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Things To Take Back to College To Keep Memphis Close To You

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Josh Mullenix,
Home Blog Things To Take Back to College To Keep Memphis Close To You

If you’re like me, you love Memphis. For the past two years, I’ve returned to Memphis after the school year finishes and have been reminded how awesome this place is. But inevitably, the leaves start to change colors and it’s time to head back to school, wherever that may be. If you’re looking to keep Memphis close to you when you head back to school, here are a few things you should take back with you.

A Grizzlies Growl Towel

The Grizzlies aren’t just your local basketball team. They have grown to be a part of who the city is. They identify with us and we identify with them. The Growl Towel is an easy piece of memorabilia to hang up in a door room or apartment or even on the dash of your car. It’s simple and easy, but definitely a great reminder of our grit and our grind.

Food

Memphis has many food staples. While I don’t recommend grabbing a fresh order of Ching’s Wings and packing them for an eight-hour car drive, there are ways to pay homage to the unmatched food scene in Memphis.

  • Pancho’s

    In case you didn’t know, Pancho’s Cheese Dip is awesome and, luckily, it travels well. Head over to their website and send some cheesy-goodness right to your dorm-room mailbox. Throw it in the fridge and you’ve always got some top-tier cheese dip for your mid-afternoon (late night) snacking. Let’s be honest, it’s going to be better than the cheese dip you get anywhere else.

  • BBQ Sauce

    BBQ is a staple in Memphis, but it would be tough to stuff pulled pork in a suitcase. However, grabbing a bottle of Central BBQ, Rendezvous, or Corky’s (or insert your favorite BBQ joint) BBQ sauce is much more feasible. Keep it sealed and it can easily make the back-to-school trek. Now you have some great BBQ sauce to improve that dry chicken breast you will inevitably get at every college cafeteria across the country.

Apparel

Adding to your t-shirt collection is a must. If you didn’t get a t-shirt, did it really happen? Let’s talk about some t-shirts to take back to school so that no one can challenge your Memphis legitimacy.

  • Your Favorite Grizzlies Player

    Allow me to introduce you to the shirt jersey, or the “shersey”. The shersey presents an opportunity to rep your favorite Grizzly without the financial burden of purchasing a premium game jersey. Instead, stop by the Grizz Den at the FedExForum and pick up the shersey of your dreams.

  • Any BBQ Joint

    Everywhere you go, you’re probably going to run into someone who knows something about Memphis BBQ. It’s probably gonna be Rendezvous, and you might get an enthusiastic response from a fellow college student. If nothing else, you’ll get a daily reminder of the exquisite BBQ scene in the 901.

  • Choose901 Stuff

    What better way to rep Memphis and keep it close to you than rocking some Choose901 Apparel? No better way. That’s the answer. Lucky for you, Choose901 is hosting the annual Back 2 School Pop Up Shop on August 3-4 at Ballet Memphis for all your Choose901 gear needs. Stop on by, grab a t-shirt, stickers, or a Choose901 bag to take back to school. 

Now that I’ve shared some of my faves, check out these additional picks from the Choose901 team:

Hit the Gift Shops

Our museums and other arts orgs, our Zoo, and even the Lake’s Edge Gift Shop at Shelby Farms Park are clutch for grabbing something small like a key chain, mug, pen, stickers, or postcards to keep your favorite beautiful places top of mind while you’re away:

Brooks Museum Store

Burke’s Books

Dixon Gallery & Gardens Museum Shop

Memphis Botanic Garden

Pink Palace Museum Stores

Shelby Farms Park Lake’s Edge Gift Shop

On top of that, there’s been an explosion of cool Memphis wares everywhere you turn. We’re not talking about your grandma’s last-minute airport souvenirs. These are unique, art-driven items and whatnot for your walls, shelves, and body.

Babcock Gifts

Cooper-Young Gallery + Gift Shop

City & State

 

Five In One Social Club

 

Falling Into Place

 

 

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Our sweatshirts are super cozy and cute!!! $40 available in grey and navy sizes S-XL #fallingintoplace #choose901 #ilovememphis

A post shared by Mary Claire Schroeppel White (@fallingintoplaceshop) on

Stock + Belle

 

Know of another great place for Memphis merch? Share it in the comments!

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  • We’re back for round two of the Choose901 Back to School Pop Up Shop and we’ve hidden a free shirt token outside of our office on the fourth floor! Here’s a clue: What do seals have and what do they like to do? I’m found underneath something that has and does the same. GOOD LUCK! #choose901
  • Thank God it's Friday, amiright??! 🙌 The link in our bio's got your weekend plans! #choose901 📸: @marygunning
  • 🥳And the winner is @anayanci_sanchez_ 🥳 Thanks to everyone for entering! See y’all soon ✌️ Ok wow. Y’all are really liking this merch! Out here making us feel all 😍😸🤗⁠ One last giveaway, but READ CAREFULLY! We’re doing this one different.⁠ ⁠ A single lucky winner is getting THREE FREE SHIRTS at the Pop Up Shop. We’ll even set them aside for you to speed things up a bit!😜 Enter to win:⁠ ⁠ 😜 Must be following @choose901⁠ 😜 Like this post.⁠ 😜 Leave a single emoji as a comment, representing your current mood.⁠ 😜 Share this post in your Instagram Stories.⁠ ⁠ We’ll pick a winner tomorrow morning. Good luck!⁠ ⁠ REMINDER: The Pop Up Shop opens at 4pm tomorrow (8/16)! Use the link in our bio to see al the good stuff.
  • It doesn't take much to impact someone's life. Sometimes all it takes is for the right person to show up. The 5th graders at @grizzliesprep invite you to show up—not everyday and not with some planned out life-changing speech. For 30 minutes, once a week, you're encouraged to step into their world to share a meal, to share encouragement, and to share good times with new friends as their new Lunch Buddy 🙂 Use the link in our bio to sign up for an upcoming info session and tag someone you think would make a great buddy. #choose901
  • 🥳 And the winner is @teahtube and friend @kweezyf 🥳Thanks to everyone for entering! We’ll see all of y’all tomorrow 😄 . . . Yeah… we said it!⁠ To celebrate the upcoming pop up shop, we’re gifting you and someone else with a free Choose901 t-shirt. 🗣️That’s right 🗣️You AND your BFF or bae, or mom or mortal enemy ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Whatever the relationship, whoever you tag, this one’s for you and the celebration of connection. ⁠ 😊 Enter to win:⁠ 😊 Like the post⁠ 😊 Must follow @choose901⁠ 😊 Tag your peeps (One person per comment- no limits, go nuts)⁠ 😊 We will pick a winner tomorrow (8/15) Good luck and check FB for another chance to win! #choose901⁠
  • Our fall internship application is still open! We’re looking for a group of talented writers to join us from September 3rd through April 27th during which time you’ll learn a whole lot and have fun while you do it 🤝 Tag someone you think’ll be a good fit and tell them them to apply with the link in our bio! #choose901 📸: @colecreasy
  • Harlem Week 2019 is well under way and you're probably wondering what that has to do with Memphis. Seeing the similarities between the two "iconic communities," Harlem is honoring Memphis's bicentennial by bringing a cohort of Memphis entertainers to the "Big Apple." Know a Memphian who's now a New Yorker? Tell them to head to Harlem for a hearty helping of home. Use the link in our bio to see the line-up of events! #choose901 📸: @harlemweek