Old Dominick Distillery Moving Forward

D. Canale & Co. is moving forward with plans to build a $5 million distillery on Front Street Downtown.

Operating as Dominick Properties LLC, the Memphis-based company has applied for a nearly $4.6 million building permit through the city-county Office of Construction Code Enforcement to build Old Dominick, a spirits distillery and public tasting room at 301 S. Front St.

The name is a nod to Dominick Canale, who founded D. Canale & Co. in 1866 after emigrating from Genoa, Italy. The company bottled its own portfolio of fine whiskies, a practice that ended with Prohibition.

After Prohibition, Anheuser-Busch began seeking out food distributors with refrigerated storage so their suds would remain cold, and D. Canale built the company into a longtime Memphis food and beverage wholesaler.

D. Canale is seeking to tap into the growing demand for premium spirits. Company officials have said the family’s decades of experience in distribution, sales and marketing within the food and beverage industry, combined with an authentic, up-from-the-bootstraps family and business story, will help propel the business forward.

Crews from Archer Custom Builders have been busy working on the roughly 100-year-old former Memphis Machinery and Supply Co. building. Old Dominick is expected to produce several whiskies, including a bourbon, multiple vodka lines and whiskey-based liqueurs.

– Amos Maki

LeMoyne-Owen Taps New President

Andrea Miller is the new president of LeMoyne-Owen College and will be the first woman to lead the Memphis institution.

Miller starts her duties Sept. 1 and succeeds Johnnie Watson as the 12th president of the 153-year-old historically black college.

The 1976 LeMoyne-Owen alumna has been chancellor of Baton Rouge Community College since 2012.

Robert Lipscomb, chairman of the college’s trustees, announced the choice Thursday, June 11.

Lipscomb acknowledged vigorous debate among the trustees and several rounds of voting. He said the final vote was unanimous and that he and others sought a unanimous vote for Watson’s successor.

The vote was a choice between Miller and Rhodes College vice president Russ Wigginton, the other finalist in the national search.

Watson was the first alumnus to serve as president of the college. He was named the college’s 11th president in 2008 after taking the job two years earlier on an interim basis. The school was forced to right itself financially following “no confidence” votes by the faculty aimed at school’s previous leadership.

The institution marked its 150th anniversary in 2012 and by then had doubled its size from the 2006 low of 500 students. The school opened a new $13.5 million residence hall in 2013 with room for 336 students to live on campus.

Watson also oversaw the college’s move to business programs for students 25 and older looking to complete their degree after initially leaving higher education pursuits. LeMoyne-Owen has retained its primary role as an educator of teachers.

– Bill Dries

Hillwood Pays $17.7M for FedEx SupplyChain Facility

Hillwood Investment Properties, a Dallas-based commercial real estate investment company based, has purchased the Summit Distribution Center Building II, according to a special warranty deed filed June 4.

The two parcels located at 5050 East Holmes Road and 0 Lamar sold for $17.7 million on June 1.

A mortgage was filed in conjunction with the sale for $11.4 million by Jackson National Life Insurance Co., a Michigan corporation.

FedEx SupplyChain Systems Inc. and Yazaki North America currently lease the 455,000-square-foot warehouse.

FedEx SupplyChain was awarded a five-year tax break in October 2014 that will enable the company to add 87 new jobs and invest $6.8 million at the Holmes Road location.

Hillwood also owns six warehouses in the Southpark Distribution Center, which it purchased in July 2012 for $37 million.

The Shelby County Assessor of Property has the warehouse appraised at $12.7 million.

– Chandler Reports & The Daily News Online

OneJet Landing At Memphis International Airport

A startup airline catering to business travelers will begin offering service from Memphis to Indianapolis.

OneJet will offer nonstop service from Memphis International Airport to Indianapolis Mondays through Thursdays starting June 22. Launched about two years ago, OneJet offers regional business service to cities like Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee.

“The Memphis business community has strong links with, and significant travel demand to, other cities currently in our network,” said Matthew Maguire, chief executive of Boston-based OneJet, in a statement. “Our decision to add Memphis reflects not only the particularly meaningful level of Fortune 100 demand in these markets but also the long-term opportunity to create broader benefit for customers across our network.”

