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We Saw You

We Saw You: Young Avenue Sound Throws Down

The grand re-opening party for Young Avenue Sound, which was held September 25th, was a great Memphis music night. And it capped off a music weekend that included Gonerfest 19, which was having its after-party at Bar DKDC the same night.

I loved running into old friends I hadn’t seen in a long time at the studio at 2258 Young Avenue.

I got to hear Dylan Dunn sing and play guitar, along with Ryan Peel on drums and Rhyan Tindall on bass. What a great voice. Ditto to Ava Carrington, whose performance I heard on a video taken at the party. She’s fabulous, too. I had to leave for a while to attend the birthday cookout for my two-year-old great nephew, Bennett Michael Kerley, but I came back. The party was too much fun.

Ava Carrington and Dylan Dunn at Young Avenue Sound grand re-opening party (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Ryan Peel at Young Avenue Sound grand re-opening party (Credit: Michael Donahue)

And I even sat down at the piano and played some late ‘20s type jazz renditions of music. Not something that probably is heard too often at Young Avenue Sound. I actually sat down more than once. Un-asked.

The public was invited to tour the studio and also view the short-term rentals, which are on the order of Airbnbs. And John Michael, who recently moved to Memphis from Santa Monica, California, was on hand at the new 96X FM studio, which he is setting up inside Young Avenue Sound.

John Michael at Young Avenue Sound grand re-opening party (Credit: Michael Donahue)

Taylor Berger of Two Broke Bartenders, and Elliott Ives, a songwriter/co-producer and a longtime studio and touring guitarist with Justin Timberlake, bought Young Avenue Sound on Valentine’s Day 2022, along with some partners, including including Scott Bartlett from Saving Abel.

Elliott Ives and Cameron Mann, former co-owner with his dad, Don Mann, of Young Avenue Sound at the studio’s grand re-opening party (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Taylor Berger at Young Avenue Sound grand re-opening party (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Scott Bartlett and Jill Goff at Young Avenue Sound grand re-opening party (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Sandra Adair and Vivian Ives at Young Avenue Sound grand re-opening party (Credit: Michael Donahue)

Guests toured the new studios, which included an editing suite that’s an homage to the late Leo Goff III, who was Yo Gotti’s engineer for 19 years. Goff’s mother, Jill Goff, was at the open house.

Lawrence Matthews, Pat Mitchell Worley, Violette Worley at Young Avenue Sound grand re-opening party (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Dame Mufasa and Spekulate the Philosopher at Young Avenue Sound grand re-opening party (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Louise Page at Young Avenue Sound grand re-opening party (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Jeremy Stanfill at Young Avenue Sound grand re-opening party (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Rachel and Blair Davis at Young Avenue Sound grand re-opening party (Credit: Michael Donahue)

I like what Ives told me about Young Avenue Sound in a previous interview: “My ultimate goal is to eventually make Memphis better than a C+ market by bringing a viable music business infrastructure back to where we can provide our home-grown talent with the power and global reach that it deserves.”

And I like what Scott Bartlett told me the day after the party: “I feel like we’re making great strides. We’ve kept all the flavor and history of the building while adding a modern twist. And this is just the beginning.”

Christian B. Walker at Young Avenue Sound grand re-opening party (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Lana J. and Isaac Daniel at Young Avenue Sound grand re-opening party (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Robert and Maggie Anthony of Midnight Sirens and Milton McLellan Jr. at Young Avenue Sound grand re-opening party (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Andrew Geraci at Young Avenue Sound grand re-opening party (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Thomas Bergstig at Young Avenue Sound grand re-opening party (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Max Waldkirch at Young Avenue Sound grand re-opening party (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Jonathan and Jana Finder at Young Avenue Sound grand re-opening party (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Young Avenue Sound grand re-opening party (Credit: Michael Donahue)

High Limit Room at Gold Strike

Gold Strike general manager Max Fisher cuts the ribbon to open the High Limit Room (Credit: Michael Donahue)

I attended another grand re-opening of a beautiful place on September 14th in  Tunica, Mississippi. I was at the unveiling of Gold Strike Casino Resort’s $4-million dollar High Limit Room.

According to the press release from Gold Strike, the High Limit Room gaming area was “newly renovated and expanded.”

And, it says, it includes “111 high-limit slot machines and nine table games, including two Baccarat tables.”

Also, the High Limit Room includes “exclusive cage and credit services, dedicated cocktail service, and a VIP lounge.”

