MEMPHIS, Tenn — Another Memphis business has abruptly closed its doors.
The Blind Bear speakeasy on South Main Street is shutdown for good.
On Sunday, Blind Bear was promoting events on Facebook. By Wednesday, the doors were locked with a sign on the window saying “Blind Bear is closed permanently.”
“I have noticed a change within the last few years since the pandemic,” said Memphis resident Shana Davis. “There have been places that have had a hard time trying to find workers, so they are struggling to stay open.”
Davis, a life-long Memphian, also feels like fewer people are coming downtown.
“Definitely within the last year (the foot) traffic has not been there,” she said.
On July 31st, 310 Beale, better known as Jerry Lee Lewis’ Café and Honky Tonk, also shutdown, with ownership subleasing the building to a new business
“A lot shutting down but I’m sure there’s going to be more potential growth and businesses that come through here,” said new Memphis resident D.K. Allen.
Jerred Price, president of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, said that despite these two downtown closings, he doesn’t see this as a broader trend, saying these are different situations.
“(310 Beale owners) were able to (sublease) their building. A new tenant’s already on the way in,” Price said. "This particular situation (at Blind Bear), from what we’ve heard, might not have been so positive as to why they had to close.”
Price does say staffing remains a concern.
“The service industry was already hurting for people throughout Memphis, he said. “So a lot of restaurants are short-staffed, a lot of hotels and that kind of thing.”
Price believes the recent closings are a reminder of the need to support local businesses.
“Spend money, go out,” he said. “That’s how we keep these businesses alive.”
ABC24 reached out to Blind Bear ownership for comment but has not received a response.