For more than a century, The Arcade Restaurant has been a gathering place for Memphians. The historic restaurant, located at 540 South Main Street in the historic South Main Arts District, is known as the city’s oldest cafe — a recognition earned through multigenerational family ownership and loyal patronage lasting just as long.
Running the successful 100-plus-year venture, the Zepatos family understands just how important community is.
That’s why their venue graciously hosted the recent What Now Accelerate networking event on Thursday, July 9. Restaurant owners, operators, and hospitality professionals gathered for an afternoon of connection and collaboration at The Arcade Restaurant, highlighting the strength of the very hospitality community they have made a living within for four generations.
“Speros Zepatos began the restaurant back in 1919. During that time, arcades were gathering places to meet up, go shopping, eat, and drink. This was their form of entertainment before shopping malls and video games,” Kelcie Zepatos, co-owner and wife to Jeff Zepatos, the great-grandson of Speros, told What Now in an exclusive interview.
“His dream was to bring that to Memphis. He built the Arcade building and then in the center of it is the Arcade Restaurant.”
Jeff has been involved in the venture his whole life; before he took over, his parents ran the restaurant and would bring him in on the weekends and summers. Kelcie began working as a server in high school, and studied hospitality management at Ole Miss. Together, the couple took over ownership in 2014.
The Arcade Restaurant has remained in the same location and under the same family ownership the whole time, a testament to the fortitude of the business. It’s survived major moments including economic challenges, cultural changes, and global events.
“There have been a lot of ups and downs in history since 1919. The great depression, WWII, the assassination of MLK across the street at the Lorain Motel, and COVID-19. Through it all, we have survived,” Kelcie shared.
“There are so many outside factors that can occur, so staying consistent for your customers is key. Learning to continue to grow as a business is also important,” she continued.
Today, The Arcade Restaurant continues serving classic Southern breakfast and lunch favorites while maintaining the nostalgic atmosphere that has made it a Memphis institution. Guests can enjoy breakfast served all day, along with lunch specials, dinner offerings on select evenings, desserts, coffee, cocktails, and other menu favorites.
Its vintage décor, neon signage, and longstanding presence in downtown Memphis have helped preserve a piece of the city’s cultural identity. Over the years, The Arcade has also served as a filming location for numerous movies and television projects.
But for Jeff and Kelcie, building a successful restaurant is more than delicious dishes and notoriety. They relish the culture they have created at their esteemed family-run joint.
“‘You are who you surround yourself with’ is a timeless truth. We get to hire people who are upbeat, positive, and passionate about hospitality, and they eventually become our chosen family. It’s a beautiful culture and work environment to be in,” she explained.
