Wintzell's Oyster House, a Gulf Coast seafood standby with deep Mobile roots, is on its way to Downtown Memphis and is set to plug a high-profile gap in Peabody Place. The move will bring an oyster bar, Gulf Coast-style seafood, and a beer-heavy lineup to a stretch already crowded with spots courting tourists, office workers, and anyone looking for a post-work bite.
What Wintzell's Will Serve
According to the Daily Memphian, the Memphis location is expected to roll out breakfast service, something that should help catch the downtown morning crowd, and will spotlight local beers alongside its oyster program. The outlet reports that this announcement comes after years of back-and-forth to secure the concept for the downtown core.
Where It Will Go
The restaurant is slated for the former Hooters address at 250 Peabody Place, a space that has not stayed out of the spotlight for long. Action News 5 reported that the downtown Hooters shut its doors on June 4, 2025. The Peabody Place property is currently listed by Belz Enterprises, clearing the way for wings and sports TV to give way to oysters and Gulf shrimp.
A Mobile Original Heads Inland
Wintzell's traces its story back to a six-stool oyster bar that opened on Dauphin Street in Mobile in 1938, a history the chain leans on heavily in its branding. That Gulf Coast heritage is front and center on Wintzell's, which highlights the classic oyster preparations that built its reputation. Memphis diners can look for those staples alongside a broader menu that the company says it adapts for new markets.
Why It Matters For Downtown
Peabody Place, a mixed-use complex in the middle of downtown, has long been a barometer for how healthy the area’s retail and entertainment scene really is. Repurposing a tourist-oriented restaurant space for a regional seafood name signals ongoing interest in filling empty storefronts rather than letting them linger. Per Wikipedia, the block has been a key downtown destination for shopping and entertainment, so each new tenant subtly reshuffles the lineup for both visitors and locals.
An opening date for the Memphis Wintzell's was not included in the Daily Memphian coverage, and the company has yet to post Memphis-specific timing on its own channels. For now, the promise of Gulf oysters in the heart of downtown is the headline, as landlords continue to swap out darkened spaces for concepts designed to keep foot traffic flowing.
