speaking of Summer Ave. Icons gone, one less mentioned is the Market Basket.

JMSTiger Wrote:

BinghamptonNed Wrote:

MemTGRS Wrote:

JMSTiger Wrote:

oldtiger Wrote:During lunch time one day last week I tried to have my car washed at the Mr. Pride on Summer Ave. - - - It's now closed also, another casualty. That closing took place in the last couple of months because I just used that place fairly recently.

That's another one. I didn't even realize that and I go by that Mr. Pride on my way to Aldi's.

I didn't know Mr. Pride was gone and didn't know that Red Lobster had closed. Please tell me that the Peanut Shoppe/Baskin Robbins remains.

Mentioning those two made me remember another icon across the road -- The Mark Twain Cafeteria. Hopefully the ultimate 2-for-1 coupon stop, the Nagasaki Inn, remains to get some greasy Hibachi food.

I think Summer is an ugly street full of mismatched buildings.


I go to several stores and restaurants on Summer Ave because I like them and they are close to my house. Including the aforementioned baskin robbins and peanut shop.

I had not been to imperial lanes in 20 years and am glad to see the admiral benbow inn gone ( I guess I just had no "need to conduct business" there)

I think the addition of Loes,Walgreens, etc have been vast improvements over the "landmarks" that they replaced.... but that is just my opinion.(i understand that some of you think the new buildings are " sanitary" and "not unique")


IF I was sad about the vanishing "landmarks" I would be damn sure to go there and spend my $$$ on a regular basis and would encourage others to do so also.

No doubt that much of Summer Ave is ugly and a disaster in land use. But part of Summer's charm is the fact that it is ugly and is one big clusterf. I agree that the new Lowe's is nice. So is the Aldi's. But it is sad to see local establishments going down the crapper to be replaced by more national chains. I guess you could say Summer is moving from a Memphis spawled look of years ago to an updated generic spawled look that will be no different looking than a similar city street in Columbus, Birmingham or Kansas City. One big chain.

You're right JMS. The charm of Summer was/is its disjointed and ugly appearance. It's definitely Memphis but as you note, it is now going to look like every place else.

dexterreed Wrote:

JMSTiger Wrote:

BinghamptonNed Wrote:

MemTGRS Wrote:

JMSTiger Wrote:

oldtiger Wrote:During lunch time one day last week I tried to have my car washed at the Mr. Pride on Summer Ave. - - - It's now closed also, another casualty. That closing took place in the last couple of months because I just used that place fairly recently.

That's another one. I didn't even realize that and I go by that Mr. Pride on my way to Aldi's.

I didn't know Mr. Pride was gone and didn't know that Red Lobster had closed. Please tell me that the Peanut Shoppe/Baskin Robbins remains.

Mentioning those two made me remember another icon across the road -- The Mark Twain Cafeteria. Hopefully the ultimate 2-for-1 coupon stop, the Nagasaki Inn, remains to get some greasy Hibachi food.

I think Summer is an ugly street full of mismatched buildings.


I go to several stores and restaurants on Summer Ave because I like them and they are close to my house. Including the aforementioned baskin robbins and peanut shop.

I had not been to imperial lanes in 20 years and am glad to see the admiral benbow inn gone ( I guess I just had no "need to conduct business" there)

I think the addition of Loes,Walgreens, etc have been vast improvements over the "landmarks" that they replaced.... but that is just my opinion.(i understand that some of you think the new buildings are " sanitary" and "not unique")


IF I was sad about the vanishing "landmarks" I would be damn sure to go there and spend my $$$ on a regular basis and would encourage others to do so also.

No doubt that much of Summer Ave is ugly and a disaster in land use. But part of Summer's charm is the fact that it is ugly and is one big clusterf. I agree that the new Lowe's is nice. So is the Aldi's. But it is sad to see local establishments going down the crapper to be replaced by more national chains. I guess you could say Summer is moving from a Memphis spawled look of years ago to an updated generic spawled look that will be no different looking than a similar city street in Columbus, Birmingham or Kansas City. One big chain.

You're right JMS. The charm of Summer was/is its disjointed and ugly appearance. It's definitely Memphis but as you note, it is now going to look like every place else.

