Tag: South Main Association

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WE SAW YOU: Trolley Night

Tim Vissia, Kelsi Ikeda, Taylor Whipple, and Brendan Sandefe heped kick off the 2024 Trolley Night Memphis season (Credit: Michael Donahue)

South Main Association’s Trolley Night began its 2024 season on March 29th with a taste of what’s in store for the monthly South Main district street party. Part of that taste was the free hamburgers from Earnestine & Hazel’s.

“This month was just a start of bringing everything together,” says South Main Association president Cori McCleskey. “Going forward we we will have themes as well as strategic partners.”

The Memphis Grizzlies and MATA will be the sponsors of April trolley night, which will be held April 26th.  As always, Trolley Night is held the last Friday of the month. Trolleys will be decorated in Grizzlies gear “to connect with the theme.”

And, McCleskey adds,  “We will have more music than we ever have had. Music will be played on the trolleys.”

Alessandra Daniele and Justin Soffer at Trolley Night (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Charles Thomas at Trolley Night (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Milton Howery and Kirby Boyd at Trolley Night (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Erica Smith at Trolley Night (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Sean Powers and Beans at Trolley Night (Credit: Michael Donahue)

South Main Association will also be activating its VIP area, next to Crave Cheesecake on South Main. The VIP area was open to the public with free Earnestine & Hazel’s hamburgers and music by DJ Tree Riehl during the March Trolley Night. “We’re still working on implementing the VIP area with new decor,” says McCleskey. “So it’s a bit welcoming. And using some lighting and, not just murals, but kind of artistic expression on the walls and grounds.”

In the future, McCleskey says, “We’ll have a different business cater each time. And there will be free beer and wine.”

To get into the VIP area, people must become a South Main Association member. “For an individual membership, it’s as low as $5 a month or $50 for the year,” says McCleskey. “And that gets you free access to the VIP area and the South Main Socials that are on the second Tuesday of the month. They always take place at some South Main hot spot.” And, she says, “New businesses are invited to speak and share the good news.”

The next South Main Social, on April 9th, will be held at Wiseacre Brewing Company at 398 South B. B. King Boulevard. The socials are from 6 to 8 p.m.-ish, McCleskey says.

The organization didn’t partner with anybody at the March Trolley Night because, McCleskey says, they wanted to “get in gear and work out the kinks. I think it was a great start, but we’re going to continue to make it bigger and better.”

Rachel Quinn, Jacob Woloshin, and Jeff Haas at Trolley Night (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Alessandra Daniele, Morgan Gaines, Jon Gaines, Nikhil Yedulla, Justin Soffer at Trolley Night (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Stephanie Elzey and Paul Shea at Trolley Night (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Me and my buddy, D.J Tree Riehl at Trolley Night (Credit: Kathy McLallen)
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We Saw You: Grind City Coffee Xpo, Hog and Hominy, Trolley Night, Masquerade Ball at Black Lodge

Bailee Pipkin and Brandon Lea at Grind City Coffee Xpo (Credit: MIchael Donahue)

Guests could jot down notes on the “method” and “tasting” of the coffee they sampled at the Grind City Coffee Xpo, a fundraiser for Save Our Aquifer held November 6th at the downtown Wiseacre Brewery. The list of coffee purveyors included Frothy Monkey, Honest Coffee Roasters, Dr. Bean’s Coffee & Tea Emporium, Ugly Mug, and others.

This year’s event, which drew around 600, was “100 percent successful,” says event co-host Daniel Lynn. “It was incredible. Just the support from both the coffee community and the Memphis community at large was awesome.”

Daniel Lynn, Harrison Hickok, and Angie Arnold at Grind City Coffee Xpo (Credit: Michael Donahue)

Event participants included coffee roasters, coffee shops, a tea shop and vendor, a coffee-mug maker, a T-shirt maker, a coffee frozen-treat business, and a farm.

The previous Grind City Coffee Xpo was held in March 2019 at the Memphis College of Art. Lynn is looking forward to next year’s event. “It’s definitely going to be in the fall again. I can’t remember why we had it in March the first time, but fall is the time for coffee, man. So, that’s what we’re doing.”

And, he says, “The first year we had it the day before ‘spring forward’ daylight savings. And this time, the day before ‘fall back’ daylight savings. Maybe to keep the good voodoo going I’m going to find out when the next fall back is and have it then. I believe in these little signs in the universe. Not to be too hippie about it.”

