“Those who have fresh news, report; those who don’t, link.”
Or something like that.
My main news source today consists of links to the Memphis Daily News. In their first article, they report about a new restaurant/bar I’m super excited about: A new Irish pub called The Brass Door will open at 152 Madison. It will be an upscale pub serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Downtown core hasn’t had an Irish pub since Dan McGuinness closed in 2008, and having one so close to my front door is an added bonus. I’m also happy to see a business of this caliber going into the block of Madison between Second and Third – I’ve long felt it was one of the “sleeper” blocks of Downtown just waiting to be re-discovered.
The same article reports that another restaurant, Red Velvet, will open at 314 S. Main. This will be a restaurant and bakery that will offer treats such as cupcakes, coffee, and wine. Great addition for the northern part of the South Main District, which has seen businesses such as the Rumba Room, Pearl’s Oyster House, Frank’s Deli, and South of Beale open in the past three years.
More hotel rooms will be coming to Downtown. The Daily News reports that a Hilton-branded hotel will come to the corner of Linden and Fourth, anchoring the SoFo (South of Forum) district. It will have 20,000 SF of meeting space, an outdoor pool, signature restaurant, and lobby bar. More high-end hotel rooms means the ability to attract bigger conventions to downtown, which is a Very Good Thing. Some people abhor the term “SoFo” for the area, but I personally like it, because I can call the people who live and work there “SoFo mofos.”
All three businesses are applying to the CCDC for forgivable loans and grants. Best of luck to all three, as they all sound like they will make Downtown even better.