LIT Restaurant Supply Is Open to the Public — No Membership Required
Yes, you can shop here. You do not need a membership, a business license, a resale certificate, or a restaurant to walk into any LIT Restaurant Supply store in Memphis and buy something. There is no fee and no sign-up — the door is open to everyone, the same prices apply to everyone, and you can pay with EBT/SNAP on eligible groceries or a major credit card. We have three Memphis stores stocked with bulk food, cooking supplies, and new and used commercial kitchen equipment. Come see us Monday–Saturday 8 AM–7 PM or Sunday 10 AM–4 PM.
Never been in before? Start at Austin Peay in Raleigh — it's our flagship and carries the largest selection of cooking supplies and food, plus the only equipment showroom.
No membership. No business license. No catch.
Plenty of restaurant supply stores are wholesale clubs — you need a membership card and a business ID before they'll let you through the door. LIT is not one of them. We have been family-owned in Memphis for over 70 years, and we sell to whoever walks in: restaurant owners, caterers, church kitchens, food truck operators, and people who just want to cook at home with better gear and buy groceries in a bigger pack.
- No membership fee — nothing to join, nothing to renew
- No business license or resale certificate required
- Everyone pays the same — there is no separate "public" price list
- EBT/SNAP accepted on eligible groceries, plus major credit cards
- Three Memphis locations — Raleigh, Whitehaven, and Midtown
What you can actually buy as an individual
Everything in the store. There is no section roped off for the trade. What people shopping for themselves tend to come in for:
- Bulk food — meats, seafood, sides, and pantry staples in restaurant-size packs. This is the reason most home cooks find us, and it's where the value is if you have a freezer and a family to feed.
- Cookware and smallwares — commercial pots, pans, sheet trays, knives, mixing bowls, food storage. The heavy-gauge equipment restaurants buy because it survives daily use, sold as single items.
- Restaurant equipment — new and used refrigerators, freezers, ranges, fryers, prep tables and ice machines at our Austin Peay showroom. People buy these for garages, basements, home bars, churches and side businesses, not just restaurants.
- Disposables and cleaning supplies — foil pans, containers, gloves, paper goods and janitorial in quantities that actually last.
Food mostly comes in restaurant-size packs — that's where the savings live. Smallwares and equipment are sold individually, one item at a time.
Which store should you go to?
All three are open to the public and all three carry food and cooking supplies. They differ in size — if you're deciding where to go first, go to Austin Peay.
- Austin Peay — Raleigh (flagship)
3292 Austin Peay Highway
Our biggest store and the best place to start. The largest selection of cooking supplies and food of any location, and the only store with the heavy equipment showroom — new and used refrigeration, ranges, fryers, prep tables and ice machines. If you want to see the most in one trip, come here. - Winchester — Whitehaven
1665 Winchester Road
Our second-largest selection of cooking supplies and food, and the convenient stop for South Memphis. - Summer Avenue — Midtown
2965 Summer Avenue
Our smallest store, and the one weighted toward food more than smallwares. Good for a grocery run in Midtown; for cookware or equipment, head to Austin Peay.
Every location is open Monday–Saturday 8 AM–7 PM and Sunday 10 AM–4 PM.
Frequently asked questions
Is LIT Restaurant Supply open to the public?
Yes. All three Memphis stores are open to the general public. You do not need a membership, an appointment, or any kind of business credential — just walk in during store hours.
Do I need a membership to shop at LIT?
No. There is no membership, no club card, and no fee of any kind. This is a straight retail store: come in, pick out what you want, and pay at the register.
Can I shop here if I don't own a restaurant?
Yes. We sell to restaurant owners and to the general public alike, and there is no separate pricing for either. Home cooks, caterers, churches, food trucks and anyone furnishing a kitchen are all welcome.
Do I need a business license or resale certificate?
No. Neither is required to buy anything at any LIT location.
Do you accept EBT or SNAP?
Yes — EBT/SNAP is accepted on eligible grocery items at all three stores. We also take major credit cards. As with any retailer, SNAP benefits cannot be used for equipment or non-food goods.
Do I have to buy in bulk?
Not for everything. Food is largely sold in restaurant-size packs, which is where the savings come from. Cooking supplies, smallwares and equipment are sold as single items.
Which LIT location should I go to first?
Austin Peay in Raleigh. It's our flagship, with the largest selection of cooking supplies and food of any store, and it's the only location with the heavy equipment showroom. Winchester in Whitehaven has the second-largest selection of cooking supplies and food. Summer Avenue in Midtown is the smallest and carries more food than smallwares.
Can I buy commercial kitchen equipment for my home?
Yes. Our Austin Peay flagship carries new and used commercial refrigeration, ranges, fryers, freezers and prep equipment, and anyone can buy it. Check the dimensions and the electrical or gas hookup against your space before you buy — commercial gear is often larger and needs a different connection than residential appliances. We're happy to talk that through before you commit.
Do you post your prices online?
No. We don't publish prices on the website — inventory turns constantly, especially on used equipment. Come in and we'll tell you what something costs and show you what's on the floor today.
Come see us. Three Memphis stores, open to everybody, seven days a week. Start at Austin Peay in Raleigh for the biggest selection — or find the closest location →