Downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

The Hole in the Wall

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 25, 2020

1. The Hole in the Wall Marker

Inscription. Cousins Tony Angelos and Charles Skinner emigrated from Greece together and opened "The Hole in the Wall" cafe behind the old Peabody Hotel in 1911. In 1923, they opened the Bon Ton Cafe, which became a favorite haunt of Elvis in his early days and is now the second-oldest restaurant in town.

Erected 2003 by Center City Commission. (Marker Number 23.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee, Memphis, Center City Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.

Location. 35° 8.631′ N, 90° 3.099′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in Downtown Memphis. It can be reached from Monroe Avenue just west of Maggie H. Isabell Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is on sidewalk near restaurant entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 150 Monroe Avenue, Memphis TN 38103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in the Upper South,

in the Mississippi Delta,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Greek Influence (within shouting distance of this marker); William Len Hotel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); William Len (about 300 feet away); The Saturday Night Jamboree

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(about 400 feet away); Face-off (about 400 feet away); Peabody Hotel (about 400 feet away); Peabody Lobby (about 400 feet away); The Fire of 1872 (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Regarding The Hole in the Wall. There’s been a Bon Ton in Downtown Memphis since the 1890s, though its first manifestation was a saloon. Later, the name was used for a restaurant owned from 1904 to 1945 by Tony Angelos and Charlie Skinner. That’s the year that the Zambelis family took over, and they ran the place until 2008, when Sam Zambelis died suddenly at the age of 50, so the restaurant at 150 Monroe Ave. has been closed for a couple of years. (It reopened under new ownership in 2011) - Memphis Daily News, Oct. 11, 2010

Also see . . . Downtown Memphis Commission's Sidewalk Stories Tour. Walking itinerary compiled by Google Maps. Note: Some markers are missing. (Submitted on April 27, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 25, 2020

2. The Hole in the Wall Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 794 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 27, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.