High Limit Room at Gold Strike Casino Resort(Credit: Michael Donahue)
High Limit Room at Gold Strike Casino Resort(Credit: Michael Donahue)

A quote in the release from Kelly Askosua Kena, principal at DESMOTIF Studios, says, “The character of the space is timeless and defined by its use of clean lines and the rich materials used combine for an impressive visual impact.”

Gold Strike general manager Max Fisher, cut the ribbon to signify the opening of the High Limit Room.

We Saw You
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Music Music Blog

Young Avenue Sound to Hold Grand Re-Opening Party

Young Avenue Sound will hold its grand re-opening party from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, September 25th at 2258 Young Avenue.

The public is invited to tour the studio, view the short-term rentals that are on the order of Airbnbs, listen to live music, eat, and drink.

They also can view the new 96X FM studio, which is operated by John Michael, who recently moved from Santa Monica, California to Memphis.

John Michael in the new 96X FM radio station at Young Avenue Sound (Credit: Michael Donahue)

Taylor Berger and Elliott Ives bought Young Avenue Sound on Valentine’s Day 2022. Berger’s Two Broke Bartenders team manages the seven rental units. Ives, a songwriter/co-producer and a longtime studio and touring guitarist with Justin Timberlake, will be over the studio side of the building.

Ives describes the open house as “a grand reception, which will include anybody who has seen the building before, worked there, and wants to see a new studio in Memphis.”

Club owners, who need to find places for touring band members to play, can look at the short-term rentals, which are equipped with kitchens, Ives says. “This is a better way. A cheaper way.”

Young Avenue Sound is now “a one stop shop for musicians, bands.”

The studios include the original “high tracking room. All we did to that room was move the piano from low tracking onto the stage in there.”

And, he adds, “The room sounds so good we didn’t want to change anything. We want to keep it the same esthetic.”

That was the “original intention” of former owner, the late Don Mann. “Just when they built that studio.  It’s there in its original form.”

Young Avenue Sound’s original high tracking room (Credit: Michael Donahue)

The new Studio B, which was newly built within the low tracking room, is now the production suite for Ives and chief engineer Scott Hardin.

The remainder of low tracking is fully remodeled and has an editing suite and serves as “an homage to the late Leo Goff III. He’s a mentor. He worked at Young Avenue Sound on and off for years. He, basically, taught me everything I know about music engineering. He was a huge influence on me. He was Yo Gotti’s engineer for 19 years.”

Goff’s equipment, which includes his vintage analog collection, fills the room. 

Ryan Peel in the homage to Leo Goff (Credit: Michael Donahue)

Studio A’s new control room has been completely remodeled “to upgrade the monitoring experience that Young Avenue Sound had not had before.”

Ives wanted “a completely different working configuration.”

Blair Davis in Studio A control room (Credit: Michael Donahue)

They put in new speakers and built a wall to house the JBL monitors, which Goff gave to Ives. “I’m going a little bit more modern, but staying hybrid as far as vintage outboard gear goes.”

For instance, their console is “a classic NEVE VR32,” he says.  A lot of studios are “getting rid of their consoles and going straight digital in the box, which is all digital on the computer. And we’re making it hybrid, so if somebody wants to mix in a classic way all spread out on a console, he can do that.”

Young Avenue Sound includes Ethan Hunt, Blair Davis, Elliott Ives,Taylor Berger, Ryan Peel, and Dane Giordano (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Listening room at Young Avenue Sound (Credit: Michael Donahue)

Musicians also can work out of some of the short-term living spaces, which used to be Ives’ studio. “They can bring their laptops and still have studio functionality.”

A short term rental living space at Young Avenue Sound (Credit: Michael Donahue)

Ives, who began working at Young Avenue Sound about 20 years ago, had no idea he would one day own the studio. He decided to make it a “world class studio.”

Music for the open house will be provided by Ava Carrington and Dylan Dunn. Music broadcast by 96X also will be playing. Light appetizers will be provided by Mulan Asian Bistro. Memphis Made Brewing Company will provide the beer. Wine also will be available.

“My ultimate goal is to eventually make Memphis better than a C-plus market  by bringing a viable music business infrastructure back to where we can provide our home-grown talent with the power and global reach that it deserves.”

Young Avenue Sound (Credit: Michael Donahue)
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News

Young Avenue Sound Now Includes Short-Term Rentals and Recording Studio

Taylor Berger, founder of Two Broke Bartenders, is passionate about creating and managing short-term rentals for people who want to experience Memphis.

On Valentine’s Day 2022, Berger and Elliott Ives bought Young Avenue Sound, which they are converting into spaces that can be rented as short-term rentals on the order of Airbnbs. Half of the building will continue to be a recording studio. The overall name for the building is “Young Avenue Sound.”

