BARDOG IS OPEN! Wednesday update

Bardog Tavern, which has been closed since the Safer at Home house arrest began in March, posted to Facebook yesterday that it was opening at 3 PM. I planned to be standing outside the door at 2:57 but heavy storms moved through around that time. I posted a comment asking their hours going forward but haven’t heard yet. When I do I will let you know.

How irresponsible is it that Major League Baseball is still trying to have a season? Over 40 players and staff have tested positive for COVID-19. The earliest the season could start would be the last week of July, and it would end September 27. If the 60-game season played out, the eventual champion would have a huge asterisk next to its name. More likely, players would test positive in-season and that would be the end of it. MLB needs to do the right thing and shut the season down.

Dr. Haushalter of the Health Department said yesterday that Shelby County would remain in Phase 2 of re-opening for the foreseeable future. Whew! That’s a relief. There were some who thought we should roll back to Phase 1, and even people who supported a second lockdown (SMDH at that idea). Businesses are starting to get more serious about keeping their customers safe. For example, Blind Bear has a new rule that you must have a mask on when entering the bar, you must put it on when you get up to use the restroom or go smoke, and you must put it on when you leave. In other words, if your “but” is in a seat, you don’t need to have a mask on, otherwise you do (we need to get Jeannette a spelling book). As a regular patron of that business, I totally support these measures and hope others will too.

There’s a good reason for businesses to introduce these more stringent rules. Dr. Haushalter announced yesterday that among the 141 new hires for the Health Department will be a COVID-19 enforcement team that will be visiting local businesses.

The Flyer has more on the surge in new cases. Dr. Haushalter said there was extensive testing June 14th and 15th, and Saturday’s number of 385 new cases included lab reports going back as far as three weeks.

Dr. Bruce Randolph, county health officer, put in place Health Directive number 7 yesterday. This directive makes it possible for gatherings of 51 to 499 people to happen if the organizer of the directive submits a plan showing how social distancing and other guidelines will be observed. This is why some movie theaters have been allowed to open prior to entering Phase 3.

From Front Street Deli:

The time has come……..
The Sandwich master is back in action starting today! The world has been a little crazy and rightly so after being deprived of sandwiches like Days of Thunder and Mission Impossible. Nonetheless, the oldest Deli in Memphis will survive through this! Let’s show Brandon some Sandwich Mafia love today and sell him out. Front Street Deli, slangin sandwiches since ‘76!
New hours are Monday thru Friday 8am-2pm.

Chef Steph Cook announced yesterday that he and Chef Derk Meitzler are looking to expand their back-of-house staff. If you are looking for a career in food these guys are two of the very best to learn from. They are expanding their operations and there will be chances to move up. If interested apply at The Vault at 124 G.E. Patterson.

From The Peanut Shoppe:

Please understand that we are not only protecting ourselves, but also you as well. If you do not have a mask, you are welcome to call us and place your order outside our shoppe and we will be happy to serve you at our main entrance. Just please remember to be courteous. Times are tough, especially for small businesses like ours. Be safe and well. Thank you, Memphis. #downtownmemphis #shoplocal #ilovememphis #choose901 #backdowntown

The Cossitt Library storytimes planned for Thursday and Friday at River Garden have been postponed due to the uptick in coronavirus cases.

From the World Championship Hot Wing Festival:

*ANNOUNCEMENT* Due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19 and in accordance with the advice of local authorities, we will not have a physical event this year. While this event has become a highly anticipated tradition over the past 17 years, the safety and well-being of everyone involved is of the utmost importance.
While we can’t meet in person this year, we still want to make a difference for the kids and families of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis. We are working on ways we can connect the teams and wing-loving attendees of this event virtually so that we can still make an impact for this amazing organization. Stay tuned in the coming weeks to find out more!
If you have already purchased a ticket or submitted a vendor registration, you will be refunded.
Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support. We’re looking forward to coming back bigger and better than ever in 2021!

From the CA: COVID-19 has left the Beale Street Flippers with nowhere to flip. Fortunately Railgarten stepped up and gave the Flippers jobs.

That’s it for today. Looks like the Internet problems are over for Downtown. Back tomorrow.