more lingering about, possible early family dinners and the busy worker bee to grab a pizza or chicken chop chop bagel after work.
So, when all is said and done, and the first customers likely swarm Erin Drive for Steiner’s culinary creations, what is he most excited about with this new venture?
“Bringing East Memphis fresh food and fresh ingredients.”
Hive uses all-natural, fresh local ingredients and everything, from the breads to the marinara and pesto, even the cream cheese is made from scratch.
“We want Memphis to come here for breakfast, for lunch. But because we’re open later here, we want to give a coffee vibe to the area. I think it’s needed. We just want to give everyone a place to hang out and have great food.”
Brian Strickland is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. Contact him at brian.strickland@commercialappeal.com.
To keep up with the latest news from the Memphis food and dining scene, sign up here for our Eat Drink Memphis weekly newsletter.
Hive in East Memphis
Where: 585 Erin Drive
Hours: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. every day
Website: hivebagelanddeli.com
Social Media: instagram.com/hivebagelanddeli and facebook.com/hivebagelanddeli
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Why Hive is creating buzz with soon-to-open East Memphis restaurant
