HYPERLOCAL NEWS HUB BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS DEPARTMENT OF JOURNALISM

How to create the
Cooper-Young look for less

Swanky style on a budget

By Hannah Owenga
MicroMemphis Reporter
Recently named one of the best  neighborhoods in the U.S. by the American Planning Association, trend-spotters might say Cooper-Young is the new new birthplace of cool.

Restaurants are cool. Businesses are cool. Clothes are cool. Homes are cool, but the overall CY style may better described as an underground hipster style or just downright swanky.

How can you get the swanky Cooper-Young look for your place on a strict budget?

Dig it.

Cooper Young is home to several antique and home decor shops that offer unique pieces that exude that Cooper-Young style for less, but you are definitely going to have to work for it.
Here are 4 
Cooper-Young
stores to try:

#1 Gary's Antiques

#2 Toad Hall Antiques

#3 Flashback

#4 Urban Outfitters

#1 Gary's Antiques
2158 Central Ave/ 38104

No price is guaranteed. That's why Gary's Antiques is #1 after 24 years in the thrifting business. Store owner Gary Wright is on the hunt himself. He is looking for best offer. 

Needless to say, with a little digging, you are sure to find unique treasures for less.

You will also find random photos of his grandson around the shop too. Gary said he is almost co-owner, always picking street junk up and bringing  it to the store to sell.

Meet Gary and his grandson, Price.

Favorite Treasures under $50

Favorite Treasures under $50

#2 Toad Hall Antiques
2129 Central Ave. / 38104

Toad Hall storeowner and newlywed Dana McBride is back from wedding bliss. She showed MicroMemphis around the store for this season's hottest, yet affordable items.  According to storeowner, this season's trends embrace pops of color and creative repurposing. Toad Hall, however, takes it a step further to feature the two floors of Memphis-based versions of these trends with local artists and Cece Caldwell's Chalk Paint.

"It's just something about Cooper-Young that just brings in, " said McBride, who's orginally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. "I just had to be here." 

She could be onto to something. In the meantime, Toad Hall offers an affordable way to bring Cooper-Young to you. Well, the style anyways.

Items at Toad Hall range from $10- $2,000.

#3 Flashback
2304 Central Ave. / 38104

Flashback definitely took us back. The Cooper-Young style  is about vintage is personality, if you already haven't noticed. 

Flashback is one of the few Cooper-Young vintage stores that offers clothes, jewelry, furniture and accessories in one location. Although, they were the priciest of list, MicroMemphis found what most would deem as in-your-face personality.
 
Items in Flashback range from $2-2,800.

Favorite Treasures under $50

#4 Urban Outfitters
2151 Central Ave. / 38104

Last but not least is Urban Outfitters. Urban Outfitters offers a home decor department in their store. Sales are available the online website. 

Unlike the other stores listed that are exclusive to Cooper-Young, Urban Outfitters is a national franchise.

Check out the the video of Urban Outfitters Fall catalog for some inspiration to achieve the Cooper-Young style for less. The items showcased in the video are available in the store as well.

Items in the store or online range from $5 - $300.














Video courtesy of Urban Outfitters.