The Four Way: New mural honors the past and present of landmark Memphis restaurant

Jennifer Chandler, Memphis Commercial Appeal
·3 min read

In addition to some of the best Southern cooking in town, Memphians now have another reason to stop by The Four Way restaurant in Soulsville.

A colorful new mural that celebrates the past and present of this Memphis landmark at 998 Mississippi Blvd. was officially revealed this week in honor of Black History Month.

The mural to honor the rich, 76-year history of this Memphis restaurant was made possible by a collaboration with Memphis Tourism, I Love Memphis Blog and UrbanArt Commission.

"This mural is a wonderful way to share The Four Way’s important history with the Soulsville community and with visitors who travel to Memphis from around the world to experience the incredible food served at this landmark restaurant," said Holly Whitfield, author of the I Love Memphis Blog.

"My hope is that it encourages Memphians to support this local business and public art in general. The way the Bates family, the artists and organizers all worked together to create this colorful expression of the restaurant’s past and present is inspiring."

Holly Whitfield of the I Love Memphis Blog, from left, Patrice Thompson owner of the Four Way and mural artist Danielle Sierra stand in front of the restaurant's new mural during Black History Month, paying tribute to its 75 years of business in the Soulsville community.
Holly Whitfield of the I Love Memphis Blog, from left, Patrice Thompson owner of the Four Way and mural artist Danielle Sierra stand in front of the restaurant's new mural during Black History Month, paying tribute to its 75 years of business in the Soulsville community.

One of the oldest restaurants in Memphis, The Four Way has been the meeting place for key figures in everything from the civil rights movement to the evolution of Memphis music. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rev. Al Sharpton were a few of the civil rights leaders who dined here. Music icons Isaac Hayes, B.B. King, Elvis Presley, Al Green, Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin were all regular customers.

The mural

The artist behind the colorful mural is Danielle Sierra.

Originally from California, Sierra has been in Memphis for close to 10 years. Her murals grace such buildings as the Bickford Community Center and the Scheidt School of Music at the University of Memphis.

Sierra said she wanted to represent the past and present of the restaurant in her mural, which includes portraits of the original owner Irene Cleaves, the Bates family (the second owners) and current owner Patrice Bates Thompson.

"The color palette was drawn from the food," she said.

Vibrant shades of green, yellow and orange pull from the restaurant's beloved Southern dishes like cooked-from-scratch greens, cornbread and yams.

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Patrice Thompson, owner of the Four Way, speaks to the media in front the restaurant's new mural, created by artist Danielle Sierra during Black History Month, paying tribute to its 75 years of business in the Soulsville community.
Patrice Thompson, owner of the Four Way, speaks to the media in front the restaurant's new mural, created by artist Danielle Sierra during Black History Month, paying tribute to its 75 years of business in the Soulsville community.

UrbanArt Commission organized the artist selection process. Sierra was one of many applicants who submitted proposals for the project. A committee (which included community partners and artist advocates) and the family ultimately chose her design.

"The Four Way is an institution in this neighborhood," said Lauren Kennedy, executive director of UrbanArt Commission. "We are always looking for the right opportunities to create beautiful things and connect artists and neighborhoods. This was the perfect way to pay an artist and to honor the family and the place."

How it came to be

Patrice Bates Thompson, who is now the second generation of the Bates family at the helm of this historic restaurant, said she is grateful Memphis Tourism approached her about the project, even thought she admits she wasn't initially sure about a mural on her building.

"Kevin [Kern] and Regena [Bearden] with Memphis Tourism encouraged me to do a mural on the building several years ago, and I initially said no. But they kept on, and thanks to their persistence, it happened," Thompson said.

Patrice Thompson, owner of the Four Way, stands in front the restaurant's new mural, created by artist Danielle Sierra during Black History Month, paying tribute to its 75 years of business in the Soulsville community.
Patrice Thompson, owner of the Four Way, stands in front the restaurant's new mural, created by artist Danielle Sierra during Black History Month, paying tribute to its 75 years of business in the Soulsville community.

She said she couldn't be any happier with the end result.

"Danielle really did her homework. She ate with us, got to know us as a family, and the restaurant's history. And she blended all that past and present into this mural," said Thompson as she pointed to the mural with a smile on her face.

The Four Way is currently open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and the first, second and third Sunday of the month. Thompson is hopeful that by April the restaurant will also be open on Wednesday.

Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: The Four Way in Memphis: Mural honors restaurant at Mississippi Blvd.