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Just over 30 minutes from downtown Memphis, Collierville, TN, is a true Southern gem. Warm hospitality and a strong community feel, combined with outstanding food, shops, and activities, make this beguiling small town worth a visit. You may even recognize the city for its charming Town Square. This beautifully manicured space was the location for several scenes of the Hallmark Channel film Wedding at Graceland in 2019.

Voted Parade Magazine’s Best Main Street in 2014, Collierville’s fascinating history is always on display. “When you stand in our town square, you get a glimpse of yesterday,” says Ashley Carver, Director of Tourism, Town of Collierville. “In one corner of Town Square Park, you’ll find a log cabin built in 1851 that served as a stagecoach stop. Next came the railroads, which are a big part of Collierville history.”

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A restored 1940s train depot on Town Square now fittingly serves as the town’s Visitor Center. Nearby are a much-loved collection of historic trains to explore, including Frisco 1351, which hauled freight for the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway. The early age of automobiles is represented by McGinnis Oil Company, a cool retro gas station that opened in 1927 and is still operational.

The town square continues to serve as a hub of town activity in the present day. So what should visitors do in Collierville? Let’s take a look!

A great first stop is the Morton Museum of Collierville History. Admission is always free to this local treasure, which takes visitors on a stroll through the town’s 150-year history. The museum is housed in a beautiful Gothic Revival (former) church founded near the end of the Civil War and donated to the town in 2008.

Owned and operated by the Town of Collierville, The Harrell Performing Arts Theatre is a stellar showcase for local talent. For over 20 years, the Collierville Arts Council has presented over 150 quality productions at the theatre, including an irresistible presentation of Elf The Musical for the December holiday season.

The Morton Museum of Collierville History is a visitor’s guide to local history, including programs and exhibitions for all ages. Image: Town of Collierville

Harrell Theatre audiences loved Elf The Musical, the hilarious tale of Buddy the elf’s quest to find his true identity. Image: Terry Dean, Collierville Arts Council

The Collierville Greenbelt System offers more than 18 miles of well-maintained walking trails if you are craving the great outdoors. Check out the QR Fit Trail at H.W. Cox Park for a more intense workout. Use your smartphone to access exercise videos for your core, flexibility, upper body, and lower body.

Collierville has several lovely parks that make the most of the natural landscape, with amenities ranging from playgrounds to baseball fields to picnic tables. W.C. Hinton Park is home to a nine-hole disc golf course which will soon be expanded, thanks to a grant from the State of Tennessee. The funds will also provide a new amphitheater and increased parking.

Enjoy the beauty of the local landscape on the Collierville Greenbelt System. Image: Town of Collierville

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W.C. Hinton Park has a wonderful playground for children, picnic tables, soccer fields, walking trails, and more! Thanks to a grant from the State of Tennessee, visitors can soon enjoy an expanded disc golf course and amphitheater. Image: Town of Collierville

And then, of course, there is the Town Square. Every Friday night from April to October (weather permitting), musicians gather to play bluegrass and traditional folk music. The jam sessions are free to the public, who are invited to bring their own chairs to sit and listen — or play. “Music is fundamental to the town square,” Ashley says. “For over 20 years, we’ve had musicians from all over the region gather and jam in a very relaxed way. Rumor has it that W.C. Handy played here back in the day.”

What fun! Join musicians from around the region as they jam on the Square on Friday nights from April to October. Bring your own instrument to play a little bluegrass, or just sit and enjoy the fun. Image: Town of Collierville

If you can’t get enough music, Main Street Collierville hosts a free Summer Concert Series — five performances on Thursday nights in June, July, and October. Grab your family and a blanket or chair, and head over to hear various bands playing on the Gazebo stage in Town Square Park.

Start your day with a tasty treat from Square Beans Coffee. In addition to a menu of well-crafted coffees, espressos, and teas, you’ll find seasonal specialty drinks, European pastries, breakfast, and lunch. Off the square, Carrington Oaks Coffeehouse is a wonderful stop for aromatic coffees and good eats.

