Green Eatery Plans to Cushion the Move Downtown for Law Students

 "Local, Seasonal and Delectable" is the motto of Market Café, a new restaurant that caters to environmentally responsible patrons. 

Employees at the Market Café said the restaurant could cushion the move for University of Memphis law school students and faculty, who will be moving to a new location downtown Jan. 16. The café, which is on Madison Avenue between Second Street and Third Street, is about two blocks from The U of M Cecil C. Humphrey's School of Law construction site.

Steve Mulroy, associate professor of law and Shelby County commissioner, said the restaurant was "a great development for the law school and downtown." 

"I believe that there is a market for locally grown, organic food that is affordable for students and faculty," he said. "If the law school can be a catalyst for this kind of development, it will be good for Memphis."

The eatery will serve gourmet-quality meals for $10 per person Mondays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The café's chef, Kjeld Petersen, will create the dining selection from locally grown produce and will change the menu regularly to adapt to regional and seasonal foods.

Ed Bell, manager of the café and a partner of the ownership group Nouveau Memphis, said the restaurant would welcome a fresh wave of downtown students.

"It's not all about the dollars," Bell said. "We want to provide a comfortable environment for students, bankers and attorneys."

As part of its green mission, Market Café has begun the certification process of Project Green Fork's grassroots campaign that encourages restaurants to develop eco-friendly practices, like donating kitchen scraps to local gardens.

John D. Smith, president of OUTLAW - a law school oriented student organization that promotes civil rights for the gay population - said he is looking forward to enjoying a quick bite to eat at the new café.

"Everybody's up to their eyeballs with class and court cases," Smith said. "I'd personally be happy to check it out. We eat what we can, when we can."

Despite the recent loss of businesses in the downtown area due to the recession, Bell is confident that Market Café will weather the storm because of its green principles.

"I think it's a trend across the nation," Bell said. " I think that customers who understand what we are doing here will support us." 

David Wyant, third year law student, said businesses around the new law school would welcome the support from students. 

"People will start frequenting places near the law school," he said. 

"All of the downtown businesses should get a jolt."

Michelle Bliss, recent law school graduate of The U of M, said some students would welcome the new eatery's nutritious menu.

"Law students have a habit of eating a lot of pizza and junk food," Bliss said. "So it is good that there will be a healthy option for food so close to the school."
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