Saturday morning I woke up about 11:30, planning a trip to the mall, and then my phone rang. “Paul, Raiford’s is closed,” my source said. “They’re moving everything out.” So I grabbed the camera and headed down there. As you can see in the pic above, they were hauling out the white vinyl couches, and the sign had been taken down and the outside walls were painted over.
I’ve heard the rumor that Raiford’s would be closing since last October. Raiford, from what I hear, is ready to retire. I’ll miss the place but Raiford brought a lot of happiness to Downtown Memphis for almost 30 years. He’s earned the right to retire and live his life however he chooses. I wish him nothing but the best. My only regret is that I didn’t discover the place until 1998.
Mark Richens has more info on his blog about Raiford’s closing.
Rumor has it the place will be turned into a condo development. I’ve also heard some more rumors about the future of Downtown:
- A. Schwab’s on Beale has been bought by developers and will be turned into a mall;
- Earnestine & Hazel’s has been bought. It will be torn down and an Applebee’s will be built at the corner of Main and G.E. Patterson;
- Gus’s Fried Chicken has been bought by the YUM Corporation and will be turned into a combination KFC/Taco Bell.
- Sleep Out Louie’s has closed and will turn into a steakhouse – oh wait, that one’s actually true.