If you’re craving hamburgers, you’ve come to the right place. For an old-school experience, check out Mensi’s Dairy Bar (and be sure to sample a delicious shake or other ice cream treat). Dyer’s Café is known for its selection of Famous Burgers, plus hot dogs, sandwiches, tamales, and catfish. Huey’s Collierville offers its signature laid-back vibe, specialty burgers, and tasty pub grub.

Start your day in Collierville on the Square with a delicious cup of coffee from Square Beans Coffee. Image: Town of Collierville

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A mainstay of Collierville since 1996, The Silver Caboose Restaurant & Soda Fountain offers home cooking at its best. The Soda Fountain is one of the few remaining originals in Tennessee — be sure to stop by for a real, old-fashioned banana split, hot fudge sundae, ice cream soda or float, or milkshake. Yum!

Warm and inviting, Café Piazza offers a menu of delectable pasta dishes, specialty pizzas, and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. For sophisticated, eclectic Southern fare, visitors love Raven & Lily Restaurant. For outstanding pub grub, Highlander Restaurant & Pub fits the bill. Visit Zopita’s on the Square for a filling lunch, or pick up one of their Italian-inspired take-and-bakes for an easy, delicious dinner. And for bar-b-que “so good you’ll slap yo’ mama,” stop by the Collierville Commissary.

Collierville is fast becoming a destination for food enthusiasts, with more restaurants planning to open soon. We can’t wait to see what 2023 has in store!

Yum, yum! Stop by The Silver Caboose for hearty home cooking — then head for the authentic Soda Fountain for a decadent treat. Image: Town of Collierville

Raven & Lily Restaurant is cooking up Southern delights with an eclectic flair! Image: Raven & Lily Restaurant

Indulge in a selection of Italian eats from Zopita’s on the Square. Image: Justin Fox Burks

Collierville is full of cute little boutiques, plus a few larger retail stops. If you enjoy an afternoon of antiquing, Sheffield Antiques Mall has everything your heart desires. Home to over 300 dealers, the mall is a browser’s paradise, with collectibles, jewelry, furniture, lighting, and much more. For luxury brands in an upscale setting, visit the open-air lifestyle shopping mall Carriage Crossing, located on Houston Levee Road.

For a taste of the French countryside in Collierville, visit First Fruit Collection, located right on the square. First Fruit offers home furnishings and accessories in their retail showroom, but their specialty is custom designs!

Whether you’re in the market for specific pieces to complete your home, or you’re just looking for a little design inspiration, First Fruit Collection is a must-visit when you’re on the square. Image: Facebook

Also on the square, Hewlett & Dunn Boot & Jean Co. has everything a cowgirl needs — a beautiful and extensive selection of boots, Western wear, hats, belts, and more. (Cowboys are welcome, too!) C.J. Lilly & Company is a lovely, customer-service-oriented floral and gift shop with many options, from bags to candles to jewelry. Visitors looking for distinctive collectibles, gifts, decor, and furniture will love the treasures at The Brooks Collection. For home furnishing and accessories, look inside the delightful Dee Larue Designs. Upscale specialty shop Patricia’s offers women’s and children’s clothing, jewelry, shoes, and home goods.

Cowgirls and cowboys are in for a treat at Hewlett & Dunn Boot & Jean Co. Image: Town of Collierville

At C.J. Lilly & Company, flowers and great gifts abound. Image: Town of Collierville

Billed as a “crazy little food shop celebrating all things foodie,” Bazaar Food Shop offers flavored and infused olive oils, balsamic vinegar, tea, coffee, mixes, and sauces to elevate your next meal.

A bit further out, Loni’s is known for its high-quality, unique clothing and accessories. Itty Bitty Bella is a charming boutique for children’s clothing, bedding, strollers, and more.

“Bazaar caters to those who want a warm, friendly, unique shopping experience that makes you feel cozy and wanting to come back and enjoy different products and events that foster small-town friendliness,” says Kim Avery, co-owner of Bazaar Food Shop. Image: Town of Collierville

Enjoy exploring this sweet Southern town!

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The town of Collierville is growing, and it's attracting new businesses to the area.

COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. — One of the only outdoor malls in the Memphis area is getting a facelift.

A Chicago-based realty company bought The Shops at Carriage Crossing in Collierville in March with hopes of bringing new business to the area.

Town leaders say the mall is just one piece of a booming economic puzzle.

