The Early Word: Jennifer Chandler says bye, and Felicia Suzanne says hi
Are your grocery lists ready, Memphis? It’s Thursday, April 10, and the new Aldi in the Medical District opens today. That’s welcome news for Midtown and Downtown fans of Winking Owl wine.
We’re down to the third to last game of the Memphis Grizzlies’ regular season tonight with a match-up that really matters against the Minnesota Timberwolves. No pressure though.
We’re sad to report that The Daily Memphian’s Jennifer Chandler is stepping away from the table. In her last Table Talk column, Chandler said she’s leaving her food and restaurant writing job with us “to focus on my own health and my family.” And though she calls the moment “bittersweet,” she will admit that it’ll be nice to enjoy a restaurant meal “without an agenda.” J-Chan (as we like to call her) will certainly be missed around here, but she says she’ll be back on the food scene in some form in the future.
Felicia Suzanne’s is finally reopening in its new South Main Arts District location after being closed for three years. The Southern Low Country spot closed on Monroe Avenue in the fall of 2021 for a planned move to the old Spindini restaurant on South Main Street. But restaurant openings can take a while for a number of reasons. Fans of Felicia Suzanne’s signature Oysters of Love (served in a New Orleans-style barbecue sauce) won’t be disappointed, but new dishes that expand beyond Southern fare will be on the menu, too.
Plus, six people were shot at an anti-gun violence meeting, Memphis-Shelby County Schools is losing funds it needs for school repairs and xAI may be breaking the law.
Topics
The Early Word Subscriber OnlyAre you enjoying your subscription?
Your subscription gives you unlimited access to all of The Daily Memphian’s news, written by nearly 40 local journalists and more than 20 regular freelancers. We work around the clock to cover the issues that impact your life and our community.
You can help us reach more Memphians.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we provide free news access at K-12 schools, public libraries and many community organizations. We also reach tens of thousands of people through our podcasts, and through our radio and television partnerships – all completely free to everyone who cares about Memphis.
When you subscribe, you get full access to our news. But when you donate, you help us reach all Memphians.
Pay it forward. Make a fully tax-deductible donation to The Daily Memphian today.
Thank you for reading the local news. Thank you for investing in our community.
Bianca Phillips
Bianca Phillips is a Northeast Arkansas native and longtime Memphian who’s worked in local journalism and PR for more than 20 years. In her days as a reporter, she covered everything from local government and crime to LGBTQ issues and the arts. She’s the author of “Cookin Crunk: Eatin’ Vegan in the Dirty South,” a cookbook of vegan Southern recipes.
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.