Whitehaven will be in the spotlight through this weekend as the I Love Whitehaven Neighborhood and Business Association holds its third annual I Love Whitehaven Weekend.
Activities kicked off Tuesday (Nov. 17) and run through Sunday (Nov. 22). Among the activities is the Holiday Marketplace, Saturday (Nov. 21), noon to 3 p.m. at Whitehaven Plaza.
Whitehaven Plaza at Raines Road and Elvis Presley Boulevard was selected because the Memphis 3.0 assessment of Whitehaven that identified this property as an “anchor” and the best location in Whitehaven for new brick and mortar businesses.
The Marketplace idea came from Pearl Walker in 2018, who felt there should be something for Christmas parade attendees to do after the parade, while they still were in Whitehaven.
“It was really bugging me for all of these people to descend onto the area, and leave as soon as the parade is over,” Walker said.
Whitehaven advocates hope the event, despite the fact there will be no Christmas parade this year, still will spotlight Whitehaven, while garnering support for small businesses and encouraging community pride.
The Marketplace will host multiple businesses and organizations promoting their goods and services.
Participating including businesses offering apparel, gifts baskets, jewelry, hand-crafted items, financial services. Also, Memphis Tilth, Mid-South Kwanzaa and food trucks.
Visitors can enjoy a live entertainment and view a nontraditional Christmas Tree decorating demonstration.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, protocols will be observed, including temperature checks and sign ins. The marketplace will have a separate entrance and exit.
The Shelby County Health Department has approved the marketplace’s protocols, according to Walker.
Whitehaven is the largest African-American community in the Mid-South, with the highest average per capita household income of $45,000. It also is the largest African-American voting bloc in the Mid-South.
The ILWW is produced by the ILWBNA in conjunction with a grant from Community Lift and sponsored by Motherland Gallery (http://communitylift.org/memphis-empowerment-fund/).
Motherland Gallery came on board as a sponsor in hopes to bring attention to their storefront located in Whitehaven Plaza at 4080 Elvis Presley that was closed for several weeks due to the coronavirus.
“First business really slowed down, plus me and my wife Maxine are elderly with pre-existing conditions and were afraid to engage with the public.” said owner Stanley Taylor. “We are praying that things will pick up for the holidays.”
Other events include:
- A talent show Sunday (Nov. 22).
- The lighting of the holiday display at Graceland, which will be virtual on the Graceland Facebook page, Thursday (Nov. 19).
- A virtual care-givers workshop at 7 p.m. Wednesday (Nov. 18).
- A news and information session titled Whitehaven 411, hosted by Walker, at 3 p.m. Friday (Nov. 20).
- The Whitehaven Live Spoken Word & Talent Showcase at 2 p.m. Sunday (Nov. 22), an in-person event at The Check-in food truck at 1798 Winchester Rd. and streamed live on the marketplace Facebook page.
Information to access the virtual events is available on the Whitehaven Vendors Marketplace page on Facebook marketplace Facebook page.
(For information contact Pearl Walker 901-289-6909.)
