Fri update: Stolen packages, Purple Haze, Bon Ton Cafe, Memphis Roller Derby, Chisca Hotel, Hard Rock job open, Petrino and more

An alert for Downtowners: ABC 24 reports that UPS packages are being stolen from Downtown doorsteps. I live in a secure building, but I still usually have my packages delivered to work for this reason.

The Memphis Business Journal reports that Purple Haze will move into the old Red Rooster space at Second and Lt. Lee later this month. Purple Haze has previously been operating as a dance club in the Old Daisy on Beale. When it opens, the club will hold 160 plus a patio, and will have a full menu.

The MBJ also reports that Bon Ton Cafe is expected to reopen next month. It will be open for breakfast and lunch, with the downstairs space available to rent for special events.

Congratulations to Memphis Roller Derby, who defeated #12 Knoxville Saturday to become the Tennessee state champions. The team hopes to improve its ranking to break into the top 10 teams in the region. If they do, they will be invited to the regional tournament. At the end of the season, the top three teams in each region will compete for the national championship.

The Main Street Journal blog had an excellent post about the Chisca Hotel this week. It points out that we have a responsibility not to let the buildings on newly-named Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue become blighted, as has happened with MLK Aves./Blvds./Streets in other cities. We need to either renovate it or knock it down, although it would be a shame to knock down the building because it’s where Elvis was first played on the radio. Agree with everything said in the MSJ’s post.

The Hard Rock Cafe is looking for a Sales & Marketing Manager. Email Memphis_GM@hardrock.com for more information.

Bad day to be a Hog fan. Arkansas Razorbacks coach Bobby Petrino was placed on leave last night. The AD is investigating Petrino’s failure to report that there was a female riding with him – a former UA volleyball player and current UA employee – when he crashed his motorcycle earlier this week. At least it didn’t involve any NCAA violations, but lying to your boss is never a good thing. Kudos to Petrino on hooking up with a hot 25 year old blonde though.

Thanks to those of you who signed up for Dropbox via my link earlier this week. Because you signed up through my referral link, my 2 GB of free space has been bumped up to 5 GB.

Time to grab some lunch. Saucer and a friend’s birthday party are on my agenda tonight.