MEMPHIS, Tenn. — “A Booming City,” that’s what USA Today called Memphis in an article released today that also talked about Bass Pro, the Blues Museum and other attractions.
While the article put the Bluff City in the national spotlight, visitors will soon have another place to stay.
WREG was told there are plans to build a hotel across the street from Bass Pro in a spot that’s been vacant for years.
The sign at the corner of Front and Overton, right across the street from Bass Pro, promises a hotel, restaurant and shopping soon.
“It’s fantastic,” said Jonathan Lyons with the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Lyons said he’s not just excited about Memphis being featured in USA Today but also about the growth he’s seeing.
“We do see the Pinch District next. You’re going to see more development projects; things that will appeal to visitors and locals,” he explained.
Soon there will be a place for them to stay.
It’s empty now, but the Front Street Group has plans for a 108-room, extended stay hotel in what’s currently a parking lot.
It would be four stories, 72,000 square feet with parking and shopping.
While Bass Pro was a part of the decision to build in the location, a representative for the landowners said the expansion of St. Jude, and the promise of other land owners investing in the Pinch were also a big part of their decision.
“The more people the better it is. We wish they’d build a hotel on every corner of downtown,” said Linda Thomas the owner of Redfish Boutique.
She said she was looking forward to the added business from the hotel.
Already with the addition of Bass Pro she’s had to change her store hours.
She’s now open on Sundays.
“Sunday is so much busier down here,” she explained.
Thomas said she only expects things to get better.
“The building next door has sold to some friends of ours and they’re going to put in an art gallery. Things are just moving forward at a rapid pace,” she said with a smile.
No word yet when construction will start on the hotel.
It’s also unknown when the city will begin construction on the pedestrian bridge linking Bass Pro to the Pinch District.
People in the pinch said it’s needed to keep people safe on busy weekends.