Ibrahim Carson, Adil Abdurahaman, Lina Khalafalla, and Amanda Ibrahim at Grind City Coffee Xpo (Credit: Michael Donahue)

Hog and Hominy Returns

Hog and Hominy chef/owners Andrew Ticer and Michael Hudman (Credit: Michael Donahue)

The eagerly-awaited return of Hog & Hominy restaurant took place with soft-opening events before the restaurant opened its doors to the public November 5th.

Shane and Jana Soefker and Joan and Jacob Biddle at the November 3rd Hog and Hominy soft opening. (Credit: Michael Donahue)

I tried the sweet breads, chicken liver mousse, poutine, octopus, and a couple of pizzas, including the classic Hog and Hominy Thunderbird during the November 3rd soft opening dinner. Everything was wonderful.

The restaurant at 707 West Brookhaven Circle has been widened in all directions after a 2020 fire. The beautiful bar area with booths and the dining room are elegant looking, but the restaurant still has that casual Hog and Hominy vibe.

Hog and Hominy November 3rd soft opening (Credit: Michael Donahue)

Trolley Night Finale For the Year

Kristen Herring-Hurd, Stoney Butler, and LaGina Mitchell Scott at Trolley Night (Credit: Michael Donahue)

Bands performed on stages on Main Street on October 29th — the final Trolley Night of the season.

“It was actually kind of a partnership with the Downtown Memphis Commission and Memphis Tourism Board for piecing that together,” says South Main Association president Eric Bourgeois. “They reached out to us and made sure it was going to be a feasible activation. And we knew the community would be 100 percent behind it. It was kind of a no-brainer for us.”

Trolley Night returned last June after a 19-month absence. “With the exception of the return of Trolley Night this spring, this was essentially the most attended Trolley Night over the last couple of years. So, we’re excited about that.”

Matt Borg and Kodi Estep at Trolley Night (Credit: Michael Donahue)

Stages were set up at G. E. Patterson Avenue and Main Street, Slider Inn Downtown on South Main, and Main Street and Beale Street. Trolley Nighters were treated to shows by performers including Al Kapone and the North Mississippi All-Stars. “We had equidistant stages,” says Bourgeois. “Something for everyone throughout the night, with the addition of several small shows at many of our businesses up and down Main Street.”

Stages won’t be set up at every Trolley Night, Bourgeois says. “While it was awesome and exciting for everyone, it was a large undertaking.” But, he adds, “It certainly was a success.”

Cooper McElroy and Walton during Trolley Night (Credit: Michael Donahue)

Halloween at Black Lodge

Dylan Powell and Matt Martin at the Halloween Masquerade Ball at Black Lodge (Credit: Michael Donahue)

The Halloween Masquerade Ball at Black Lodge celebrated its 20th anniversary on Halloween Night.

About 200 attended, says creator and a co-owner Matt Martin. “Normally, for the last 10 to 15 years that number has been closer to 500 or 600,” Martin says. “We knew this year would be smaller, as every show is now. But we were impressed with the turnout, all things considered. There’s still a lot of hesitation on the part of the public to go to events even when we’re requiring proof of vaccination and masks required.”

Sairen Moss at Halloween Masquerade Ball at Black Lodge (Credit: Michael Donahue)

What makes the Black Lodge Halloween event so special. “Besides the fact that it’s our anniversary — we opened three days before Halloween in 2000 — Memphians look forward to it every year. 

“Also what makes it extremely special is that after doing it so many years, in 2020 was the first time we didn’t do it. There were many markers for us that year that were painful. We all felt this (party) was so special. It was finally time to ask people to come back. It’s safe now. Let’s all visit and reconnect. And it’s a time when people need to reconnect now more than ever. It was an important event, not just for Black Lodge, but for the art community in Memphis.”

Sam Hendricks and Gabriela Locoasta at Halloween Masquerade Ball at Black Lodge (Credit: Michael Donahue)
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We Saw You: Trolley Night is Back

The monthly Trolley Night event returned June 25th (Credit: Michael Donahue)

Hunter Raines sums up the return to Trolley Night after a 19-month absence: “Glad to see crowded sidewalks again.” 

Raines and his wife, Sophie, were among the throng of people who attended the South Main Association event on Friday, June 25th.

Joviality was everywhere on a perfect weather-wise evening for the tour, which drew “at least 1,000 people,” estimates South Main Association president Eric Bourgeois. “It’s tough to put a number on it,” he says, adding, “It’s so strung out. In reality it starts around 5 and ends at 9 p.m. But for some people it ends at 1 a.m. There’s no set start and finish to Trolley Night. It’s whatever you make of your night.