You had to grow up around there to understand. All the NE Memphis hung out on Summer Ave. You had to be there, I guess. But there were just so many places and things to do on Summer, it was almost like a 4 mile long mall. Remember the old Bristol theater?

Shakeys Pizza

BinghamptonNed Wrote:my point is that if I felt as you do I would spend my $$$$ at these "unique" places to keep them going...


Collectively, they are giving people what they want!

Democracy in action!!!

You can't be any more wrong. Democracy is (was) supposed to insure a fair and just system that we could all live under. Not a ugly amalgamated corporate landscape where big business has muscled out every last mom & pop in the country.

But, what you are right about is that most Americans, obviously you included, could care less about small businesses that care about their customer and are run by your neighbors, and more about saving $0.38 on a pair of crappy pants made by 12 year olds in Cambodia.

Market Basket, Big Star, Pop Tunes, Mark Twain, Pappy & Jimmy's, Cloverleaf, Coletta's, Barzizza Brothers, Shakey's, St Clair, Stamm's, Goldsmith's and on and on and on were all owned and operated by Memphians and their profits stayed here and didn't float off to some corporate headquarters somewhere.

I, for one, and I sometimes think I'm all that is left, don't appreciate Lowe's and Walmart and Applebees and McDonald's. I'm glad you do, because you have won. I hated seeing the chains creeping into Beale Street, but maybe we'll get a TGI Fridays to replace Rum Boogie?

I was born and raised in the summer ave area. I moved away from Memphis in 69, two years after I finished at Memphis State. I don't get back to Memphis that often, maybe to tiger sporting events and thats about it.

This summer I drove my granddaughter into the U of M to get her set up. She is a h/s senior this year and wants to attend the University after she graduates h/s.

I took a little time and drove her over to the area I grew up and drove by the high school I attended. I was sorry that I did.
That area looked really rough.

When I was a kid, it was a very nice community. I couldn't think of a better place to grow up.

It was sad and shocking to see how the area had been neglected over the years.

At least Shirley's Overtime Lounge and the Cottage are still in business.

The Dave Avenger Wrote:At least Shirley's Overtime Lounge and the Cottage are still in business.

Well, "kinda" still in business. The Cottege changed hands a year or so ago and it's not the same. Most of the Tiger pictures are gone and you just don't "feel at home" there anymore.

For Pete sakes, Bryant's BBQ doesn't sell BBQ anymore Jimmy Bryant isn't there any more and they are primarily a breakfast place; while the best breakfast in town, Ferguson's is gone, gone, gone.

The next thing you know, someone's going to tell me that Robilio's, Jack's, Fred P Gattis, and Atlantic Mills are out of business. (I had to think awhile before Atlantic Mills came to mind)

I used to visit my big city cousin in Memphis who lived just down the street (Vaughn Road) from Pop Tunes. We'd always go to the store a couple of times when I was in town. I remember one summer when my favorite group, the Beach Boys had the #1 song in the country (I Get Around) and when we walked in to the store they had just put up a display of their new album for which I peeled off about 4 bills of my precious spending money. I guess we played the album about a dozen times before I rode the bus back home. It was 1964 and life was definitely good.

Pancake Shop!!!
Still open and kicking.

oldtiger Wrote:

The Dave Avenger Wrote:At least Shirley's Overtime Lounge and the Cottage are still in business.

Well, "kinda" still in business. The Cottege changed hands a year or so ago and it's not the same. Most of the Tiger pictures are gone and you just don't "feel at home" there anymore.

For Pete sakes, Bryant's BBQ doesn't sell BBQ anymore Jimmy Bryant isn't there any more and they are primarily a breakfast place; while the best breakfast in town, Ferguson's is gone, gone, gone.

The next thing you know, someone's going to tell me that Robilio's, Jack's, Fred P Gattis, and Atlantic Mills are out of business. (I had to think awhile before Atlantic Mills came to mind)

Damn. I'm not going to remember the place next time I visit. I love what's happened with downtown. I hate what's happened with Cordova. I'll probably cry when I drive through midtown.

cmt Wrote:

BinghamptonNed Wrote:my point is that if I felt as you do I would spend my $$$$ at these "unique" places to keep them going...


Collectively, they are giving people what they want!

Democracy in action!!!

You can't be any more wrong. Democracy is (was) supposed to insure a fair and just system that we could all live under. Not a ugly amalgamated corporate landscape where big business has muscled out every last mom & pop in the country.