A grand reopening party for Young Avenue Sound will be September 24th.

Young Avenue Sound (Credit: Michael Donahue)

Berger’s Two Broke Bartenders team currently manages seven units at Young Avenue Sound. Berger, who began Two Broke Bartenders in 2020, says, “Two Broke Bartenders was founded because all of the service industry was essentially laid off at the same time at the beginning of the pandemic. They needed employment. That’s how it was founded. Then, over time, it ended up specializing in moving and property maintenance and then only recently specializing in short-term rentals like Airbnbs.”

Ives, a songwriter/co-producer and a longtime studio and touring guitarist with Justin Timberlake, will be over the studio side of the building. “I had thought about buying this building in 2018 and just wasn’t able to get the people here to do it,” Ives says. “The studio business is a tough business.

“We own the building and then there’s a few adjacent properties. The house and the back house behind it. Another house across the street on Philadelphia we own together.”

Ives already had been working out of Young Avenue Sound. “The building is so eccentric. All these bits and bogs, nooks and crannies, different styles.”

So, he and Berger thought, “Why not turn it into a short-term living space and take pressure off the studio business? This is either the craziest thing or genius.”

They split the building in half, Ives says. “I built a studio within a studio. I moved the big piano and took my operation, which I had on the other side for seven years, and built a room within a room. And did not how how it was going to turn out. It’s not completely finished yet. It will be within a month. So far, it’s working out great.”

Chief engineer Scott Hardin works on an EP for the band, Jombi, with drummer Bry Hart at Young Avenue Sound as Michael Rose, left, looks on. (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Living room in a Young Avenue Sound short-term rental. (Credit: Michael Donahue)
A bedroom in a Young Avenue Sound short-term rental. (Credit: Michael Donahue)

Performers already are working in the new studio space. “We’re working with Jeremy Stanfill doing his new EP. And I’m working with this 17-year-old freaking artist, Ava Wilson.”

They’re currently finishing her EP. Her boyfriend, musician Dylan Dunn, who is related to Donald “Duck” Dunn, is in Memphis from California “playing on her stuff. And they’ve got a band together.”

Berger also partnered with Shelby County Commissioner Reginald Milton’s nonprofit SMA Social Suds Laundromat and community resource center to do laundry for the short-term rentals. “I’ve known Reginald forever and I just had loads and loads of laundry,” Berger says. “I knew he had this laundromat.”

He told Milton, “I’m drowning in laundry. Can you help me?”

“What was so ironic was he had been working on a business plan to start doing laundry for (short-term rental) owners. This gave him a chance to pilot something he’d been wanting to do for months.

“The machines are not being used at night. So, it’s a really good business for him to get into.”

And, Berger says, “This provides jobs to the South Memphis people he is already helping. His mission is a nonprofit. The laundromat just helps sustain their nonprofit mission.”

“One hundred percent of this money we make goes to support our 144 foster youths,” Milton says. “We are presently seeking the donation of a van so we can do the pickup and drop-off services.”

For more photos of Young Avenue Sound, go to offbeat.love and click “book now.”

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We Recommend We Saw You

Two Broke Bartenders Take on Yet Another Role Beginning November 23rd

Joey Magnifico and Chris Stalcup of Two Broke Bartenders



When I wrote the first story on Two Broke Bartenders on March 21st, the group was known as “Two Broke Bartenders and a Truck.”

It was in the darkest part of the pandemic when just about all businesses were shut down and people were sheltered in place.

I wrote in part that laid-off bartenders “are now yard tenders. Or handymen and women who do all types of chores around the house. Same goes for out-of-work cooks, servers, and other restaurant men and women.”

It was started by Taylor Berger, who also is an operating partner in the group that owns Railgarten, Loflin Yard, Rec Room, and Bounty on Broad, as a way to help his former employees.

Two Broke Bartenders, which began with a handful of people, now includes two dozen former restaurant workers who decided to remain with the business and not to return to their old jobs.

The company grew to include moving services, junk removal, home repair, outdoor building and full-service landscaping and building as a licensed general contractor.

They now have their own headquarters in County Glass, which is in the old Skateland roller skating rink at 5137 Old Summer.

For the holiday season, Two Broke Bartenders is taking on a Santa’s helper role. They’ve partnered with The Shops of Saddle Creek to gift wrap and deliver merchandise to the doorsteps of the homes of customers who ordered the items.  Customers who just want the gift wrapping service can visit Two Broke Bartenders’ “Holiday Wrap Headquarters” between Talbot’s and Sephora. They can wait or have the gift delivered.