“We've been growing about 1000 [people] a year,” said John Duncan, the Collierville Director of Economic Development. “Once you cross 50,000 population, which we have, the phone starts ringing a little bit more, and people are a little more interested in coming to your market.”

In the next few months, hotels will be built, and new locations of Staks, South of Beale, Crumbl Cookies and Chipotle are all opening in the town.

“I feel like we're really expanding,” said Laney Skinner, a lifetime Collierville resident. “We're getting a lot of new good restaurants and new shopping centers, so like, that's also good for diversity.”

She said she has no plans on leaving, and more people are wanting to join her in calling Collierville home. It’s one of the most desirable places to live in the Memphis Metro.

“We have about 110 homes for sale in the city limits of Collierville, which I got my license back in 2006, and back at that time, we had anywhere from 450 to 650 homes for sale,” said Maureen Frayser, a Collierville real estate agent.

Frayser said more people are moving to Collierville and staying.

'We have quick access to the interstate, so that's a factor that some people look at,” Frayser said. “Our school system is top notch.. What makes Collierville different is that we have room, and we have land to grow and develop.”

In the coming years, town leaders say the population is supposed to reach 80,000 people. Construction is easy to find driving around the town, but there are a few empty storefronts.

“That has more to do with the current state of brick-and-mortar retail which has been challenged due to new shopping habits,” Duncan said.

Duncan hopes with the new sale of Carriage Crossing that trend may change as well.

“We’ve got commercial development,” Duncan said. “We've got residential growth. We're not just one thing, and that diversity of economy is what's going to sustain us as we go forward.’

Carriage Crossing sold for $25 million.

COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. - FOX13 is continuing to investigate threats to our area’s water supply – the Memphis Sand Aquifer.

We previously exposed breaches in the aquifer’s protective layer that sit under Memphis’ most toxic sites.

Now, we are investigating why scientists say people in Collierville may be at the most risk of drinking contaminated water.

Part of the reason Collierville is at a greater risk is simply because of where it's located and its proximity to what's called the aquifer recharge zone.

"Collierville residents are actually more at risk of drinking contaminated water because of the geology," Sarah Houston, the CEO of the advocacy group Protect our Aquifer, said. "Because the Memphis Sand Aquifer is pretty much at the surface, there's no protective clay layer, like we have in the majority of Shelby County."

Because there is no protective layer of clay present, not only is the water less protected by that layer of clay, but Houston said Collierville's location is also particularly vulnerable to contamination.

"When Collierville developed, they weren't very aware of this precious geology. So, they built some of these industrial facilities right next to their drinking water wellfield, where the water is pumped for the community," she said.

The aquifer recharge zone runs though southeastern Shelby County and continues throughout West Tennessee.

Water filters directly into the Memphis Sand Aquifer, making that area more vulnerable to contamination.

For decades, large corporations that moved into Collierville weren't aware of this and dumped dangerous chemicals into the ground that scientists say are still there today.

Three of those facilities have been determined to be hazardous waste areas known as superfund sites.

Walker Machine, which made metal products, spilled trichlorethylene also known as TCE and other chemicals in the area.

The facility is no longer in operation.

Carrier Corporation, an air conditioning company still in operation, used to use TCE for cleaning.

The Environmental Protection Agency said the company leaked this chemical in the area several times which contaminated groundwater.

"TCE can cause things like liver, kidney diseases. It affects your central nervous system. It is a really, really toxic chemical," Houston said.

Right across the street from Carrier is Smalley-Piper, which used to make farming equipment.

The EPA says operations caused hexavalent chromium contamination in soil and groundwater.

It shut down in 2007.

"Hexavalent chromium that is the Erin Brockovich chemical we all heard about in the 2000s, and that caused a whole bunch of different cancers and autoimmune disorders," Houston said.

Toxic chemicals from Smalley-Piper and Carrier both leaked near Collierville's Water Pumping Station number 2. Tests showed the water there was contaminated. The wellfields closed in 2002.

"Directly next to the old drinking water station, they have found levels of TCE way above safe drinking water limits, and the same with hexavalent chromium," Houston said. "The latest figure I saw was 1400 mg/l, and a safe level is 100. So we're talking 15 times more than that."

