Neil's: Embodying the Spirit of Midtown

Memphis, Tn - With hundreds in attendance on a steamy Sunday afternoon one of the coolest joints in Midtown was on it's way to churning out another round of golden memories, compliments of the Fat Man.

For two decades the immensely popular owner of Neil’s Bar and Grille, Neil Heins, has been more than happy to spread some love in playing gracious host to benefit events for anyone in need.

Just hours before a fire gutted his business, Heins latest charitable endeavor found an all-star line-up of 35 musical acts performing in support of fellow musician R.T. Scott. It was a benefit and silent auction to raise money for Scott's daughter, Tiea, who is recovering from critical injuries suffered in a head-on car collision in May.

“Teia, the young lady, she was in the accident she was hurt pretty bad. She was tore up pretty bad. She's doing good. She's got like 5 more operations and stuff,” said Heins.

Teia’s father was extremely thankful, “It's awesome. I've never seen anything like it. Course I play benefits all the time and never have minded and never had one done or needed one done. And this came about with my daughter and this bad wreck. Ya'll seen her inside. She's doing so much better.”

But, making people feel better is like music to the ears of Neil, in a Midtown entertainment district withering in bad economic times. Often leaning on past tales of its once glorious history for comfort, Neil's has tried to prevail.

Like most men of the South, it's never been easy for Neil to ask for help for himself. But, when it comes to answering the call for help from others Neil has always been generous.

“He's got a big heart about him and these are just one of the few things. You don't hear a lot about the things that does below. He's not out for the attention. Just to help. Just to help people,” said Neil’s frequenter Candice Farmer.

Heins thinks the spirit of his community will endure, “Midtown's got a big diversity and you can look around here tonight and see it. And everybody gets along and everybody wants to show a little love and you know everybody needs a little help sometimes.”

It had been a another day for golden memories at Neil's, and now if he can get a little help from his friends, Neil vows he'll find a way to make sure there are new memories still to come.