City leaders make efforts to reinvigorate downtown Memphis
By
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Efforts continue to bring people back to Downtown Memphis.
It’s a tall task for city leaders as the many businesses that kept people coming back close shop. couldn’t
When one downtown speakeasy closed, it was the end of an era that some just couldn’t bear.
“It was devastating,” DeVonte Payton said. I didn’t believe it. I was like no way, that’s not possible because Blind Bear is a staple in the downtown community.”
That staple is now closed on South Main Street.,
DeVonte Payton, a downtown resident and longtime customer of Blind Bear, learned of the bar’s closing on social media.
“It’s disappointing, especially for those of us who’ve been frequenting and – being around downtown for so long,” he said. A lot of people are just now hanging out and [just now discovering] downtown; many of us have been hanging out and being downtown for decades.”
Blind Bear is just one of several that have closed downtown this year.
Back in June, the upscale restaurant with a cajun flare, Supper Club, shut down.
Before that, Chef Tam’s Underground Cafe closed.
Flame Ramen opened in a downtown location about a year ago, and temporarily closed signs are posted on its front door.
RAW Girls off 2nd Street is also closed.
Payton says all these closures are hurting downtown: “To see some of our staples slowly transition out it’s disappointing,” he said, “It makes us feel like alright where are we gon’ go now?”
The closures are, unfortunately, nothing new.
Memphis Restaurant Association President Mike Miller says many factors are involved, such as the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people heading east, and crime.
“We met several weeks ago with the Downtown Memphis Commission and Thursday with Mayor {Paul}Young – had a positive meeting trying to, not just bring to light the current situation because I think the mayor and most leadership understand that we’re struggling as an industry and particularly in downtown Memphis,” Miller said.
He tells Action News 5 they also discussed hosting more events downtown and assuring safety, which he says will take time.
But Miller says he’s hopeful.
“We had a good conversation, and I think it’s just a thing that we need to have a continued dialogue,” he said, “I know we as a restaurant association are continuing to reach out to leadership both locally and at the state level trying to be part of the solution.” ,
It’s a different story a few streets over, as Biscuits and Jams opened its downtown location in May.
“I was excited about coming downtown, the revitalization of this side of downtown and The Indigo and being able to partner with them and I-H-G, so it’s been a wonderful experience, and we’re just growing daily, and I’m excited about it,” said Monique Williams, Owner and Head Chef.
Williams says the restaurant business is tough, but crime is everywhere, so he remains optimistic.
“I know times when it wasn’t like this,” she said, “To see it hurts you, but I don’t think this is where we’re going to stay.”
Payton says it’s time to show the city of Memphis just how much good there is.
“There’s so much good that goes on downtown, there’s so much that like businesses do to pour back into the community … there’s so much that people who just frequent, live, work, play downtown do to like enhance the community, and we have to do a better job of uplifting that,” he said.
About Post Author
