Fri update: Downtown Bleu, RiverArtsFest, Chisca Hotel, Memphis Beer Beat, Chamber is hiring

For months we’ve been hearing about “something neu,” a new restaurant concept that will be coming to Downtown. Finally, the word is out. Downtown Bleu will open in the Westin Hotel tomorrow, in the former Sole space. According to their website, “Chef Robert Nam Cirillo boldly mixes flavor profiles from around the world for signature dishes that reflect the deliciously unique melting pot that is America. He seeks out local, in-season ingredients as well as fresh seafood caught by family fishermen in New England to assure flavors are always at their peak.” “Like” the restaurant on Facebook to keep up with the latest news.

Good article in the CA about RiverArtsFest this weekend. It really has the potential to grow into (and is already starting to grow into) an important regional arts fest. It’s 10-6 Saturday, 10-5 Sunday in South Main. I plan on being there both days.

The Memphis Business Journal is reporting in today’s print edition that a group of investors is looking to buy the Chisca Hotel at Main and Linden. They want to turn it into apartments. That important block between Linden and Pontotoc connects the Downtown core to South Main. It’s currently something of a dead zone with the dilapidated hotel sitting there, empty, crumbling onto the street. Put some apartments there and you’ve got foot traffic all the way down Main. Plus, residents would have a short walk to the Orpheum, Beale, FedExForum, the Majestic, Blue Fin, Pearl’s Oyster House, Frank’s Grocery and Deli, etc. Excellent idea, hope it happens.

The Memphis Flyer’s Memphis Beer Beat blog has posted part 2 of an interview with Andy Ashby, one of the organizers of the Cooper-Young Regional Beerfest.

Want to get paid to promote Memphis? The Greater Memphis Chamber is looking to hire a Business Development Consultant. View the job listing here.

All right… time to hit Publish, grab lunch, and prepare for an exciting Friday afternoon of meetings. Yay!