Yesterday, the Tops Bar-B-Q on 3970 Rhodes Ave reopened after two fires last year forced the location’s closure.
While the first fire was blamed on mechanical issues, a subsequent fire just weeks before a planned reopening last year was the result of arson.
Tops said it tried to preserve as much of the original elements of the Rhodes Ave location as possible, such as the chimney and brickwork, leaving intact glimpses from the restaurant’s past from when it first opened 65 years ago (making it the oldest operating location in the company’s local chain).
“For many people, Rhodes Avenue isn’t just another restaurant—it’s a piece of Memphis history,” said Tops’ CEO Randy Hough. “This building has welcomed guests for more than six decades and has created memories for multiple generations of families. It was extremely important to us that we preserve as much of that history as possible while creating a modern restaurant that will serve Memphis for decades to come.”
