Onie Johns behind the counter at The Caritas Village

There are a lot of places in Memphis to find amazing food. It’s one of the things we’re known for. If you’re looking for a somewhere that has a really cool vibe and is a place to chill around art and music, there are a plethora of spots to go. And if you are concerned about our community and you want to get involved with an organization that has the best interests of Memphis in mind, there are also many choices. But there are not so many places where all three of these things come together as seamlessly as the Caritas Village.

The Caritas Village was the idea of Onie Johns, who nine years ago, decided to move to the Binghampton area to do what she could to help the community. She got started by convincing children to help her clean up the neighborhood in exchange for the opportunity to earn a bicycle. Several years later, the old Masonic Lodge on the corner of Harvard and Merton came available for sale. Onie took steps to purchase the property in order to put in a coffee shop and community center. This idea evolved into what is now one of the most unique spots in Memphis.

In Latin, Caritas means love for all…

…and more than anything else, you will find that at the Village. My first time there I noticed two business men meeting for what looked to be a power lunch, sitting in the booth next to two ministers discussing the direction of their church, sitting in the booth next to two African American teen girls playing scrabble and laughing about boys. There are few places in Memphis, or anywhere else, where you can find such a mix of cultures and such an atmosphere of acceptance. Onnie says, “I want this to be a church in the market place.” While you’re there its hard not to feel like this is what God meant for church to become.

The Caritas village also means great food (you should try the soup), an environment that creates and inspires art, a community center that hosts everything from Yoga to chess club for kids, and a place that’s really making a difference. It’s a place where you feel good about the money you spend. Lately, Onie has been using profits from the restaurant to purchase homes and provide affordable housing in the community.

Candidly, I love the Caritas Village.  The next time you’re looking for a cool spot for lunch with your friends, or a venue for an informal meeting, or a quiet place to chill and get some work done away from the office, I hope you will give it a try.

Featured shot of Caritas Village interior courtesy Amie Vanderford.

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