Today’s issue of the Memphis Business Journal has an article about Frank’s Grocery, a new grocery store to go in at the corner of Main and Vance, in the old Frank’s Liquors location. It will be owned by Bud Chittom who is a principal in several of the businesses on Beale Street (Blues City Cafe, Club 152). He says that although it will not be the size of a big-box Kroger, care will be taken to address the needs of Downtowners. “It won’t just be a place for cigarettes and potato chips,” said Chittom. The store will also have a deli and bicycle delivery. That will be a great addition to Downtown, and right on the trolley line. Very nice.
Tomorrow there will be a chitlin’ cooking contest at Handy Park from 9 AM to 3 PM. Also, Dr. BBQ, whoever he is, will hand out free samples of pig tails. Why would you miss an event like that? Local luminaries such as John D have already hinted they will be there. No doubt John D will wash down his chitlins with a 32 oz. Bud Light.
MATA will offer free trolley rides next week during lunchtime. For more details see this Memphis Business Journal article. For those who work in the core, it’ll be a good chance to ride down to Earnestine & Hazel’s and try a soul burger or their new slaw dog for lunch.
The Memphis Flyer notes that AutoZone Park has been named one of the most vegetarian-friendly ballparks in the nation. Patrons can order grilled vegetable paninis, veggie dogs, crudites, hummus, and bruschetta at ballgames, and PETA likes that and ranks the Memphis park highly. What the hell is a “crudite?” I’ll stick to good old BBQ nachos. I’m sure my health guru AL will be happy though.
David Byrne from the Talking Heads will appear at the Orpheum with Brian Eno on September 23. They’ve been writing together since 1981, and are touring in the fall in support of their new album Everything That Happens Will Happen Today. Tickets are $52.50/$42.50 plus all of Ticketmaster’s usual bullshit fees, and you can get tickets at ticketmaster.com. You can download “Strange Overtones,” a song from the new album, at everythingthathappens.com.
Not sure what I’ll be getting into tonight. I’ll probably go out in a little while. The Dead Elvis Week people are starting to arrive in town, wonder if they’ll be on Beale. They can be fun to talk to.