Written By JR Robinson

The Perfect 901 Day Revival

Every true Memphian remembers the exact ethos of the mid-2010s in the city. There was a palpable momentum, a rush of urbanization, and at the absolute center of that energy was Railgarten. When it closed, it left a massive, kid-shaped void in the hearts of Midtowners.

Enter Andrew Jehl Mathewes—a millennial dad, software user-experience designer, and alumnus of the Memphis nonprofit ecosystem (with stints at St. Jude and the National Civil Rights Museum). Andrew looked at the legendary old Railgarten location and saw more than just nostalgia; he saw the future of Memphis family life.

That is why Stomping Grounds is officially launching on 901 Day. It’s a poetic nod to a city we love, but honestly? It’s also how fast Andrew and his team could beautifully reinvent the space. It’s a sanctuary built by Memphians, for Memphians. It takes that exact same community energy twenty-somethings loved a decade ago and preserves it for those exact same people who now have full-blown children in tow.

Built by Parents, For Parents (The UX of Raising Kids)

If you’ve ever met Jeremy Park from City Current, Andrew shares that exact same infectious, community-champion energy. He is the cheerleader Memphis families need right now, bringing an intense, positive drive to the local family scene.

With his background in software and user-centered design, Andrew approached building Stomping Grounds not just as a business owner, but as a frustrated dad trying to navigate spaces that frankly aren't built for how real people live their lives with kids.

"You love your children, you love being involved, but society in general can make it really hard to raise a kid," Andrew shares. "You look at the giant family entertainment centers or jumping hubs way out in the suburbs, and they’re completely overwhelming. Then you look at the Zoo or local museums—which we love—but on a Saturday in July, it doesn't open until 9:00 AM, it closes at 5:00 PM, and by afternoon it’s 105 degrees outside. It's just not built for the realities of parenting."

Stomping Grounds fixes the user experience of parenting. It bridges the gap between massive, overstimulating corporate centers and tiny mom-and-pop play cafes.

Inside the Layout: What to Expect

Stomping Grounds is utilizing the massive, indoor-outdoor versatility of the old Railgarten footprint to create distinct "anchors" for every kind of day, and every kind of kid:

Flipping the Script on Memberships

Perhaps the most revolutionary part of Stomping Grounds isn't the physical layout—it's the business model. Traditional family memberships pack on hidden frustrations. If you have two kids versus four kids, the price changes. If an aunt, a grandfather, or a family friend wants to take your kids for the day, you have to buy an extra ticket or pay for a premium "unnamed guest" tier.

Andrew threw that outdated model out the window.

At Stomping Grounds, the membership is tied directly to the kids in the household, not the adults.

Whether it is mom, dad, a grandparent, an out-of-town relative, or a trusted family friend taking the kids out for the day, they walk right in under the membership. As a parent, you know firsthand the hustle of trying to fill a child's time and relying on a village to help. Stomping Grounds actually honors "the village." They offer simple, two-tiered unlimited access memberships (Weekdays or Weekends) alongside standard Day Passes. No nickel-and-diming, just community.

Behind the Hustle

Behind the scenes of this new Midtown staple is the raw, unfiltered grind of local entrepreneurship. Building a dream from the ground up means navigating restaurant logistics, answering endless emails, scraping up hands on a hard morning's work, and executing a direct solution for Memphis families without letting red tape get in the way.

Andrew and his team are pouring pure passion into the concrete of the old Railgarten, transforming a beloved neighborhood landmark into a space that serves the next generation of Memphians.

Get Ready to Stomp Around

The countdown to 901 Day is officially on. Whether you want a climate-controlled sanctuary from the July heat, a vibrant outdoor playground, or a community space where your kids can be entirely themselves while you catch your breath, Stomping Grounds is your new home base.

• Follow the Journey on Facebook: Stomping Grounds Facebook Profile

• Grab Your Passes & Memberships: Let's Stomp Around Official Website