The Downtown Memphis Commission is offering forgivable loans of up to $20,000 to select Downtown businesses. Qualifying businesses must have a first-floor location, and must prove they need the loan to be able to stay in operation. If the company receiving the loan stays in business for two years afterward, it will be forgiven.
The Memphis Business Journal reports that Cristina McCarter, the mind behind City Tasting Tours, has pivoted to take her tasting tour business online to react to the coronavirus pandemic. When you order a tour, providing payment information ahead of time, you first get a video leading you through each restaurant on your tour. Then, food for two from each restaurant is dropped at your door, so there’s no contact. Tours include the following foods:
- Smoked salmon dip from City Block Salumeria
- Greek lasagna from Grecian Gourmet
- Meatloaf from Rizzo’s
- Dessert, either from Primas Bakery + Boutique or Makeda’s Cookies
Pancho’s is offering free lunches (2 tacos, beans and rice, chips and dip) today and Thursday, 11 AM-4 PM. There are no strings attached; they just want to help reduce stress during the coronavirus emergency. 3600 Broadway, West Memphis. The flyer for this promotion didn’t say, but I assume the lunches are to-go.
Sam’s Main Street Eatery at 7 N. Main has decided to re-open tomorrow, Wednesday, April 1. Its hours will be 9 AM-3 PM. They will offer take-out and also delivery through GrubHub. Their phone number is 901-308-0989 and you can see their menu on their GrubHub page.
Starting today, Mayor Strickland will limit access to city parks. Residents can still use the parks to walk and exercise, but not to congregate in large numbers. Monitors will be in the parks to ensure they are used in a way that does not violate the mayor’s Safer at Home order. Also, Riverside Drive will be closed from Union to Georgia after heavy cruising in that area over the weekend.
The Harbor Town Community Association has responded to reports of people congregating on Tug’s patio sipping to-go drinks and disregarding social distancing. They are asking customers to please take their drinks home. As for Tug’s, they are still selling food and drinks to go, but have completely closed the patio and taken up all the furniture.
From the Memphis Restaurant Association:
Remove all patio & outdoor furniture, or somehow indicate it’s out of commission. Unfortunately, the public can’t be trusted to abide by social distancing when tempted w outdoor seating. We’re seeing customers sit outside after takeout in large groups. https://t.co/6S9cLzqCO3 pic.twitter.com/u9AzHcLTOw
— Memphis Restaurants (@MemRestaurants) March 30, 2020
Max of Max’s Sports Bar is also asking patrons to take their drinks home after purchasing them to-go. A few people have been lingering on the sidewalk with their drinks, which violates the mayor’s executive order. Max is trying to keep his business open so his employees can continue to earn a living. Please don’t cause him to get shut down!
Here are some Grizzlies articles to keep you from getting bored at home:
The Memphis Flyer is temporarily cutting back to bi-weekly print issues and is offering a home delivery option via subscription.
From Sunrise Memphis:
Rep your favorite breakfast spot proudly with one of our new t-shirts!
Limited quantity! $20 each. Sizes: Small – XL. Call to order! 901-552-3168 pic.twitter.com/00ffmOEYip
— Sunrise Memphis (@sunrise_memphis) March 30, 2020
Bad news for folks at the Commercial Appeal:
New today: @Gannett announced unpaid newsroom furloughs of 1 week per month during April, May and June. We’re told journalists earning more than $38K are subject to the plan. This is prompted by COVID-19
— Gregory Holman 📲📰 (@GregHolmanNL) March 30, 2020
I finished the King, Kaiser, Tsar book and am now reading Inside Out, a biography of Pink Floyd. I’ve read Floyd bios before, but this one is different in that it was written by Nick Mason, drummer and only member to appear in every incarnation of the band.
From MakeUseOf: The best free and paid TV streaming services (I checked out the free services. Some good stuff in there.)
From OneZero @ Medium: Zoom is dead, long live Houseparty
When I shopped at the Family Dollar on Main Street yesterday, the debit card machine was down. If you go in there this week, you might want to take some cash as a backup.
New business Laid Off Lawn Care is now available to help take care of your mowing, edging, mulching, lawn removal, and leaf removal services.
Mountain Dew flavored Doritos. As big a fan as I am of the two products individually, I have no desire to taste them combined.
That’s the news for now. Back later today or tomorrow with more.