Closures raise question: Is Beale Street OK?

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Along historic Beale Street, you can hear the blues known around the world emanating from nightclubs, but some tourists want to know if a few club closings mean the street is feeling the blues.

Just last week it was announced that Jerry Lee Lewis’ Cafe and Honky Tonk had been sold, and closed its doors.

Jerry Lee Lewis Club on Beale Street sold, closed

On the other side of the entertainment district, the owners of the Club 152 building on Beale are also looking for a new tenant.

Kevin Kane, Memphis Tourism’s President & CEO, and an owner of Club 152, says this is a sign of the times, not just on Beale.

“Yes, I think Beale Street numbers are down north of 20%, as are many, many food and beverage outlets in Memphis and Shelby County,” said Kane.

Beale Street remains a major tourist attraction for Memphis, luring more than 5.2 million visitors in 2023. But, the historic street has seen some changes.

Last year, The Hard Rock Cafe on Beale closed its doors, and after a feud with the Memphis River Parks Partnership, the nearby Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival was canceled this year and the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest moved to Liberty Park.

As for possible reasons impacting visitors coming downtown, Beale has also seen its share of crime. But Kane says any reports of the demise of Beale Street are exaggerated.

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“As far as these real estate changes and businesses looking to sale is not any indication that Beale Street is on the downside or things are down the drain,” he said.

As for the sale of Jerry Lee Lewis’ bar, the late entertainer’s wife, Judith Lewis, says he had been at odds with the owners before his death.

“Jerry told them he wanted no part of it because it was not playing his music, and it was not what he thought it should be,” she said.

Kane says these business deals had been in the works for some time.

“Jerry Lee’s has been on the market for a few years. If you remember, Hard Rock was talking about putting a Hard Rock Hotel down there. There were negotiations for that, and that deal fell through,” said Kane.

Karen Johnson, a tourist from Australia, says for tourists like herself, Beale Street and its blues are still alive and well.

“It’s the icing on my cake. I just love it. It’s so rich in history,” she said. “I hope a good investor comes along to buy the building and rejuvenate things and bring more life and more tourism.”

The former Hard Rock Cafe on Beale Street was sold for $5 million earlier this year. It will be renovated to become the new home of the Memphis Rock ‘n Soul Museum.

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