What is the story about?
Many restaurants in the Memphis area have closed due to severe winter weather. Some businesses have changed their hours, while others have shut down for
the entire weekend. Ice, snow, and freezing temperatures have made roads unsafe, forcing many restaurants to close for safety. Still, a few restaurants are open with limited hours for people who want to eat out or order food. Restaurant owners and officials warn that hours can change quickly if weather conditions get worse. Customers are advised to call the restaurant before going out. The restaurant closures come as a winter storm, named Storm Fern, affects a large portion of the United States.
Which Restaurants Are Open?
Several Memphis restaurants have confirmed they will remain open. These include 10th Inning Sports Bar & Grill, Blues City Cafe, Bog and Barley, Briza, Brookhaven Pub and Grill, Celtic Crossing, and Gibson’s Donuts.
Some locations are operating with reduced hours. Cocozza Harbor Town is open from 4 to 7 pm on January 24, while Cocozza East is closed the same day. JoJo’s Espresso plans to close early at 1 pm. Rancho Grande is open until 9 pm.
Tops Bar-B-Q & Burgers has also kept multiple locations open, including Jackson Avenue, Union, Summer/Berclair, Poplar Avenue, Bartlett, and Hacks Cross, starting service at 11 a.m.
At the same time, dozens of restaurants across Memphis have shut their doors due to the storm. Popular spots such as Central BBQ, Huey’s, Babalu, The Arcade, The Majestic Grille, Restaurant Iris, Rendezvous, and The Commissary are among those closed, many until further notice. Some restaurants expect to reopen in the coming days, while others are waiting for safer conditions.
Winter Storm Forecast
A winter storm called Storm Fern is affecting a large part of the United States. The storm is expected to move from Texas all the way to New England, bringing ice, snow, sleet, and very cold temperatures.
The National Weather Service stated the storm started in Texas and Oklahoma and is moving east into the South. Heavy snow is expected in the Northeast, including cities like Washington DC, New York, and Boston, where up to a foot of snow could fall.
Officials warned that the weather could get worse quickly, making travel dangerous and delaying deliveries.
What's Open And What's Closed?
Some businesses may remain open if staff can travel safely. Grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, and hospitals usually continue operating, though with reduced hours or limited staffing.
Bars, hotel restaurants, and neighborhood eateries sometimes stay open during storms, especially when customers can walk there.
Food delivery apps may continue to operate, but service often drops sharply as roads become icy and drivers choose not to work. Some restaurants may switch to takeout only or limit service to nearby areas.
The National Weather Service advised households to prepare supplies for up to a week, including non-perishable food, water, medications, batteries, and emergency kits, in case roads remain blocked or services are suspended.
Walmart stated it will keep stores open as long as conditions are safe. Kroger said it aims to operate stores during regular hours and has activated emergency plans to restock essential items like bread, milk, eggs, and water.
Publix also said it is adjusting deliveries and production schedules while prioritizing safety for workers and customers.
