The Early Word: What’s left of Clayborn; plus, a shoe store steps out
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The Memphis Fire Department has called Clayborn Temple a “total loss” after the two-alarm fire that destroyed much of the historic hub for the 1968 sanitation-worker strike. But Anasa Troutman, the leader of the nonprofit directing the restoration of Clayborn Temple, isn’t using those words. The bell tower and some of the brick walls are still standing, and she believes some of that can be saved as the group rebuilds. Architects were on-site Wednesday assessing what can be salvaged and what can’t.
Jackson’s Shoes, the last shoe store in the area that focuses exclusively on childrens’ shoes, is closing its only store in Collierville next month. Owner Mark Jackson said business is down, and his adult children aren’t interested in carrying on the family tradition. Jackson’s opened in 1966, and, at the time, it exclusively sold Buster Brown shoes. Lifelong customer Ashley Vickery got her shoes there as a kid and has since outfitted her two daughters’ feet there. “I feel like that personalized touch is missing from a lot of other stores,” she said.
Plus, an acquittal is denied in the Nichols trial, an autism program counters RFK’s comments and more shake-ups may be coming to MSCS.
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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.
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