Flights will be available for purchase beginning Thursday, June 11, through all major corporate and online travel agencies. Penstar Aviation Charter Inc., OneJet’s regional partner, will operate the seven-seat flights on a twin-engine Beechcraft Hawker 400 jet.

Flights will depart Indianapolis at 8:30 a.m. and arrive in Memphis at 8:50 a.m. Return service will depart Memphis at 3:15 p.m. and arrive in Indianapolis at 5:25 p.m.

– Amos Maki

Retailer H&M to Join Tanger Outlets Lineup

H&M, Hennes & Mauritz AB, has signed a lease for 26,000 square feet at the Tanger Outlets development in Southaven.

The apparel retailer expects to open at Tanger Outlets Memphis in spring 2016. Its Mississippi presence will include a store-within-a-store section for accessories and sports apparel. The store also will feature H&M’s collection for children from newborns to 14-year-olds.

H&M is scheduled to open its first Memphis-area store, at the Carriage Crossing lifestyle center in Collierville, this fall. The Southaven store will be its second in Mississippi.

The global retailer, known for high fashion at low prices, did not say how many workers it intended to employ in the new location. It typically hires 30 to 50 people per store.

Tanger Memphis is scheduled to open Nov. 19 and will include Michael Kors, Banana Republic Factory and J. Crew Factory, among other tenants, in the 310,000 square foot mall at Interstate 55 and Church Road.

– Bill Dries

Celtic Crossing Briefly Closing For Renovations

Celtic Crossing Irish Pub and Restaurant in Cooper-Young will close for one week to renovate the interior and reopen as a smoke-free establishment.

The restaurant will close its doors June 22 to undergo the renovations, which will include an updated interior with new custom-made Irish furniture and new wall decor. Doors will reopen June 26 at 4 p.m. to kick off Celtic Crossing’s 10th anniversary weekend.

The anniversary weekend will include a concert featuring Star & Micey at June 26 at 8 p.m., followed by DJ Tree at 10 p.m. The celebration will continue throughout the weekend with food and drink specials, giveaways, live music and more.

– Andy Meek

Jobs Event Set for CoWork Memphis Next Week

Nita Black, founder of the jobs-focused nonprofit Jobs Hatchery, will share advice and tips for small business founders during a presentation next week at CoWork Memphis, 902 S. Cooper.

The Jobs Hatchery Meetup – an event that happens once a month thanks to the organization the mission of which is to change lives by connecting people with jobs and creating jobs – will be held June 19 at 11:30 a.m. Black, who merged her consulting firm MAP Momentum with Hylander CPA Firm in January, will present tips for startups to help them get over the starting hurdle by making a quick decision or backing away.

The Jobs Hatchery nonprofit also sends out weekly e-blasts to inspire entrepreneurs in addition to giving them access to a small loan fund.

– Andy Meek

FedEx Tops for Brand Value in Tennessee

FedEx Corp. is the nation’s 39th most valuable brand and the highest in Tennessee, according to new data from Brand Finance.

The Memphis-based delivery giant’s brand value is worth $13.7 billion in 2015, an increase from $13.5 billion in 2014.

London-based Brand Value is a brand valuation and strategy consultancy. It annually releases the US 500, which ranks the nation’s most valuable brands.

AutoZone Inc. and International Paper Co. also made the list at Nos. 158 and 209 respectively. AutoZone’s brand is worth $3.6 billion while International Paper’s is worth $2.8 billion, according to Brand Finance’s report.

In total, Tennessee had seven brands included on the US 500. Other Tennessee brands on the list are Dollar General at No. 140; Jack Daniels at No. 307; Tractor Supply at No. 319; and Hospital Corporation of America at No. 451.

– Daily News staff

Beale Authority Wants to Talk New Ownership Deal

The newly appointed Beale Street Tourism Development Authority wants to talk to Memphis City Council members about a new arrangement for how it would govern the Beale Street Entertainment District for the city.

The Beale authority’s members voted unanimously Thursday, June 4, to seek the talks with the City Council about a fee simple arrangement similar to how the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority runs Memphis International Airport and how the Public Building Authority that built FedExForum operates.