The Holiday Wrap Headquarters will be open daily beginning November 23rd and will run through December 24th. For more information, visit twobrokebartenders.com or text them at (901) 450-5990.

Cody Rogers is one of Two Broke Bartenders Santa’s Helpers.

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We Recommend We Saw You

Downtown Neighorhood Association and Two Broke Bartenders are Cleaning Up



Miles Kovarik

Jerred Price and Taylor Berger join forces to fight blight in downtown and uptown Memphis.

When he’s on stage performing his show, “Almost Elton John & the Rocketmen,” Jerred Price dresses as Elton John. “I come out in platform shoes, sequined glasses, and suits and we rock and roll,” Price says.

Off stage, Price usually wears a button-up shirt and a pair of slacks or jeans, but he still is rocking and rolling as he gets the job done as president of the Downtown Neighborhood Association.

Price, 32, who was elected president in February, recently launched “DNA’s Fight the Blight Program” with Taylor Berger of Two Broke Bartenders, to clean up blighted areas of Downtown and Uptown Memphis. The crew took on its first three properties in the Uptown area on July 31st.

It all began when Price called Berger to get someone from Two Broke Bartenders to do some lawn maintenance on some of his properties. Berger is the operating partner of Two Broke Bartenders LLC and Party Memphis, the group that owns Railgarten, Loflin Yard, Rec Room, Bounty on Broad, and Highland Axe & Rec.

“He told me the story about how he formed this company to help people who are out of work in the service industry due to COVID,” Price says. “I thought, ‘What a great way to give back to people, and help people maintain a living.”

It struck a chord with Price. “As president, I get calls and our district captains get calls about blighted spaces downtown. We try to work closely with 311, the action center they’ve got for complaints and neighborhood concerns. We try to work closely with Steve Shular (special assistant to the mayor for neighborhood concerns), but there’s only so much they can do and chase after these concerns and overgrown lawns and illegal dumping.

“So, I said, ‘Why don’t we, as the association, help neighborhoods and develop a program where we can tackle the issues ourselves? What better way than a company full of people who used to be service industry bartenders and waiters and give them some more work and money in their pocket?’”

Price called Berger and said, “How would you like to help partner with DNA and help fight the blight?’ And he said he’d love to do it.”

Jay Livingston and Lauren Dunn from Two Broke Bartenders tackled the first three lots. “Two were vacant lots that were just overgrown,” Price says. “One was an abandoned home.”

Laruren Dunn and Jay Livingtson from Two Broke Bartenders on the job with ‘DNA’s Flight the Blight Program’.

“I went Friday and met them for our launch of the program, so to speak. It was basically overgrown lawn and shrubbery and trees, and tires that were being dumped. Trash was all around the property.”

Price says Livingston and Dunn cleaned it up and got it back to a level that was more maintained. While we were there, a neighbor asked what we were doing. We said, ‘We’re here to clean it up.’ She was just elated. She said, ‘I’m so happy somebody is finally cleaning up this property.’”

The job was done in four hours. “They got all three properties done.”

Livingston, 36, a former bartender at Chili’s Wolfchase, also is a deejay. He was amazed at how overgrown the properties were. Where the house was, he says, “You couldn’t even walk up the stairs or see the front door. We knocked out some of the grass that was two-and-a-half feet tall.”

A bartender, Dunn, 33, helped open Eight & Sand at Central Station Hotel. “I love slinging cool drinks,” she says.

She did “a lot of weed whacking and vine removal” at the uptown properties.” As for her specialty in Two Broke Bartender projects, Dunn says, “I really enjoy anything that’s going to help property really pop and make them look beautiful. Whether it’s yardwork or laying some flagstone — just anything that helps. Things that take a little bit more creative eye.”

Miles Kovarik

Lauren Dunn from Two Broke Bartenders gets the job done.

“That was only three of many such properties,” Price says. “There are several dozen, I’m sure.” 

The group is looking for sponsors for the program “We have to pay the company and the bartenders and service people that are doing the work. We want to pay them and make sure we have the money to send the crews out there. We’re looking for companies that are passionate about blight to be sponsors. And we’ll promote the sponsor through social outreach through the Downtown Neighborhood Association and our email and our bi-weekly email (The DNA Biweekly Newsletter).” (Those wishing to become sponsors can email downtownneighborhoodassn@gmail.com.)

“What we would like to do is start sponsorships at $500 for the month. That should pay for the services for that month for us to hire the crews and go out and tackle the concerns. If we find it picks up, we may do two sponsors for the month.”

