MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Several sources told WREG the Beale Street Merchants Association is planning to charge people to walk down the iconic street.
“We just trying to enjoy ourselves before we go back home,” one patron said.
Sources close to Beale Street business owners said the group decided on Thursday to begin charging entry fees on weekends when large crowds are expected.
Customers would pay $10 to get onto the street and receive a $7 pass to use at bars and clubs, according to one employee.
The news came just one day after a massive stampede on Beale Street.
“You look up, you just talking, and everybody running towards you,” Celeste Palmer, a witness, said.
People took cover as at least two people were injured, police cars were damaged, and a metal gate toppled over.
“You know you got all them people running at one time, and you ain’t got — you ain’t moving fast enough. You know you going to get ran over,” a man visiting from Chicago said.
Police called in extra manpower to handle the crowds — including tactical officers and cops from the OCU.
“They only you know what I’m saying individuals,” the man said. “You know what I’m saying? They ain’t Superman or no spectacular Marvel hero.”
That was the reason sources said Beale Street business owners are doing all that they can to help control the crowd even if it means charging customers to get in.
In the summer of 2014, a $10 fee was charged twice after midnight to pay for extra patrols and reduce crowd sizes.
The Downtown Memphis Commission removed the charge after complaints it was racist and there was a threat of a lawsuit by the Beale Street Development Corporation.
The Downtown Memphis Commission felt the charge did reduce problems on and around Beale Street.