In such an arrangement, the city would retain ownership of the property, but the Beale authority would have more autonomy to make the long-term commitments necessary to secure financing for expansions or improvements.

The ordinance approved by the council earlier this year set up a master lease agreement similar to the deal between the city and the nonprofit Beale Street Development Authority. It was a different version than the resolution proposed by Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr.

Under the predecessor agreement that governed the renovation and reopening of Beale Street in 1983, the city leased its property – which includes everything in the district except Handy Park and A. Schwab – to the BSDC, which in turn hired Performa Entertainment to run and develop the district.

The Beale authority’s first significant piece of business is hiring a management firm to carry out the body’s long-term vision. Before any hiring takes place, the authority and City Hall have to reach an agreement on the specific terms of what the authority does for the city of Memphis.

“We should start with what we think is in the best interest of the street and of the city,” authority chairman Archie Willis said.

– Bill Dries

Komen Memphis-MidSouth To Distribute $510K

The Memphis-MidSouth Affiliate of Susan G. Komen is awarding $510,030 of community grants to 10 programs that provide breast cancer services in the Mid-South.

The group presents the awards Tuesday, June 9, at a 5 p.m. reception at AutoZone Park.

Since its inception in 1993, Susan G. Komen Memphis-MidSouth has provided more than $9.4 million to the 21 counties it serves in the Mid-South. Komen Memphis-MidSouth works with local health care professionals and community leaders to conduct a comprehensive community needs assessment.

Of the funds raised by the affiliate, 75 percent stay in the Mid-South. The remaining 25 percent go toward global breast cancer research.

The 2015 community grantees are listed below.

• Alliance Charitable Foundation, through the Alliance Healthcare System, received $15,000 to provide breast exams and mammograms in Marshall and Benton counties in Mississippi.

• Baptist Medical Group received $20,000 to provide breast exams, ultrasounds, biopsies and treatment as needed to underserved women.

• Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women received $130,000 to provide screening mammograms, diagnostic mammograms and ultrasounds to underserved women on a digitally equipped mobile unit.

• Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto received $60,030 to provide screening mammograms, diagnostic mammograms and ultrasounds to underserved women.

• Church Health Center received $30,000 to provide medical screenings in its clinic.

• Julie B. Baier Foundation Inc., through the Mroz Baier Breast Care Clinic PC, received $90,000 to serve the diagnostic needs of uninsured patients in need of breast care services.

• New Bethel M.B. Church, through STAARS (Surviving, Thriving, African-Americans Rallying Support), received $7,500 to provide breast health education sessions, screening mammograms for those who are financially eligible and monthly breast cancer support group meetings.

• Methodist Healthcare Foundation received $50,000 to provide outreach and education to women, as well as access to breast health services, including screening mammography, diagnostic mammography, ultrasounds and treatment.

• Regional One Health received $100,000 to provide screenings, mammograms, follow-up care and early detection educational sessions.

• Urban Health Education and Support Services received $7,500 to provide culturally competent education, support and awareness services to primarily African-American and underserved women who are newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, survivors and/or have relapsed.

– Don Wade

Whitehaven Motel Sells for $1.5 Million

Springbrook Hospitality LLC, a Tennessee limited liability company, purchased the America’s Best Value Inn & Suites located at 1360 Springbrook Avenue on June 2.

The 152-unit motel, located at the corner of Springbrook and Sandbrook in the Brookway Industrial Park in Whitehaven, sold for $1.5 million.

Jags Hospitality Ltd. L.P. had owned the motel since 1997 when it purchased the property for $1 million.

A loan by BBCN Bank of Los Angeles, California for $1.2 million was filed with the sale on June 4.

The Shelby County Assessor of Property lists the property with an appraisal value of $628,000.

– Chandler Reports & The Daily News Online

Cycling Event Raises $35,000 for Wolf River Conservancy

The Wolf River Conservancy’s annual “Cycle the Greenway” event raised more than $35,000 Saturday, June 6.

More than 120 cyclists and six teams participated in the ride. Buckman Cares, the Buckman Laboratories team, led the way in terms of fundraising.

The event is a joint effort since 2010 by the conservancy and the Memphis Hightailers Bicycle Club.

