What's that moving in by The Arcade in Downtown Memphis?

There's been quite a bit of renovation and façade work near The Arcade in Downtown Memphis' South Main district in the recent weeks.

Some of that work is for After Burner's Cigar Bar and some of the new work coming in will be for a new clothing boutique next door, I Am Rare.

On Wednesday, June 26, the Center City Development Corp., an affiliate board of the Downtown Memphis Commission, approved a $30,000 retail improvement grant for I Am Rare owner, Lazashia Brown. The grant will be used to help cover costs for HVAC and interior buildout at the boutique's new brick-and-mortar location at 107 G.E. Patterson Ave., the former site of the Downtown Candle Company.

Brown founded I Am Rare as an online retailer in 2020 during the pandemic. The 1,500-square-foot G.E. Patterson Avenue site will be the business's first brick-and-mortar location.

During June 26's Center City Development Corp. meeting, Brown said the name "I Am Rare" came from her desire for self-expression. She said she wanted her fashion style to stand out and her clothing to help showcase an individual — and the attire — is rare.

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I Am Rare has signed a two-year lease at the property and plans to open once construction is complete. The estimated total cost of the tenant repairs for the building are $38,300, according to the grant application.

Neil Strebig is a journalist with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at neil.strebig@commercialappeal.com, 901-426-0679 or via X:@neilStrebig