Of Memphis’ tales of humble beginnings, of which there are many, the fluctuating renaissance of the Cooper-Young neighborhood is certainly compelling throughout.

The area has cycled from its 19th century roots to 1970s crime and neglect to its present-day status as one of the largest historic districts in the Southeast, a magnet of all ages and walks of life. All thanks to individuals and organizations that wouldn’t settle for sub-par quality in their tiny town within the bustling Bluff City.

2. Tsunami Ushers in Holiday Artists Market - Friday, November 26, 2010

In the past two years eating local food has been promoted heavily in Memphis.

Now with the holiday-shopping season approaching, local artists are hoping that buying local gifts will take on the same kind of fervor.

3. Cooper-Young Festival Means Big Biz for Neighborhood - Friday, September 17, 2010

The music will be funky, the art will be eclectic, and the streets will be crowded with people in a slow-moving parade of tattoos and sunglasses, but organizers of Memphis’ largest one-day street festival, the Cooper-Young Festival, said business longevity is at the heart of it all.

4. Lux to Reopen in New Cooper-Young Locale - Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Lux owner Tadd Feazell is reopening his clothing store right after ending a going-out-of-business sale.

He swears the sale was not a marketing ploy. The store is coming back to life because he was offered a new location he couldn’t pass up, Feazell said.

5. Cooper-Young’s Lux Closes Shop - Friday, May 14, 2010

Lux, a Cooper-Young clothing store known for its edgy styles, will close by July 1.

Owner Tadd Feazell said diminished sales during the economic downturn have spurred him to free himself from the obligations of running the store. Lux, at 906 S. Cooper St., opened in 2004.

6. Art Infusion - Tuesday, April 06, 2010

Frank Roberts, the owner of nine businesses in six buildings known collectively as The Palladio Group, understands the way to best use retail space.

7. Midtown Nursery Expands in Time for Green Season - Monday, March 01, 2010

A nursery in Midtown whose owner likes to jump at opportunities will spread its green thumb to two new locations in time for planting season this year.

By temporarily taking over two well-known sites of now-closed nurseries, Mike Earnest, owner of Midtown Nursery at 2120 Central Ave. at Cooper Street, hopes to cross-promote his permanent location.

8. Cooper-Young Festival Revs Up for 22nd Edition Despite Economic Woes - Monday, September 21, 2009

A groundbreaking event at the Mid-South Fairgrounds, some highly anticipated chicken sandwiches, and even a band of Iguanas highlight the 22nd annual Cooper-Young Festival taking place Saturday.

Organizers said despite the bad economy, the festival must go on.

9. Sweet Bistro Memphis Closes - Monday, April 20, 2009

Sweet Bistro Memphis, the place in Cooper-Young where people could go for a slice of Bavarian strawberry cake or a tipsy mango martini to top off a dinner, closed its doors Wednesday.

Paula Naumcheff, the owner of the dessert business, locked the doors and posted a sign attributing the decision to close on the economy. Sweet opened at 938 S. Cooper St. in 2007.

10. Puckett Brings Acupuncture to Cooper-Young - Friday, January 16, 2009

Across the street from the Tsunami Pacific-Rim cuisine restaurant in the Cooper-Young neighborhood, Jessica Puckett is readying the building at 917 S. Cooper St. for its new life.

11. LUCB Approves Cordova Wal-Mart, Cooper-Young Restaurant - Tuesday, July 15, 2008

A new restaurant in the Cooper-Young neighborhood and a Wal-Mart Supercenter in Cordova are closer to reality following their respective approvals at last week’s Memphis-Shelby County Land Use Control Board meeting.

12. Party in the Neighborhood: Cooper-Young event to mirror S. Main trolley tour - Monday, March 03, 2008

Cheryl Mesler, who co-owns Burke's Book Store in Midtown with her husband, Corey, is doubly excited about the book signing happening in April to promote Corey's new book of poems, "Some Identity Problems."

13. Archived Article: Mata (lead) - Tuesday, November 26, 2002
Cooper-Young businesses dont trust light rail plan

Cooper-Young business owners skeptical of MATA plan

By SUE KIRSTEIN

The Daily News

Plans to build a light rail system extension from Downtown to the airport have Cooper-Young area reside...