Memphis really irritates me sometimes. I mean really, really irritates me. Midtown has long been a bastion for independent stores and retailers and it seems that more and more of them are having to close down these days. Apparently the Memphis economy, community, and/or government doesnt make it any easier for someone to open up shop or move their business to midtown either.
Longtime midtown resident bike repair shop, Midtown Bike, which moved a while back from McLean and Poplar to Overton Square, is now moving downtown to the South Main area. According to THIS Memphis Daily News article, the owner tried to find something in midtown but the rents were all too high and the buildings needed too much work. So he moved into the old Mode Du Jour space at 509 S. Main.
I hate to see a business like this go. When will property owners around here realize that it's ok to take a short term loss by lowering your rent if it means a tenant will be around long term. Before long (ok maybe already) midtown is going to be filled with more and more empty buildings that used to house some great, local businesses. I'm scared to think what will be next on the list of closings.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Midtown Bike moves Downtown
Love's Feed
Looks like the old Love's Feed building at Central and Cooper has a new owner who plans on opening a new business. It now says "Midtown Nursery" and the chain link fence that was surrounding the property has been taken down. I'll try to get some pictures later. I like this little building and I'm glad something other than a Dollar Store or gas station is moving in.
Also, I noticed the old "One More Beer" lesbian bar has taken down its for lease sign and some remodeling work has started up. I hope this place becomes a good locals bar because it's within easy walking distance to my house AND a great patio. I never really felt like I blended in at the lesbian bar for some reason.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Skatelife Memphis News
Skatelife Memphis is a project dedicated to getting Memphis it's own world class skatepark. This is something I'm 100% supportive of so I like to post any news or info that I get about the project. Below is a copy of an email that the people behind Skatelife sent me and I wanted to share it with anyone who cared to help out. Below that is one of the best skateboard videos I've ever seen. It's HD and even if you don't like skateboard, it's an awesomely gorgeous piece of filming.
Coming up in March and early April is your opportunity to make Memphis a great place to skate and recreate outdoors.
These meetings are being held so that the public can help the RDC decide how to master plan Mud Island.
Here is what the consulting group says who will be doing the planning for the RDC. "Public input is the foundation of this study," said Traci Sampson, principal of The Consilience Group. "We want to be sure whatever happens at the park is meeting the needs of the community."
It's time to show Memphis that we are desperate for more parks and recreational outlets - especially for wheeled enthusiasts!
It is critical that we show up at these meetings - ALL of us. You all showed up in mass for the Memphis Parks and Recreation demo last spring and that was for a 12,000 sqft park. Well now we/you are asking for 80,000 sqft park. That's the size of two Louisville skate parks! What we need to do is show up. The RDC staff was not at the last demo so they need to see how many of us there really are.
This is your time to tell the RDC how a major competition skate park could make downtown a rocking place - a place not only to find great food and music but to recreate and be entertained by skating. A place for the Xgames or the Mountain Dew Tour or just for hanging out.
We represent a huge national demographic and we need to let RDC know we are here. This park would cost around 3 million dollars. That may seem like a lot but the RDC is already building a 30 million dollar park (Beale Street Landing) directly across from Mud Island. We are asking for a park that will be packed day and day out and in my opinion will entertain the people hanging out at the Beale Street Landing Park. I believe that the Landing park's success will depend on the presence of highly entertaining recreational venue such as a skate park on Mud Island.
What you can do
- Come and bring ALL your friends AND family
- Get the word out (blogs,email lists, media, myspace)
- Read and be familiar with the statistics below
- Pass this email on
There will be two meetings
1.Downtown Meeting
Monday March 23rd from 5:45 - 7:15 pm
Location:MIRP Harbor Landing, 101 Island Drive (gate security will give
directions) Basically drive to Mud Island and go through the security gates. It's
on Mud Island.
2.Meeting at Memphis Botanical Gardens meeting
Thursday April 2nd from 5:45 - 7:15 pm
Location: Memphis Botanic Gardens, 750 Cherry Road (near Audobon Park)
skate - shot on red #1347 - 120 fps from www.theglobules.com on Vimeo.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
lolcats caption competition
This isn't really a typical competition, in that there isn't a prize give-a-way, but I just thought it'd be funny to see the responses I get with this.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Broad Ave. District formally recognized as Arts District
The cool little area knows as the Broad Avenue area, or maybe you know it as "the street that has that bar The Cove on it", is about to have some formal recognition. The Memphis City Council is putting forth a resolution this week to formally recognize the area as an "Arts District". This is great for the area that houses the Cove, Broadway Pizza, and many other one of a kind galleries and businesses. I've been waiting for this little strip to catch on for a few years now and it's nice to see the city formally recognize it. The Memphis Daily News had an article this morning about the resolution and some more details behind it. You can check it out HERE for some more info. I've noticed several small changes in the area over the past year or so, such as a redesigned street scape with more accessible street side parking and several storefront redesigns, so hopefully this formal recognition will bring some new advantages and businesses to the area. The article says that the neighborhood arts association is already planning an event for April so stayed tuned for more details.
