Thursday update

A GoFundMe has been set up to attempt to save the historic Memphis Peanut Shoppe. The shop has been a Downtown staple since 1949, and the current owner, Rida, is one of those people who makes Downtown the one-of-a-kind community that it is. I first went in there around 2006 to buy my mom candy for Christmas, and every time after that he would ask, “How’s mother?” when he saw me. When she passed away in January 2017, Rida was the first person I went and told.

The building The Peanut Shoppe is in will be renovated into apartments in 2022, and Rida will not be able to renew his lease beyond its expiration this December. The money raised will be used to help Rida find a new location Downtown. If it turns out that the money cannot be used for this purpose, it will be donated to a worthy charity.

Celisse headlines this week’s Get Loud! concert tonight in Handy Park, B.B. King at Beale. The concert is free and family-friendly. Opening act Talibah Safiya gets things started at 6.

We have reopening dates confirmed for the I-40 bridge. Eastbound lanes will be open Monday, August 2 by 6 AM. Westbound lanes will be open Friday, August 6, at a time to be determined.

Charvey Mac returns to the Blind Bear this Saturday, with a show starting at 9 PM. I plan on being there! Most excited I have been about a show at the Bear since the pandemic restrictions were lifted!

The Memphis Grizzlies have announced their Summer League schedule in Las Vegas. The league is a first look at draftees and a tune-up for young, developing players. The games will be broadcast on national TV networks.

Voting in the Memphis Flyer’s 2021 Best of Memphis poll is underway.

Earlier this month I reported that River City Records would open at a not-yet-known South Main address. The address is now known, and they’re going to be on the best part of South Main: The part of it that’s on the Main Street Mall. The vinyl store will go in at 101 S. Main, in the old Bluff City soap location. The owner lives across the street from the new shop. How cool is that?

It’s National Chicken Wing Day, National Chili Dog Day, and National Lasagna Day. (Edited to add: The New Wing Order food truck is at Grind City Brewing tonight 5 to 8.)

DJ Alpha Whiskey plays a set at the MOXY Memphis hotel, 40 N. Front, tonight from 6 to 9. Free for the public to come out and boogie.

$2 beer and $1 hot dog throwback pricing happens tonight as the Redbirds host Gwinett. First pitch 7:10.

After-hours social event Whet Thursday happens tonight at the Metal Museum. Live music, food truck, metalworking demos, yard games.

It’s NBA draft night! I’ll be out with a PBR in my hand, eagerly anticipating the Grizzlies’ front office’s moves. Back tomorrow with analysis of draft night, any COVID-19 task force news that comes out today, and more.