Memphis Restaurant

[Lindnet]

I just got an email from my "Elvis Sister" in Florida and she forwarded me an Elvis news email she had just received. It said that the Elvis restaurant in Memphis will be reopening in January 2006!! Anybody else heard this news?

It would be great, cuz I'm going there in May. And I was disappointed that it was closed the last time I visited.

[KPM]

I heard it would be re-opening after a 3 year closure, and it would have Lisa Priscilla and other celebrities at he opening.

[Jungleroom76]

I've also heard that the restaurant was re-opening, but that it would not be an EPE-owned business. It would, however, have the blessing of the estate and be an Elvis-themed restaurant. Whether they were keeping the name Elvis Presley's Memphis or not was not mentioned, or if it would simply re-open as it was before the closure or if it would be completely re-done. :hmm:

I am glad to see that it is re-opening in some fashion....I was disappointed to hear it was closing a couple of years ago, as I really enjoyed eating there when I was in Memphis in 2000!

Here's to the success of the new restaurant!! :cheers:

TCB!
Mike

[Tommy]

Why was it closed so long? :hmm:

Hope it does open for everybody to enjoy again.

Tommy :)

[Lindnet]

From what I heard, it was closed because it was losing money. The food was not that great and none of the locals went there. Hopefully it will be more successful this time around. Here's the quote that my friend sent me:

ELVIS PRESLEY'S-MEMPHIS restaurant reportedly will re-open in January 2006 !

The restaurant, a BIG money loser before, was closed some 3 years ago.

A third party will manage the restaurant this time around. Food in the old EP's-MEM rated from average to horrible, we thought on our few times dining there.

EP's-MEM was to have been the first in a chain of similar restaurants around the world, but it was the only one ever to open its doors.

Perhaps new EPE owner Robert FX Sillerman has the wherewithal to make it fly this time.

AT THE SAME TIME, London's Sid Shaw long ago unveiled plans to open a string of worldwide plush EP-themed restaurants. Sid keeps telling one and all financing is "just around the corner."

Sid, as you may remember, won out in a 19-year legal battle with EPE and UK courts ruled no one could hold trademarks for a dead person; thus, Sid has been allowed to operate sort of freely outside the USA.

[EP4MEUK]

THIS IS GREAT NEWS I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED WHEN I HAD HEARD IT HAD CLOSED AND I HAD NEVER BEEN THERE NOW I HAVE A SECOND CHANCE .....


LOVE AND PEACE,
SUSAN.

http://www.geocities.com/enriqueschic2001/jiggypussy.jpg

[Wendy56]

Well, great news! But, is that re-opening because of Elvis' birthday? :hmm:

[Jungleroom76]

Well, it took some time but finally we have received the OFFICIAL news regarding Elvis Presley's Memphis from EPE:

On numerous Elvis fan sites and messageboards today, information, much of it incorrect, was posted regarding the status of Elvis Presley Enterprises? (EPE?s) efforts to find a new tenant for the building that formerly housed its Elvis Presley?s Memphis restaurant on Beale Street. Here is the straight story with some background for those who might not be aware of the history:

The building is the former home of the historic Lansky Brothers? men?s clothing store, which Elvis frequented. EPE leased the property from the Lanskys, remodeled it, and operated Elvis Presley?s Memphis restaurant there from 1997 to 2003. Although the restaurant closed, EPE?s long-term elease with the Lanskys remains in effect.

Since 2003, EPE has been pursuing a sub-lease arrangement by communicating with various highly regarded restauranteurs who might be interested in opening a new restaurant and live entertainment venue there. EPE has kept open the possibility of also forming a partnership/licensee relationship with a new tenant and being involved to some degree with the new venture. EPE is very optimistic that a new tenant will be confirmed soon. The name of the new restaurant, any changes in the interior/exterior design of the facility, and whether the new venture will maintain some thematic tie to the Elvis legacy all remain to be determined as discussions with a potential new tenant continue.

If all goes as hoped, a new restaurant could be open by late Spring 2006. EPE looks forward to sharing further information when a new tenant is confirmed and details are finalized.

Fan site and messageboard reports of plans for an opening celebration are pure fabrication or speculation by those making such posts. Actually, how the opening of a new venture might be celebrated has not even been discussed yet.

So there we have it!! As usual, we get a whole bunch of "could be's"...but at least it sounds like EPE is trying to work something out to find a use for the former restaurant building! Now if only EPE doesn't disappoint the fans by making the costs so outrageous that there won't be a tenant that wants to invest that kind of money into the building!! (n)

As they say, we'll just have to stay tuned... ;)

TCB!
Mike

[Wendy56]

I was already makin' plans... :(

[Lindnet]

Thanks, Mike, for the "official" word! I'm still hoping....spring of 2006 will work for me! And hopefully, it will be successful and we can all meet up there for Elvis week in 2007!! :clap:

[EP4MEUK]

YES THANKS FOR LETTING US KNOW I TOO WAS MAKING PLANS :respect: :blush: :wallbash:

[Jungleroom76]

NO PROBLEM LINDNET AND SUSAN!!! (y)

Yes, let's hope that if someone does move in to the building and re-open the restaurant that it is more successful this time around! I ate there 3 times when I was in Memphis in 2000 (dinner once, lunch once, and a special Sunday brunch they had with The Imperials providing gospel music) and each time, the food was very good and the staff were very friendly...I really enjoyed eating there and just hanging out!! :)

Here's hoping for a successful re-opening! :cheers:

TCB!
Mike