People who want to report downtown or uptown areas of blight, also can email the DNA, Price says. “If they’re a member of DNA, they can call their district captain and report the issue as well. All of our phone numbers of the board of directors are on our website, dnamemphis.org.”

An insurance adjuster, Price also serves as commissioner for Memphis City Beautiful. “So, this is right in line for my passion for a cleaner, more beautiful Memphis as well.”

And f you want to catch Price’s Elton John show, he will perform 7 to 10 p.m. August 7th at Lafayette’s Music Room in Overton Square. To see a video of Two Broke Bartenders at work on DNA’s Fight the Blight project, click here.

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We Recommend We Saw You

Two Broke Bartenders and a Truck

Jessica Tyler

Steven Hamblin, a member of Two Broke Bartenders and a Truck.

With Two Broke Bartenders and a Truck, laid-off bartenders are now yard-tenders. Or handymen and women who do all types of chores around the house. Same goes for out-of-work cooks, servers, and other restaurant men and women who work for Party Memphis businesses.

Taylor Berger, operating partner of Two Broke Bartenders LLC, is also operating partner of Party Memphis, the group that owns Railgarten, Loflin Yard, Rec Room, Bounty on Broad, and Highland Axe & Rec.

“I started Two Broke Bartenders to respond to the demand from our restaurant customers who are now stuck at home but still need essential services and products — errands, yard work, handyman services, etc.” Berger says. “Using the assets we already had — vehicles and a bunch of awesome staff with no restaurant work but lots of skills — I just connected the customers and our staff through our website: twobrokebartenders.com.

“So far, it’s all people who have worked at our restaurants. Some cooks and back of house and also some bartenders and front of house.”

Two Broke Bartenders workers wear masks. Customers are emailed an invoice so they don’t have to have any physical contact with the workers. Groceries are left on the porch. Before they leave, workers wave goodbye to customers.

As bar manager at Railgarten, Steven Hamblin, 35, usually is “making sure everyone is where they’re supposed to be.” And, he says, “There’s some times when I get thrown behind the bar to help with the rush.”

But, lately, instead of wielding a cocktail shaker, Hamblin has been wielding a weed-trimmer. Since the temporary layoff, he’s outdoors instead of indoors.

“I’ve cut the yard, weed-eated before,” Hamblin says. “But I haven’t done a lot because I’ve mostly been in an apartment.”

He liked the idea of Two Broke Bartenders and a Truck. “I thought it was a good way to keep the money coming in. I was planning on laying low and drawing unemployment and applying for jobs, looking for jobs while I was out of work at Railgarten.”

As for yard work, Hamblin says, “I actually haven’t cut any yards yet. I’ve done some pressure washing. We have taken down a play swing set, a jungle gym, and hauled that off. We hauled off some trash people didn’t want in their yards.”

And, he says, “I’ve gone on beer runs. I’ve gone to the pet store for dog bones. Grocery shopping.”

He’s also gotten adept at using a chainsaw. “We were using a chainsaw the last couple of days and the chain came off the track.” Hamblin watched a co-worker get the chain fixed. The next time it broke, he got it on. “I got it on there quicker than either one of them.

“The more you do something, the better you get at it. I’m not afraid of doing something I’ve never done before. New life circumstances. It makes me think I want to do some of this stuff on my own, if nothing else, just in the yard. It empowers you a little bit.”

Jessica McGill, 35, a bartender at Railgarten and at Bounty on Broad, says, “They have put me mostly on yard-work ‘cause I have my own equipment. I’ve got mowers, chainsaw, pressure washers, all the landscaping equipment for yard-work just ‘cause it’s always been something I enjoy and I always keep up with it at home. It really is a kind of therapy.

“With the circumstances of COVID being timed with the changing of the seasons, this is the time of year folks would be getting out to do that first few major days of yard work after a long winter of downed leaves and dead stuff. There’s a lot of work to do.”

McGill brings her own truck. “I have an SUV so I’ve been able to load all my equipment in that. Strap the wheelbarrow to the roof. Kind of a one-woman yard show.” So far, she’s been working “every single day there hasn’t been a big rain in the forecast.”

And, she says, “What’s really struck me the most about this new endeavor is the community. My mom has this saying — it’s not original to her — but, ‘We all belong to each other.’ As soon as I get to a client’s house I thank them for the opportunity. And each one has responded in the same way. They want to help. It really feels like Memphians are rallying in lots of different ways. In a service industry you can have really rough shifts. You get a guest who can never be pleased. This feels like the opposite of that. It just feels like really loving support. They want to see us thrive during this time of uncertainty.

