Memphis’ St. Blues Guitar Workshop Receives $57k to Open Storefront

A Downtown development board put a hold on new incentives in the Pinch District of Memphis on Wednesday of this week and granted $57,000 to help St. Blues Guitar Workshop open a retail shop at 645 Marshall.

Center City Commission president and CEO Paul Morris said the board doesn’t want to handle applications for financial incentives in the Pinch until after the city of Memphis moves forward with redevelopment connected to conversion of The Pyramid into a Bass Pro Shops.

St. Blues, a custom guitar manufacturer, was approved for a $40,000 retail forgivable loan and a $17,000 facade improvement grant for a 2,900 square foot retail shop. The loan turns into a grant if the business meets program requirements.

The shop would sell St. Blues-branded apparel, gifts, collectibles and guitars, as well as Memphis music items and music-themed artwork. The owner, Legendary Gear LLC, is aiming to open next spring.
“St. Blues, we hope, is going to be an important anchor for The Edge district,” said company CEO Bryan M. Eagle III.