“Trolley Night had something for everyone, whether you were enjoying live music at Slider Inn or shopping at Stock & Belle, or dancing the night night away, Soul Burger in hand, at Earnestine & Hazel’s at 2 a.m.”

Jessica Montesi, Montie Doss, and Erika Montesi were at Trolley Night (Credit: Michael Donahue)

The route is “loosely defined to allow for inclusion, especially on Trolley Night, when it’s all about supporting the neighborhood businesses. But it’s essentially from Martin Luther King north from Crump and west from B. B. King.

“In years past there was always kind of a mental stop at the G. E. Patterson area and Central Street Station. That long half mile stretch on to the next stop.”

This year, Ghost River Brewing Co., which is at Main Street and Crump Boulevard, was included. “They wanted to figure out how to have more representation on Trolley Night. So, the South Main Association coordinated with MATA for the first time to extend the trolley bus route all the way to include Ghost River at the South end of Main Street.”

(Credit: Michael Donahue)
(Credit: Michael Donahue)
(Credit: Michael Donahue)

More than 50 businesses take part in Trolley Night, Bourgeois says. “You had a combination of art gallery showings, live music at multiple locations, and you had different food and drink specials deals. And, thanks to the newly-implemented to-go alcohol rules, people were able to grab a cocktail and continue their stroll up and down South Main.”

It’s amazing to think that it’s been more than a year and a half since the last Trolley Night. “We didn’t have an official South Main sanctioned Trolley Night in all of 2020. We’re officially back.”

(Credit: Michael Donahue)
(Credit: Michael Donahue)
(Credit: Michael Donahue)
(Credit: Michael Donahue)

And, Bourgeois says, “We were able to reintroduce our South Main Association member lounge. That had the most attendees we ever had. Between Primas Bakery (+ Boutique) and the Trek bike shop.”

The South Main Association member’s lounge was the place to be on Trolley Night. (Credit: Michael Donahue)

This year’s event was “just a huge smashing return to the Trolley Nights of old. And it set the standard for the last Friday of the month to come.”

Mark your calendars. The next Trolley Night is July 30th.

(Credit: Michael Donahue)
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Reactions Divided on Riverside Reopening

Memphis River Parks Partnership/Facebook

Leaders of two Downtown neighborhood groups disagree on the recent reopening of Riverside Drive but both share concerns about safety on the street, especially in the wake of the shooting of a 13-year-old girl there last weekend.

Riverside Drive reopened permanently to full-time car traffic on Friday, March 12th. The street between Union and Georgia was closed to automobile traffic by city of Memphis officials in March 2020. That move was a part of the Safer-At-Home order to limit capacity at city parks, including Tom Lee Park on the Memphis riverfront.

At the time, the city’s engineering office said the closure was “for an indefinite amount of time.” The detour route had motorists using Crump Boulevard, Second Street, B.B. King Boulevard., and Jefferson Avenue.

Riverside was reopened to traffic during weekdays in August. But the parking lot to Tom Lee Park remained closed in an effort to limit capacity at the park.

The street has for years been closed for nearly two months each year for the Memphis In May International Festival.

Two men shot at each other from cars on Riverside when the street opened nearly two weeks ago. Bullets from one of those guns struck a 13-year-old girl riding a scooter near the street.

The reopening was pushed, in part, by the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA). Jerred Price, the group’s president, said in a statement that the closure was “problematic” for disabled Memphians who could not use Riverside to access the park. DNA said Front Street neighborhoods “grew very concerned” with the increased traffic.

The DNA said it convened a committee of other Downtown neighborhood associations. Nearly all in the group, “voiced their desire for the street to be reopened, the concerns of its closure, and how it adversely affects them and the people within their neighborhoods.”

”We are happy this taxpayer-paid-for byway is restored once again,” Price said in a statement. “However, we are not blind to the safety challenges and issues we face with this street. As with many other streets in our city, cruising, and law breakers make this street sometimes unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists.

George Abbott, director of external affairs with the Memphis River Parks Parnership (MRPP), said his group will “continue to work towards safer conditions on Riverside Drive.”

“We’ve been working for a number of years with stakeholders — the city of Memphis and Downtown Memphis Commission — on potential solutions,” Abbott said. “We look forward to putting some of those in place with the work that’s to be done on Tom Lee Park.”

In July and August 2020, the South Main Association (SMA) conducted a survey on riverfront safety and about Riverside Drive’s closure to motorized vehicles. The survey was intended primarily for SMA members, but the group left it open to the public. The survey got more than 300 responses from residents across Downtown.