“A friend of mine always says what’s different from Memphis and other cities is the people. There’s this fierce loyalty. I have really felt that. This kind of ride-or-die thought pattern. People are just fiercely supporting each of us this way. Being a part of Two Broke Bartenders and a Truck has made me so proud to be a Memphian. A transplant, not by birth, but, definitely, by heart.”


See the “Two Broke Bartenders” video by Mark Edgar Stuart. The video was filmed and edited by Bella Golightly.

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We Recommend We Saw You

901 Day, Raiford Day, Fight Night, Living Awards

8Ball & MJG with MJD (Michael Joseph Donahue) at 901 Day at Railgarten.

Taylor Berger was pleased with the 8Ball & MJG show that capped the 901 Day festivities, held September 1st at Railgarten.

“That was pure Memphis, man,” Berger says. “It was black, white, young, old, everything in between. Everybody was dancing, happy, having fun.”

A crowd of 1,000 attended the concert, says Berger, who is managing partner of PartyMemphis.com, which also owns Loflin Yard, The Rec Room, and the newly-opened Highland Axe & Rec.

Loflin Yard was buzzing on 901 Day, but so was Railgarten, where people relaxed on a pleasant but warm Sunday afternoon.

Highland Axe & Rec opened to the public at 4 p.m. on “904 Day” — September 4th.

Movie posters from famous ax murderer movies line a Highland Axe hallway. These include Friday the 13th and The Shining.

One missing was the poster from the 1964 movie, Straitjacket, which shows a crazed-looking Joan Crawford wielding an axe aloft and, presumably, shrieking. The bull’s eye she’s aiming for probably isn’t part of the concentric circles targets found at Highland Axe.

Berger says the Straitjacket poster would be perfect for his new place, but he can’t find one online.

Michael Donahue

Taylor Berger at Railgarten.

MIchael Donahue

Germantown mayor Mike Palazzolo, March Gates, Mac Hopper were at Loflin Yard

Michael Donahue

Brent Hooks was at Loflin Yard

Michael Donahue

Reuben Skahill, Ryan Joseph Hopgood, and Alex Harkavy at Loflin Yard

MIchael Donahue

Railgarten

MIchael Donahue

Loflin Yard

Michael Donahue

Taylor Berger and staff get ready to greet customers before 4 p.m. opening Sept. 4th at Highland Axe & Rec.

Michael Donahue

Robert Raiford

Fans of the late Robert Raiford turned out to celebrate “Hollywood” Raiford Day, which was held August 23rd downtown at Paula and Raiford’s Disco.

Some of them even danced in the blocked-off street on a lit-up disco floor.

The city presented her father “with his own day,” says Paula Raiford. “Every 8/23 will be Robert Raiford Day. I got in contact with the city last year and asked could I get that day for him. It’s his birthday.”

Raiford would have been 77 on his last birthday.

About 200 attended the event, Paula says.

Pat Kerr Tigrett donated the dance floor for the event.

And, if you missed the party, don’t worry. “I’ll be doing this every year,” Paula says.


MIchael Donahue

Paula Raiford

MIchael Donahue

Robert ‘Hollywood’ Raiford Day

Michael Donahue

Howard Summers was the victor in his bout at Fight Night.

Fight Night isn’t your typical party with silent and live auctions, dinner, and some type of musical performance.

This party presents boxing bouts with real boxers duking it out in a ring.

This year’s event, presented by the Phoenix Club, was held August 24th at Minglewood Hall. Fight Night is a fund-raiser for Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis.

“We had approximately 250 people and raised $13,500,” says Phoenix Club president Jack Steffner.

Michael Brennan and Will Carter were co-chairs. Carter also was one of the boxers. And he won his bout.

“We are thrilled with the results of this year’s Fight Night,” Steffner says. “And we look forward to making it bigger and better next year.

“Fight Night is unlike any other charity function in the city. Where else can you see bankers and insurance salesmen duke it out in a boxing ring? Our goal is to provide a unique experience, which gets people excited to come out and support the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis. We are already booking fights for next August and we look forward to seeing everyone there.”

Michael Donahue

Will Carter

Michael Donahue

Fight Night

Michael Donahue

Fight Night

Michael Donahue

Living Awards recipients: George Cates, Dr. Jide Anyigbo, Dr. Philip Baker, (both representing Good Shepherd Pharmacy), Dr. Alim Khandekar, Dr. Bryan Simmons, Darrell Raber

About 400 attended this year’s Living Awards at the 37th Living Awards Benefit, which was held August 8th at The Peabody.

