Written By JR Robinson

Every true Memphian holds a special place in their heart for the mid-2010s energy that pulsed through Midtown. At the absolute center of that outdoor, community-first momentum was the legendary Railgarten footprint. When those doors closed, it left a massive, kid-shaped void in the neighborhood.

Enter Andrew Jehl Mathewes—a millennial dad, software user-experience designer, and alumnus of the Memphis non-profit scene (including St. Jude and the National Civil Rights Museum). Andrew looked at that iconic location and saw the future of Memphis family life.

The wait is officially over. Stomping Grounds is launching on 901 Day (September 1st) for Founding Members, with the massive Public Grand Opening landing on Saturday, September 5th!

Solving the "User Experience" of Raising Kids

Andrew approached Stomping Grounds with the mindset of an engineer solving a broken system. If you’ve ever tried taking young kids out on a humid 95-degree Memphis Saturday, you know the drill: overcrowded suburban jump hubs, museum hours that don't match toddler wake schedules, or outdoor parks with zero shade.

Stomping Grounds fixes the user experience of parenting. It bridges the gap between chaotic corporate entertainment centers and tiny play cafes, creating a climate-controlled sanctuary where kids can go wild and adults can actually relax with great food and drinks.

Honoring "The Village" (A Membership Model That Makes Sense)

Standard family memberships usually punish parents. Add a second or third kid? The price skyrockets. Want grandma, an aunt, or a trusted babysitter to take the kids for the afternoon? You're forced to buy guest passes or upgrade to expensive "unnamed adult" tiers.

Andrew threw that outdated model out. At Stomping Grounds, memberships attach directly to the kids in the household—not the adults.

Whether it's Mom, Dad, a grandparent, or a neighbor bringing the kids in, they walk right through the door under the membership. It’s a business model built to support real local villages.

Get Ready to Stomp Around!

Whether you are stepping through the doors on September 1st as a Founding Member or joining the party on Saturday, September 5th for the Public Grand Opening, your family’s new home base has arrived.

Follow along on JustMyKIDS and JustMyMemphis as we bring you behind-the-scenes video walk-throughs, ribbon-cutting coverage, and exclusive previews leading up to opening day!