I made an interesting discovery on the Main Street Mall yesterday.
The Downtown core is getting a Starbucks! It will be inside the Residence Inn at Main and Monroe. They plan to open at the end of June and are currently hiring baristas, with a meet & greet today and tomorrow from 10 AM-1 PM. Apply in person at the Residence Inn.
I posted the “coming soon” photo to Facebook, and it quickly generated some strong emotions. Some clicked the “Love” button, while others clicked “Angry,” not wanting the corporate coffee chain Downtown. Personally, I am happy to have Starbucks as an option, although I will point out we already have a great place that serves coffee, Cafe Keough, in that same block. In addition to coffee Cafe Keough has great food and a full bar. They have a loyal customer base as well and I don’t expect their business to be seriously impacted by Starbucks.
Swanky Downtown Asian fusion restaurant Blue Fin has rolled out a new deli menu. (Click to see in a larger size; you absolutely MUST see this)
You can get a K-Pop Taco, a Memphis Ball (I think they mean “bowl” but I’m really not sure), or a wrap with “wrap sauce.” Just don’t ask for combo #3. You know, I have several Asian fusion places out in Germantown near where I work, and not one of them serves a 4 pc chicken tenders. Leave it to Downtown to lead the way in culinary trends!
The Orpheum has announced that Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite will play a September 11 show. Tickets go on sale this Friday.
Justin Timberlake plays FedExForum tonight for his Man of the Woods Tour. The people-watching Downtown (and by people-watching I mean hot women) should be exquisite. PRO TIP: It’s hard to beat the window seats at the Flying Saucer on nights like this.
That’s it for now. Back tomorrow with more.