This year’s honorees were George Cates, Darrell Raber, Dr. Alim Khandekar, Dr. Bryan Simmons, and Good Shepherd Pharmacy.

The benefit honors individuals and organizations exemplifying the faith-based, healing mission of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare through their efforts to improve the health of their community locally and beyond.


                                     WE SAW YOU AROUND TOWN

Michael Donahue

Marie Pizano and Talbott Howard at their engagement party at Mesquite Chop House in Germantown.

Michael Donahue

Allician Holley, Ava Cox, and Clentis ‘CJ’ Jennings at Gibson’s Donuts.

Michael Donahue

Will Johnson downtown at Union and Front.

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Food & Drink Hungry Memphis

Highland Axe & Rec to open Sept. 4th

MIchael Donahue

Highland Axe & Rec offers three lanes and six targets for axe throwing.


It’s time to start limbering up. Highland Axe & Rec opens Sept. 4th at 525 South Highland.

It’s safe to say this 5,000-square-foot venue isn’t your usual Highland Strip watering hole.

Highland Axe offers three lanes with six targets. People stand behind a line and throw an axe and try to hit the target.

It also offers food, two bars, games, three 12-by-10 foot projector screens, and three other TVs, plus plenty of seating. Highland Axe also has a basketball-throwing machine and  video game arcades and pinball machines.

But let’s start with the axe throwing.

Throwing that axe isn’t easy at first. I tried it twice and hit the flat of the axe against the wall both times.

Taylor Berger, managing partner in Partymemphis.com, which owns Highland Axe, Rec Room, Railgarten, and Loflin Yard, showed me the proper way to throw. You hold the axe in two hands with arms raised, take two steps forward, and throw. Berger’s throw, by the way, was right on the money.

You might have thrown an axe or two if you’ve been to the Rec Room. But Highland Axe is the ultimate when it comes to axe throwing. The back area, where the lanes are located, also includes a wide-screen TV, a bar, beer pong and seating for about 30 people. That space was a storage area until they converted it, Berger says.

Why axe throwing? “I got hooked on playing,” Berger says. He’d go to Rec Room with his buddies after the kids had gone to bed and throw some axes. But there’s no kitchen at Rec Room. Now, at Highland Axe, you can eat, drink and be an ax champion.

The main area includes three living room areas, each with its own set of couches and giant projector screen. You can rent out the seating areas to play video games, or, if nobody is renting them, you can relax and watch sports.

Berger installed a deluxe sound system, which will come in handy at Highland Axe dance parties and DJ nights. He also will offer occasional live music.

The menu includes a variety of appropriately-named items, including the “Axe,” “Big Axe,” and “Fat Axe” (thee patties) hamburgers.

The “Kick Axe Chicken Sammie” is a whole, marinated fried chicken breast with melted cheese, served plain, buffalo, or chicken jerk style. Chef Russell Casey came up with the menu.

I’m intrigued by the “Bad Axe Pop-Tarts,” which are pancake battered deep-fried strawberry Pop-Tarts with whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles. You get two to an order.

Movie posters from famous axe-related movies, including Friday the 13th, Golden Axe, American Psycho, The Shining, and So I Married an Ax Murderer, will hang on the walls.

Will they actually run axe movies at Highland Axe?

“Frequently. Yes,” Berger says.

Highland Axe & Rec will be open from 4:30 p.m. until late on weekdays and 11 a.m. until late on weekends.

Michael Donahue

People can play games or watch sports on giant projector screens in comfy living room areas.

Michael Donahue

Taylor Berger

Michael Donahue

Taylor Berger shows how it’s done.

Categories
Food & Drink Hungry Memphis

5 Memphis Food Scandals!

Y’all sure do like a good scandal — with its accompanying sputtering WTFing.

So, today, friends, we look back at 5 Memphis food scandals.

1. Gibson’s Donuts and Marsha Blackburn

5 Memphis Food Scandals!

Who doesn’t like a good donut? Apparently, hate merchant, newly minted senator Marsha Blackburn loves them. So much so that she made a stop Tuesday morning at the beloved Memphis fixture Gibson’s Donuts. Welp, folks let owner Don DeWeese know they did not appreciate it, and DeWeese responded that he did not invite her and everybody deserves a donut.

So did the donut clinch Blackburn’s win? Only the devil knows for sure.