But, what you are right about is that most Americans, obviously you included, could care less about small businesses that care about their customer and are run by your neighbors, and more about saving $0.38 on a pair of crappy pants made by 12 year olds in Cambodia.

Market Basket, Big Star, Pop Tunes, Mark Twain, Pappy & Jimmy's, Cloverleaf, Coletta's, Barzizza Brothers, Shakey's, St Clair, Stamm's, Goldsmith's and on and on and on were all owned and operated by Memphians and their profits stayed here and didn't float off to some corporate headquarters somewhere.

I, for one, and I sometimes think I'm all that is left, don't appreciate Lowe's and Walmart and Applebees and McDonald's. I'm glad you do, because you have won. I hated seeing the chains creeping into Beale Street, but maybe we'll get a TGI Fridays to replace Rum Boogie?

You're not the last one left, cmt. I am with you on this.

JMSTiger Wrote:

cmt Wrote:

BinghamptonNed Wrote:my point is that if I felt as you do I would spend my $$$$ at these "unique" places to keep them going...


Collectively, they are giving people what they want!

Democracy in action!!!

You can't be any more wrong. Democracy is (was) supposed to insure a fair and just system that we could all live under. Not a ugly amalgamated corporate landscape where big business has muscled out every last mom & pop in the country.

But, what you are right about is that most Americans, obviously you included, could care less about small businesses that care about their customer and are run by your neighbors, and more about saving $0.38 on a pair of crappy pants made by 12 year olds in Cambodia.

Market Basket, Big Star, Pop Tunes, Mark Twain, Pappy & Jimmy's, Cloverleaf, Coletta's, Barzizza Brothers, Shakey's, St Clair, Stamm's, Goldsmith's and on and on and on were all owned and operated by Memphians and their profits stayed here and didn't float off to some corporate headquarters somewhere.

I, for one, and I sometimes think I'm all that is left, don't appreciate Lowe's and Walmart and Applebees and McDonald's. I'm glad you do, because you have won. I hated seeing the chains creeping into Beale Street, but maybe we'll get a TGI Fridays to replace Rum Boogie?

You're not the last one left, cmt. I am with you on this.

Agree, a string of O'Charley's, Chili's, Applebees, Home Depot, Best Buy, etc.......you could be in St. Paul, San Jose, or Memphis. A string of Buntyn's, Fairview, Pappy and Jimmy's, etc identified Memphis.

oldtiger Wrote:Well, "kinda" still in business. The Cottege changed hands a year or so ago and it's not the same. Most of the Tiger pictures are gone and you just don't "feel at home" there anymore.

For Pete sakes, Bryant's BBQ doesn't sell BBQ anymore Jimmy Bryant isn't there any more and they are primarily a breakfast place; while the best breakfast in town, Ferguson's is gone, gone, gone.

The next thing you know, someone's going to tell me that Robilio's, Jack's, Fred P Gattis, and Atlantic Mills are out of business. (I had to think awhile before Atlantic Mills came to mind)

Wow, I can't believe Tony sold the Cottage. Remember Mr Ray's at the other end of Summer? Gridleys, Zanelli's Bakery and the original Holiday Inn have all come and gone as well.

JMSTiger Wrote:

cmt Wrote:

BinghamptonNed Wrote:my point is that if I felt as you do I would spend my $$$$ at these "unique" places to keep them going...


Collectively, they are giving people what they want!

Democracy in action!!!

You can't be any more wrong. Democracy is (was) supposed to insure a fair and just system that we could all live under. Not a ugly amalgamated corporate landscape where big business has muscled out every last mom & pop in the country.

But, what you are right about is that most Americans, obviously you included, could care less about small businesses that care about their customer and are run by your neighbors, and more about saving $0.38 on a pair of crappy pants made by 12 year olds in Cambodia.

Market Basket, Big Star, Pop Tunes, Mark Twain, Pappy & Jimmy's, Cloverleaf, Coletta's, Barzizza Brothers, Shakey's, St Clair, Stamm's, Goldsmith's and on and on and on were all owned and operated by Memphians and their profits stayed here and didn't float off to some corporate headquarters somewhere.

