Street renamed to honor Boggs
Late restaurateur earns honorary designation
Midtown Memphis will be renamed for Thomas Boggs,
the CEO of Huey's restaurants who died of bladder
cancer on May 5.
The portion of Madison between
Rembert and Barksdale will now be known as "Thomas
Boggs Boulevard," an honorary designation.
A ceremony will be at 5 p.m. July 16 -- what
would've been Boggs' 64th birthday -- to hang the
new signs.
"I think he would've been very honored and
humbled by it. He had such an large and lovable
personality, that it's nice to have such a large
street named for him," said his widow, Wight Boggs.
"It's a way for him to still be here in spirit. And
no more appropriate place than down Madison Avenue
where Huey's originated."
Boggs joined Huey's as manager and bartender in
1975, but two years later became a partner. When he
died, Boggs was CEO of the seven-restaurant Huey's
chain, as well as a partner in the Half Shell,
Tsunami, Folks Folly and the Prime Cut Shoppe.
City Council member Jim Strickland, whose
district includes that section of Madison, sponsored
the name-change resolution passed by the council.
"I'd known Thomas for many years, knew that he
was ill. He fits the category in my mind of a
limited number of people who ought to have honorary
streets," he said.
Strickland said it wasn't just Boggs' restaurant
prowess that earned the designation, though.
In addition to helping found the Zoo Rendezvous,
Boggs was also involved in the Food Bank, Memphis in
May and the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau.
"He had such an impact on so many lives through
the restaurant industry and through his civic and
charitable endeavors," Strickland said.
Contact Jody Callahan at 529-6531.
