I learned some stuff about the Memphis Union Mission in morning chapel yesterday, and I wanted to share it with you, my readers.
First of all, I need to correct something I’ve said in previous posts. I wrote that the older of the buildings at the 383 Poplar location was the original 1945 building. I had that wrong. The original Union Mission building was at 117 Poplar, in the area that is now Civic Center Plaza. The building currently thought of as “the old building” – also called MES – at 383 Poplar was built in the early 1960s.
It’s hoped that the 1960s building will come down this year to make room for Phase 3 of the modern 2020s building. Phases 1 and 2 are already complete, sleeping 232 in beds and overflow on clean and very comfortable mats.
Pastor J told us there was a book written about the Mission in the 1950s called Skid Row Stopgap. There are copies of this book at the public library.
There’s also a second book about the Mission, Mud ‘n Mercy in Memphis.
I mentioned yesterday that eggs have become so expensive that many restaurants have adopted a $1/egg upcharge for dishes containing them. I wonder how this is affecting the Urban Bicycle Food Ministry? They hand out breakfast burritos in Court Square on Saturday mornings, and of course scrambled eggs are the burritos’ primary ingredient.
Congratulations to the Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr., who has been named an NBA All-Star. Although, we may not see the best of JJJ in the All-Star game since there is just about no defense.
Uptown is getting a new concert venue. DNA prez Jerred Price posted:
Grind City Brewing Company is opening a new outdoor music venue in DOWNTOWN!Grind City Amp is slated to open in 2026 in Uptown Memphis and will feature a scenic view of Downtown Memphis.“Our goal is to create a space where music lovers and our community can gather to celebrate what makes Memphis special,” said Grind City Brewing Company President and Founder Hopper Seely. “This venue is for Memphians and by Memphians.”Grind City Amp will have a general admission capacity of 4,500 or 3,500 seated. The venue will host 8-12 concerts and comedy shows per season. After the venue is completed, Grind City Music Festival will return in 2026.
A FedExForum employee is accused of stealing her co-worker’s identity.
Cookie Plug, a hip-hop themed dessert shop, is coming to the former RawGirls location on Second.
Great weather is coming next week. Upper 60s most days and 70 on Wednesday. Normal for the first week of February is 53.
Back tomorrow.
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