SMA said, “as springtime activity increases around South Main, Riverside Drive, and the riverfront, we feel that now is the appropriate time to release the results.”
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Here are a few takeaways of the survey:

• 60.1 percent supported temporary closure of Riverside

• 52.9 percent supported permanent closure of Riverside

• 61.7 percent said they felt safer with closure of Riverside

• 51.5 percent felt it was important for Riverside to be open during commuting hours

• 78.1 percent supported weekend closures of Riverside

• 59.9 percent said the closure of Riverside made Tom Lee Park more accessible

• 75 percent said they increased their visits to Tom Lee Park after the closure of Riverside

Eric Bourgeois, president of the SMA, said no notice of the reopening was given to South Main residents, a move that was “disheartening to say the least.”

“Since last fall, all Memphians had access to a vehicle-free Riverside Drive on weekends,” Bourgeois said in a statement. “This enabled people to enjoy bike rides, dog walks, strolls with friends, and immediate access to Tom Lee Park.

“Now, Downtowners have to, once again, hear the roaring of modified pipes as people with no regard for pedestrians zoom up and down the street until the wee hours of the night, especially on the weekends. As I’m sure you know, these activities resulted in a teenager being shot last week.

“I am concerned that the rushed reopening of Riverside Drive, combined with the springtime, pent-up energy of people eager to get back outside, will present more problems than solutions for those who live, work, and play in South Main and Downtown Memphis.”

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Part of Mulberry Street To Close For Chisca Parking

CREDIT: Bianca Phillips

The restoration and planned development of the Chisca Hotel is moving along after an approved closure of a downtown street.

The unanimous approval to close Mulberry Street between Pontotoc and Dr. M.L.K. Jr. avenues came at a Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC) Design Review Board meeting last week.

The street will close to allow for more parking on the service lot east of the hotel building. That lot will be redesigned and landscaped, and it will be enclosed to only allow for Chisca parking.

The refurbished hotel will include 161 apartments, as well as retail and restaurant space on the street level. The redevelopment is being spearheaded by Main Street Apartment Partners LLC.

LYFE Kitchen — a fast-casual, health-focused restaurant startup chain — will be moving into the property. LYFE is currently headquartered in Palo Alto, California, but it will be moving its base of operations to Memphis in 2015.

Members of the South Main Association objected to the Mulberry Street closure. At the DMC meeting, Ben Avant, a former president of the association, read from a prepared statement from members, some of whom were looking forward to seeing the street open again after construction was complete. Currently, the street is blocked off with construction equipment.

“One of South Main’s biggest strengths is our unique pedestrian environment,” Avant said. “Reducing this pedestrian access by closing this stretch of Mulberry will affect the surrounding blocks by further dividing the area and dominating the urban setting.”

The DMC design review board’s staff report opposed closing Mulberry Street, but it recommended approval of the design of the reconfigured lot.

Bianca Phillips

Mulberry Street, by the Chisca, will be closed.

“Closing public streets runs counter to basic urban design theory about how to strengthen the pedestrian connections and enhance the pedestrian experience,” the staff report reads.

Brett Roler, the director of planning with the DMC, said the proposal might not fall into what the board is supposed to decide.

“From [the] staff’s perspective, if you can see that it’s okay to close a street and you can see that it’s okay to configure the parking lot this way, what they’re proposing is consistent with the guidelines in terms of the design of the fence [enclosure], the size of the fence, the character of the fence, and the character of the landscaping,” Roler said. “We believe all of that to be appropriate. The question really is, ‘Is it okay to close a public street to accommodate a parking lot?'”

Roler also questioned whether or not Mulberry functions as a street anymore, which prompted later discussion from the board about tourists who navigate to the National Civil Rights Museum, partly due to Google Maps guiding unknowing tourists onto that road versus taking them down Main Street.

Terry Lynch, a partner in the development group, said the size of the reconfigured block would be consistent with the blocks in the surrounding area, like the Memphis, Light, Gas, and Water property as well as the Orpheum property.

“It’s very consistent when you do big projects like this that you include the areas around it,” Lynch said, citing the Peabody Place project among others. “In the 10 years since the FedExForum, since we spent $250 million and got a great Grizzlies team, that building looks like it was built three years ago. It looks great. But if you look around there, there hasn’t been one permit issued. There’s been no economic development. This is the first attempt that’s been made to do anything in 10 years — in this case, 20 years. We’re stepping up to the table, putting $25 million into this asset that’s going to open up South Main like you’ve never seen before.”