– Bill Dries

Local Restaurants ‘Certified’ for Healthful Approach

Through a partnership between the Tennessee Department of Health and the United States Healthful Food Council, Eat REAL Tennessee has announced the first REAL-certified establishments in Memphis.

Responsible Epicurean and Agricultural Leadership is a growing national program that helps combat diet-related disease by recognizing food service operators committed to holistic nutrition and environmental stewardship.

Memphis’ inaugural class of REAL-certified food service establishments can be found throughout the city and include: Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, Cafe Eclectic, City Market, The Farmer, Fuel Cafe, Hog & Hominy, Lettuce Eat Salad Co., McEwen’s, Porcellino’s, Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe, Trolley Stop Market, Tsunami and Two Vegan Sistas.

“Memphis is a city rich in local food culture and community, and these eating establishments are helping shift the environment towards a more healthful and sustainable model,” said Eat REAL Tennessee project manager Nikkole Turner.

Eat REAL Tennessee is a statewide initiative supported through a grant from the Tennessee Health Department as part of an innovative approach to preventing diabetes and obesity across the state. The program also serves as a community outreach platform, engaging and educating the public on nutrition and healthy dietary choices. Utilizing the points-based REAL Index, independent registered dietitians conduct an assessment of menu offerings and overall nutrition and sustainability practices.

Establishments are credited with points across a range of criteria such as the use of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy preparation methods, moderate portion sizes, unsweetened beverages, healthy children’s options and sustainable sourcing. Those that satisfy the necessary requirements are awarded and recognized as “REAL Certified.”

– Don Wade

Memphis Magazine Boasts General Excellence Award

Memphis Magazine recently took home top honors from the City and Regional Magazine Association.

It was named the General Excellence winner for its circulation cateogry (under 30,000) during CRMA’s 30th annual convention in Dallas.

Memphis previously won the General Excellence award in 2007, 2008 and 2010; it has been a finalist in the category every year since 2007.

The other 2015 General Excellence winners were Seattle Met (30,000-60,000 circulation) and Boston (more than 60,000 circulation).

“It’s always great to be honored by our journalistic peers in the city-magazine business,” said Kenneth Neill, editor of Memphis. “This award is a superb tribute to a terrific editorial and design staff who produce work of the highest quality, year in and year out.”

Memphis magazine is published by Contemporary Media, the locally owned company that also publishes the Memphis Flyer, Memphis Parent and Inside Memphis Business. The magazine celebrates its fortieth anniversary in 2016.

– Daily News staff

Downtown Commission Searches for New Leader

The Downtown Memphis Commission is stepping up its search for a new president and chief executive to replace the outgoing Paul Morris.

The DMC, the organization charged with advancing Downtown investment and development, has released an “Opportunity Profile” that outlines the scope and leadership requirements for the position.

DHL International, the firm selected by the DMC’s board to lead the search, is seeking a “visionary, high-energy” leader for the Downtown organization. Among other things, the president is responsible for staff management, budget preparation and oversight, and maintaining and fostering relationships with Downtown property owners, businesses, residents, public officials, the media and the general public.

Morris announced earlier this year that he would be stepping down to lead his family business, Jack Morris Auto Glass, after a new candidate is selected.

The Opportunity Profile can be viewed and downloaded at DowntownMemphisCommission.com.

– Amos Maki

New Liquor Store Opens at Carrefour on Poplar

A new, 9,000-square-foot liquor store is opening this week in Germantown.

Doc’s Wine, Spirits & More will host its grand opening Saturday, June 13, at noon. It is located at 6685 Poplar Ave. in the Carrefour at Kirby Woods retail center.

Doc’s owners are taking advantage of new laws that have allowed liquor stores to expand their product offerings. The laws were approved as a tradeoff to permit grocery stores to sell wine starting in July 2016.

In addition to wine and liquor, Doc’s will sell pre-packaged foods from Porcellino’s and chocolates from local chef Phillip Ashley. It will have a 28-tap growler station, and stock a selection of on-site kegs and party supplies. It also will include round-the-clock wine tastings, live music and even a smelling station, where shoppers can smell 88 aromas found in wines.

