Monday update

Over the past week, several of my readers have noticed that the interior of the former Blind Bear space has been painted white. They have wondered if it’s a sign a new concept is getting ready to go into that space.

I tend to doubt it. I think the paint was merely a sprucing-up.

It’s much easier for commercial real estate agents to get potential lessees to envision their future business if the walls are a neutral color. If left all black, what could be imagined there besides a speakeasy? Maybe a goth nightclub or haunted house?

If I hear anything I’ll let you know. I’ll be honest with you, though, this is a rough time to open a bar that appeals to neighborhood local residents in the Downtown core. Rising costs have made it very hard to turn a profit, and attracting a crowd after 9 or so PM that doesn’t create more trouble than it’s worth is a real challenge.

One business that has reopened is New Orleans-style restaurant Ben-Yay’s. They are not on Main anymore; they are sharing a location with sibling restaurant Sugar Grits on Second near Gayoso. Yay’s is open noon to 9 PM Thursday through Sunday. Sugar Grits is open 8 AM-3 PM Monday-Friday and 8-4 Saturday and Sunday. At this point there’s not yet street-visible signage for Yay’s; you just have to know it’s in there.

Today is Great American Pot Pie Day. Wear your “CHICKENPOTPIE: Three Things I Love” T-shirt you bought at the Tennessee Brewery a decade ago to celebrate.

With Memphis and Northern Illinois both losing Saturday, Boise State moves into the driver’s seat for the Group of Five playoff spot. The Broncos entered this week’s AP poll at 25.

Let’s have a look at this coming Saturday’s games of interest:

  • Kentucky at 6 Ole Miss, 11:00 AM, ABC
  • 20 Oklahoma State at 23 Kansas State, 11:00 AM, ESPN
  • Northern Illinois at NC State, 11:00 AM, The CW Network
  • 15 Louisville at 16 Notre Dame, 2:30 PM, Peacock
  • Arkansas at 24 Texas A&M, 2:30 PM, ESPN
  • 21 Oklahoma at Auburn, 2:40 PM, ABC
  • Mississippi State at 1 Texas, 3:15 PM, SEC Network
  • 2 Georgia at 4 Alabama, 6:30 PM, ABC
  • 19 Illinois at 9 Penn State, 6:30 PM, NBC
  • Middle Tennessee at Memphis, 6:30 PM, ESPNU
  • Washington State at Boise State, 9:00 PM, FS1

That’s all for now. Back tomorrow or Wednesday probably.

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