Raymah Cafe, a new coffee shop concept, is getting ready to move into the long-vacant Applebee's building at 3895 Hacks Cross Road in southeast Memphis. Filings show the former chain restaurant is being converted into a neighborhood café, and early activity at the site points to a visible buildout already in motion. Folks along Hacks Cross can expect to start seeing contractors on-site and new signage go up as the project works through permitting.
Permits Show Buildout Is Underway
According to What Now Memphis, Raymah has submitted paperwork to the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development and currently has a sign permit under review. Contractor listings also show a commercial electrical permit at 3895 Hacks Cross Road that covers a coffee machine, lighting, and counter-area circuits, an indication that the interior buildout is in progress, per BuildZoom. The filings so far do not include a public opening date or a menu.
The Space And The Neighborhood
The café is set to occupy a freestanding restaurant building marketed at roughly 7,300 square feet at 3895 Hacks Cross Road, in the Southwind retail corridor with big-box neighbors and the nearby FedEx World Headquarters, according to Colliers. Business directories list the address as a former Applebee's location, which helps explain the existing kitchen footprint and parking that make it appealing for a café conversion, per MapQuest. That visibility along Hacks Cross Road could give the new coffee spot an easy shot at both drive-by and neighborhood customers.
What Raymah Might Serve
Raymah Cafe does not yet have an official website or social media accounts, and Google only shows the concept in a cursory way. What Now Memphis reports it is a "reasonable assumption" that the shop may focus on Yemeni-style coffee, although the owners have not publicly confirmed a menu or the café's overall concept. Local confirmation from Raymah's team will be needed to know whether traditional Yemeni preparations will actually appear on the menu.
What To Watch Next
For a sense of timing, keep an eye out for a sign-permit approval or a job placard posted on the storefront. Contractor filings already tied to the address suggest that early phases of the buildout are underway, according to BuildZoom. Once signage and inspections are wrapped up, the owners could roll out hours and a full menu. Until then, neighbors can monitor the site and public permit records for clues. This report will be updated if Raymah's leadership shares more details.