“Everything from the decor, to the scents, to the sounds is geared towards providing a clean, spacious environment that is nice without being intimidating,” said Doc’s general manager Ryan Gill. “If you want to get in and out quickly, our five registers can take care of that. If you want to listen to music, taste some wines, and learn some new things while you’re at it, then we’ve got that covered too.”

The new store comes on the heels of Buster’s Liquors and Wines sizable expansion. (See related story on pg. 11.)

– Daily News staff

New CEO Tapped for Saint Francis-Bartlett

Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett has a new CEO.

Chris Locke started in the role effective June 1, and as CEO he’ll oversee all strategic, operational and clinical activities for the 196-bed acute care hospital in Bartlett.

The appointment follows Locke serving a stint as the hospital’s interim CEO in 2012. Locke joined Tenet Healthcare, Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett’s parent company, in 2006.

– Andy Meek

Germantown Dental Group Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Germantown Dental Group holds its 40th anniversary celebration next week.

The business – founded in 1975 by Dr. Mickey Bernstein which has grown into a major cosmetic and restorative care practice – will hold its event June 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at 2165 West Street. The party will include food, inflatables and face painting for children, as well as live music and door prizes.

The principal owners of the business today are Dr. John Whittemore and Dr. Todd Gruen, with 13 team members.

Gruen and Whittemore became owners in 2008.

– Andy Meek

Memphis Bridge Club Fundraising for Alzheimer’s

The Memphis Bridge Club will join hundreds of bridge clubs across the country to raise money by playing in a day-long game of bridge and other games, allowing players to honor friends and loved ones affected by Alzheimer’s disease while also keeping their own mental skills sharp.

For the third consecutive year, the American Contract Bridge League, the sanctioning body for the game of bridge, is teaming up with the Alzheimer’s Association to raise money for Alzheimer’s research in one of the group’s signature fundraising events, The Longest Day.

Held on the summer solstice – June 21 – The Longest Day symbolizes the challenging journey of those living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. The local club’s team for the event will support the cause by playing bridge and other games from sunrise to sunset. Team captain Joyce Stone has set a goal to raise $1,600.

With an average age of 69, ACBL’s members, most of whom play regularly at local bridge clubs, are significantly affected by Alzheimer’s disease. The Longest Day is an opportunity for bridge players to join the fight against the disease while receiving the benefits the game offers.

“Studies have shown strong links between cognitive training and social activity – two of bridge’s chief benefits – and improved brain health,” said Robert Hartman, CEO of the Memphis-based ACBL. “The game alone challenges and stimulates mental acuity, but there’s also a strong social aspect that can aid with successful aging.”

– Don Wade

Is a Logo Worth $46,000? Haslam Thinks So

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has defended the state’s decision to spend $46,000 for the design of a new logo that critics say could have been created by an elementary school student.

Haslam said Wednesday that the logo brings continuity to the state’s departments and agencies, which currently use 172 different logos, The Tennessean reports. Haslam said it previously had been costly for the various agencies to occasionally change each of their separate logos.

Still, the state might not enforce the implementation of the logo across the board. Haslam acknowledged at least several unidentified departments are seeking exemptions from having to use the new logo.

The new logo, which features the white letters TN on colors patterned on the state flag, was revealed last month. Officials say they are still a few weeks away from officially unveiling the logo, along with the state’s website redesign.

“This is something a fifth-grader could easily produce on his or her computer at home,” said Chris Butler, with watchdog.org, the conservative news outlet that broke the story.

Nashville-based firm GS&F designed the logo over the course of nine months.

– The Associated Press

BlackGirls CODE Hosts Game Design Workshop

The Memphis Chapter of the BlackGirls CODE organization will host a game design tutorial on June 20 at Christian Brothers University, 650 East Parkway South.

The event will take place in the Nolan Engineering Building and is intended for girls ages 10 to 17.

The workshop will focus on game design and development using Oracle Academy’s Greenfoot Tutorial, and will be taught by the Memphis chapter curriculum lead, Karen Farrell-Shikuku.

Check-in begins at 9:15 a.m. and the event starts at 10 a.m. The cost of the workshop is $35 per child, with limited scholarships available.

– Andy Meek