2. Taylor Berger vs. Midtown Nursery

Taylor Berger’s plans for his Truck Stop at the corner of Central and McLean were doomed from the start. First, to some controversy, the plan ousted Midtown Nursery, then the plans met with resistance from the neighborhood and Code Enforcement.

Ultimately, Berger and his partner ditched the plan after working on it for two years. As for Midtown Nursery, it got booted from its next location due to plans for apartments.

3. Kelly English denies Tony Parker service

Restaurant Iris owner Kelly English raised a ruckus (and affection from Grizzlies fans) when he suggested he denied NBA player Tony Parker a seat at his restaurant.

Ultimately, this scandal fizzled out when it was reported that the restaurant was booked up anyway and couldn’t accommodate the request.

4. Imagine Vegan Cafe’s Butthole problem

Ah, Butthole Gate. Such fond, fond memories. Imagine Vegan Cafe’s owner Kristy Jeffrey reacted badly to a reviewer who noted that a child’s dirty feet and bare bottom were not appetizing. Also, yodeling was involved.

The furor raged on for days and made national news. Jeffrey tried to capitalize on the situation, but the situation ended like many on social media, it faded away.

5. That Creep Jason Doty

Local baker/foodtruck owner Jason Doty was always present on the food scene and he was a known abuser. With every new project he undertook, critics took to social media to decry his continued opportunities. A project with Cash Saver was cancelled after such an effort.

He was sentenced to 25 years in prison early this year after an incident that harmed his infant child. 

Categories
Food & Wine Food & Drink

A look back at 2017 food news

2017 was looking to make me a liar. In last year’s “Look Ahead” story, I had several places set to open that just barely made it this year. They include: Sunrise, the biscuit-centered breakfast place from Central BBQ’s Craig Blondis and Roger Sapp and Sweet Grass’ Ryan Trimm, which opened in late November; the food hall South Main Market, which held a grand opening on December 2nd with an opening roster of promising eateries; and the Liquor Store, from the same folks as City & State, which opened in November.

One of the bigger food stories was related to the opening of the Crosstown Concourse building. Mama Gaia was the first out of the gate in early spring. They were followed by French Truck Coffee, Farm Burger, Next Door Eatery, MemPops, So Nuts, Curb Market, and I Love Juice Bar. I frequent the place and pay — gasp! — $11 for a small smoothie from the Juice Bar at least once a week.

Closing down and moving on: The first location of LYFE Kitchen in East Memphis closed in the fall. The second, in the Chisca downtown, closed for a short while and reopened as a reinvented space with a new menu and new decor. Also seeing new life were Brass Door and the Riverfront Grill (now the Front Porch), both forced into shape by Deni and Patrick Reilly of the Majestic Grill. The much-beloved Elwood’s Shack was closed for several months after a fire in December. It reopened in March.

Happy news: The Cosmic Coconut was turned into the City Silo, a vegan-forward space with several great, thoughtful dishes. The oldie but goodie Front Street Deli changed owners and reopened with a John Grisham-themed menu.

Elwood Shack

Sunrise

More milestones: Beauty Shop marked its 15th year with beehives and 1997 prices. Jim’s Grill, the longtime place for graduate lunches and Mother’s Day brunches, closed for good after an attempt at a revival by Alex Grisanti. Other Memphis favorites, the Peanut Shoppe on Summer closed earlier this month after 58 years and Spaghetti Warehouse closed after 30 years in downtown.

A few things found life beyond the confines of this column. Let’s start with Meddlesome and its cheekily named 201 Hoplar IPA, which a lot of folks found problematic, while the vast majority really loved the name-play. (Also, the IPA is really good.) Another hit was the video by Michael Donahue of the “Pie Lady” Katherine Perry. Perry made her caramel pie and a few others and found an enrapt audience. That video had more than one million (!) views. David Scott of Dave’s Bagels is, how do we put it???, super-hot. And folks like his freshly made, truly excellent bagels, too. You can find them pretty much everywhere.

After pouring millions into the old 19th Century Club building to open the restaurant Izakaya, the owners quickly reconsidered the rather unfocused approach, reopening as the chiefly Japanese and quite good Red Fish. The popular food truck Sushi Jimmi found new life in a brick and mortar space on Poplar. The same goes for Riko’s Kickin’ Chicken, which opened on Madison near Cleveland. Lucky Cat gathered quite a following for its pop-ups before settling on a space at the corner of Cooper and Peabody.

Nobody knows trouble like Taylor Berger. His grand vision for shipping crates serving as a venue was almost quashed as the some of the campus of Railgarten did not have proper inspection. It was all eventually worked out, and now the place serves as a happy meeting ground for young folks looking for fun.