As Champion’s Herb Store settles into a new era, having opened the doors to its Downtown location last month, the family-owned holistic store is determined to keep the vision of its founder at the forefront.
An iconic staple in the Memphis community, Champion’s is known for its herbal remedies and personalized care. The store recently expanded to 65 Monroe Avenue, Suite B, thanks to the Downtown Memphis Commission’s Open of Main initiative.
“The Downtown Memphis Commission’s Open On Main initiative pairs emerging retailers and entrepreneurs with vacant storefronts in Downtown,” said the DMC. “The program is designed to help retailers test their market-strategies and to create a stronger retail ecosystem and better pedestrian experience in our core city.”
Champion’s opened its doors on January 5, 1981, at the corner of Third and Mallory after Dr. Charles Champion envisioned opening a store of his own and enlisting the help of his family. Dr. Carol “Cookie” Champion, Charles’ daughter, remembers serving ice cream when the store first opened and said the whole family all worked there in some capacity or another.
Carol explains that following in her father’s footsteps can be a major undertaking, but even from a young age the urge to study pharmacy was in her blood. After graduating from Memphis Catholic High School in 1987, she studied chemistry and biology at Xavier University and Southern University and A&M College. She returned to Memphis after graduating and became a doctor of pharmacy through the University of Tennessee Health Science.
After working as a floater for Walgreens Pharmacy for many years, Carol decided to take over the family business in 2018. This was around the time when Charles became visually impaired. She said this was the opportunity to introduce herself and her skillset to their customers while he was still here.
“In hindsight, I feel like this was part of God’s plan,” Carol said. “Not to take his eyesight, but for me to come in and do some of the work. Daddy didn’t want to change things, but I’m glad I pushed while he was there to see what I planned on doing, which has happened today. I am growing the business; we’ve upgraded the business; we have new labeling; we have new branding.”
The company is now known as Dr. Champion’s Herbal Blends, which pays homage to the beginning of Charles’ career of blending herbal remedies that he started after graduating from Xavier in 1955.
Continuing her father’s legacy is imperative for Carol. She said her father “lived and loved pharmacy,” with compassion leading his work.
“That’s all that I know — is to be compassionate,” Carol said. “I’m so grateful that I do have his heart of compassion for the people.”
When reflecting on her father’s impact, the trust that he gained from his community stands out. As she considers this, she is reminded of how rewarding it is for this same community to welcome and accept her as she took over.
“I did not know that after the passing of my father if I would have been embraced,” Carol said. “It feels like his legacy has been seamlessly perfected in what we’re doing today to create a longstanding business.”
The community also played an important role in bringing Champion’s into this new chapter, and they’re looking forward to seeing the company grow.
“I want to make Memphis look good,” Champion added. “I’m hopeful that we can take the same energy we have from Elvis Presley to the Downtown area.”
While the store is not a pharmacy, it still touts Dr. Champion’s blends that have worked for generations. Carol said this presents an opportunity for them to bring their products to not only a new part of town, but to travelers as well.