I’m leading off this lunchtime post with a movement happening on Facebook that I can definitely get behind. Bring CityTarget to Downtown Memphis is a move to put a Target location in the empty Peabody Place Mall. That would mean that Downtowners would no longer have to drive to West Memphis or East Memphis to shop at a retailer like Wal-mart or Target.
There are several reasons it is believed this would work. One is that Downtown has a population the size of a small city, about 30,000. What city that size does not have a Wal-mart or Target? Another reason is that although Peabody Place failed as a “shopping destination” that people would travel for miles to visit, it’s perfect for redevelopment as an “every day use” destination to serve the needs of people who live in the neighborhood, as well as visitors staying in the hotels here. Fill it with shops and services Downtowners need.
The New Daisy is back open after being padlocked unexpectedly by the state for back taxes. Neither the city, which owns the building, or the Downtown Memphis Commission, which acts as landlord, was notified in advance. One of the owners settled the tax matter in time to have the theater open for a concert tonight. The closing came as a shock because the theater just had a grand reopening with $500,000 in new equipment.
Meanwhile, renovation has begun on the building at 380 Beale formerly known as Club Crave and the Plush Club. It will be a sister concert venue to the New Daisy and will blur the lines of what is actually known as the Beale Street Entertainment District.
Seen on Facebook today: In Albuquerque, a city worker drives around asking the homeless if they would like to work for the day cleaning up the city. If they say yes, they work 5 1/2 hours at $9 an hour, then are taken to a health center where they are offered food, shelter, and other services. We need something like this in Memphis.
The Grizzlies are releasing some $15 terrace level tickets for the October 28 opener against Cleveland.
The Tigers now lead the AAC in attendance for football.
Grizzlies guard Russ Smith has been implicated in the Louisville sex scandal.
Possibly back after work with a second post, so check back.