I, for one, and I sometimes think I'm all that is left, don't appreciate Lowe's and Walmart and Applebees and McDonald's. I'm glad you do, because you have won. I hated seeing the chains creeping into Beale Street, but maybe we'll get a TGI Fridays to replace Rum Boogie?

You're not the last one left, cmt. I am with you on this.

Did Rum Boogie close? (I've been out of the city for a while).

It wasn't on Summer, but Fred Gangs was always a good place to eat. Well, almost always. If anyone ate there the last few months they were open you would understand why they closed. Horrible service.

the old alamo motor courts! (worked there as a night clerk when i was in undergrad at msu 1973)
the begining of the end was when the original holiday inn closed down. there were still a lot of the 40's and 50's buildings then. most have been wiped out now. i loved driving down summer when it was a monument to the post wwII boom. now the only place left like that is in albuquerque new mexico. route 66 goes right through the heart of town, and all of the buildings have been declared landmarks. it is stunning. great local shops and restaurants and bars. it's a bit longer than summer from 240 to eastparkway, but much denser.
i have no idea why memphis keeps trying to look like everywhere else in america. i suppose all the civic pride moved out to collierville, the heartland of anywhere usa.

bman Wrote:

JMSTiger Wrote:

cmt Wrote:

BinghamptonNed Wrote:my point is that if I felt as you do I would spend my $$$$ at these "unique" places to keep them going...


Collectively, they are giving people what they want!

Democracy in action!!!

You can't be any more wrong. Democracy is (was) supposed to insure a fair and just system that we could all live under. Not a ugly amalgamated corporate landscape where big business has muscled out every last mom & pop in the country.

But, what you are right about is that most Americans, obviously you included, could care less about small businesses that care about their customer and are run by your neighbors, and more about saving $0.38 on a pair of crappy pants made by 12 year olds in Cambodia.

Market Basket, Big Star, Pop Tunes, Mark Twain, Pappy & Jimmy's, Cloverleaf, Coletta's, Barzizza Brothers, Shakey's, St Clair, Stamm's, Goldsmith's and on and on and on were all owned and operated by Memphians and their profits stayed here and didn't float off to some corporate headquarters somewhere.

I, for one, and I sometimes think I'm all that is left, don't appreciate Lowe's and Walmart and Applebees and McDonald's. I'm glad you do, because you have won. I hated seeing the chains creeping into Beale Street, but maybe we'll get a TGI Fridays to replace Rum Boogie?

You're not the last one left, cmt. I am with you on this.

Did Rum Boogie close? (I've been out of the city for a while).

Has Rum Boogie died? It was one of the very few places on Beale with a bit of home grown feel. I refuse to go into the franchise places.

tigertommy Wrote:

bman Wrote:

JMSTiger Wrote:

cmt Wrote:

BinghamptonNed Wrote:my point is that if I felt as you do I would spend my $$$$ at these "unique" places to keep them going...


Collectively, they are giving people what they want!

Democracy in action!!!

You can't be any more wrong. Democracy is (was) supposed to insure a fair and just system that we could all live under. Not a ugly amalgamated corporate landscape where big business has muscled out every last mom & pop in the country.

But, what you are right about is that most Americans, obviously you included, could care less about small businesses that care about their customer and are run by your neighbors, and more about saving $0.38 on a pair of crappy pants made by 12 year olds in Cambodia.

Market Basket, Big Star, Pop Tunes, Mark Twain, Pappy & Jimmy's, Cloverleaf, Coletta's, Barzizza Brothers, Shakey's, St Clair, Stamm's, Goldsmith's and on and on and on were all owned and operated by Memphians and their profits stayed here and didn't float off to some corporate headquarters somewhere.

I, for one, and I sometimes think I'm all that is left, don't appreciate Lowe's and Walmart and Applebees and McDonald's. I'm glad you do, because you have won. I hated seeing the chains creeping into Beale Street, but maybe we'll get a TGI Fridays to replace Rum Boogie?

You're not the last one left, cmt. I am with you on this.

Did Rum Boogie close? (I've been out of the city for a while).

Has Rum Boogie died? It was one of the very few places on Beale with a bit of home grown feel. I refuse to go into the franchise places.

I doubt it. I think he was just saying how stupid it would be to replace it with a chain. Their website is up and running strong.

http://www.rumboogie.com/home.htm