Great news for Beale Street today… the old Pat O’s building is getting a new tenant, and it’s a familiar name. Ground Zero, the blues club currently next door to the Westin, will close temporarily and relocate there. Nat, the manager there, told me she’s excited to be down the street from the Red Rooster (moving into the old Double Deuce space) again. She and Luke who runs the Rooster have some exciting ideas in mind for their new block of Beale. Great to hear it! That block has always been less popular than the Second to Third block, but with two proven winners going in there, business is about to pick up!
And that’s not all… a new restaurant called Lil’ Anthony’s Breakfast and Soul Food will be going in across the street. They’re adding electrical outlets and Wi-Fi and will be open 7 days a week. Sounds like I may have a new place to take the MacBook. Beale Street Branch Office?
I have more info on the River City Brewers Festival which happens next Saturday, March 13. Proceeds will benefit St. Jude, and musical entertainment will be prodived by the Mighty Electric St. Jude Band at 12:30 and the Mud Flap Kings at 6:30. There will be 70 different beers to try, including many not normally available in Memphis. You’ll get a souvenir mug. There are two sessions – 12 to 4, and 6 to 10. If you plan to go, better buy your tickets early (click the link to do so), because beer fests usually limit the number of attendees.
Seth Krasnove, chef at BB King’s and Itta Bena, has been profiled in the CA’s Meet the Chef feature this week.
I found out more details about what the M.O.U. (Master of the Universe) card gets you. The Flying Saucer awards the card to members who have made it through the Ring of Honor 5 times. Once you hit M.O.U. status, you have a guaranteed reserved place at all beer tastings with advance notice. You also don’t have to wait until 7 PM on Wednesdays to buy the “buy the beer, keep the glass” glass of the week.
Memphis ad agency Brainwoo is up for an “ad agency blog of the month” award. Check out their site, and if you like what you read you can vote for them here.
Shelton Clothiers is having a sidewalk sale today. Everything outside is $19.95, while it lasts.
Plans for tonight: Beer.