Brian Waldron, the head of the CAESAR program at the University of Memphis, said the first step is to determine how far the contamination has traveled.

"The further away that the pollution source is from where we find it means that over that entire length of the aquifer has been contaminated," he said.

Waldron said once contamination gets into the aquifer, it can take decades to get out.

How it's removed depends on the type of chemical and contamination.

"Do you have to pump it out? Do you put in bugs that can eat it? So, it's just every contaminant is a different situation, you have to read it," he said.

In this case, the EPA is working with carrier and the town of Collierville to clean up the contamination.

There are groundwater monitoring stations spread across some of Collierville's busiest shopping areas.

Every five years, the EPA reviews how much has been cleaned up and what else needs to be done.

It's not currently known if well field number two will ever be able to operate again.

Collierville officials want people to know their drinking water is safe.

The town of Collierville's website says their water meets all of EPA's health standards.

It says water is tested for chlorine, fluoride, ph, carbon dioxide and alkalinity on a daily basis.

It also says they routinely test for contaminates.

FOX13 reached out to Carrier to ask what safety measures they have in place to ensure no additional pollution to the groundwater near their facility occurs.

A spokesperson sent us this statement:

"Carrier is committed to protecting people and the environment, while reducing the environmental impacts of our operations. In 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued its five-year evaluation of Carrier’s ongoing efforts to remediate soil and groundwater at its site in Collierville, Tennessee, and affirmed our remedy remains protective to human health and environment. Carrier will continue working with the EPA and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation."

The town ofCollierville's website says their water meetsall of EPA's health standards.

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Collierville might see a new Chick-fil-A.

About eight months after applicant GBC Design Inc. pulled its variance request for two new Chick-fil-A locations in Collierville, it's back.

But this time for only one Chick-fil-A.

The Collierville Board of Zoning Appeals in March will review a parking variance case for more parking at the restaurant's future site at 1985 Houston Levee Road, just north of the Exxon gas station, the town announced Wednesday.

The new restaurant will span 4,987 square feet on a 1.92-acre lot on the northwestern corner of South Houston Levee Road and Wolf River Boulevard in the Almadale Farms Planned Development, according to the project application form.

The building will have a dual-lane drive-thru and the applicant requests 81 parking spaces, 29 more spaces above the maximum 52 spaces allowed, according to the application.

The application also shows Chick-fil-A requesting 84 seats inside and 20 seats outdoors for a total of 104 seats.

"If the variance is granted, this will actually be a positive situation for the adjoining streets and properties as Chick-fil-A will have enough parking on their property," said Allan Wiley, with GBC Design Inc., in a letter to the town. "This will reduce the possibility of traffic backing up on adjoining streets, creating safety hazards and reduce the possibility of Chick-fil-A customers parking on adjoining properties and walking to Chick-fil-A."

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Previous Chick-fil-A plans for Collierville

In June, Chick-fil-A planned to add two new Collierville locations — one near Bray Station Road at Poplar Avenue and another at Wolf River Boulevard at Houston Levee Road.

However, updated plans for the Bray Station Road project have not been announced.

In June 2022, the Atlanta-based restaurant filed parking variance cases for each of the new locations to increase parking spaces. The Bray Station Road development was allowed 53 spots, but the applicant requested 60. The Houston Levee Road project was permitted 55 parking spots, but Chick-fil-A asked for 81.

Both applications were pulled by the applicant before the board of zoning appeals could vote on it.

When the plans for Chick-fil-A were first announced in June 2022, town residents spoke out on social media with concerns over the restaurants' traffic. Collierville Public Information Officer Jennifer Casey in a previous interview with The Commercial Appeal said town officials received mixed feedback from multiple residents about the projects.

The June 2022 application showed the Houston Levee Road development would be the same as the current request — 4,987-square-foot building on 1.92 acres. The Bray Station restaurant would have covered 4,947 square feet on 2 acres, according to the previous application.

The former request said each location would have included 90 seats inside.

Town Planner Jaime Groce previously said it was not clear what will happen to the existing Chick-fil-A at 1036 W. Poplar Ave.

Dima Amro covers the suburbs for The Commercial Appeal and can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @AmroDima.