Frost Bake Shop Heads To Collierville for 2nd Store

An East Memphis bakery is preparing to add a second location in Collierville. Frost Bake Shop co-owner Bill Kloos Jr. says his sweet treat shop has picked out a spot at 1016 W. Poplar Ave. for store number two.

The deal was all but finished at week’s end, and he says the staff has already been informed about the new location, which will be identical to the current Laurelwood store – “Frost 1,” as Kloos calls it – in terms of the items sold.

One thing that will be different is the size – 3,400 square feet in Collierville, versus 2,000 square feet in Laurelwood.

“This was the next spot on our list,” Kloos said. “We wanted to be far enough away from Frost 1. We still plan to do one more store in the area, possibly two.”

Once renovation work is finished, he anticipates a possible July or August opening.

Another new feature of the new store, thanks to the extra space – he said they’ll use the additional room to hold things like possibly cooking classes, with small parties another possibility.

The expansion comes about three years on from the opening of the Laurelwood location in August 2013.

– Andy Meek

Biden to Make Memphis-Area Stop on Wednesday

Vice President Joe Biden will visit the Memphis Regional Intermodal Facility Wednesday, Feb. 17, as part of a three-state trip to mark the seventh anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The facility in Rossville is the second of the three stops over two days for Biden.

He will come to the facility at the Tennessee-Mississippi state line after being at the Port of New Orleans earlier in the day Wednesday. He visits the Union Depot in St. Paul, Minn., on Thursday.

– Bill Dries

Memphis Development Foundation Adds 4 Board Members

The Memphis Development Foundation, the nonprofit organization that operates The Orpheum Theatre and the new Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education, has four new board members.

They are John Bobango, chief manager/partner at Farris Bobango PLC; Doug Browne, president at Peabody Hotels & Resorts; Kevin McEniry, CEO of nexAir; and Brian Sullivan, principal and CEO at Sullivan Branding.

Foundation board members serve two-year terms and are eligible to serve three consecutive terms.

– Andy Meek

Barnes & Noble Hosting ‘Inside Ferguson’ Author

Devin James, author of “Inside Ferguson: A Voice for the Voiceless,” will give a lecture and hold a book signing Thursday, Feb. 25, at 6 p.m. at Barnes & Noble Wolfchase, 2774 N. Germantown Parkway.

James is a Memphis resident and the founder of DJG, formerly known as the Devin James Group. In 2014, the group served as the only minority-owned firm requested by the leadership of St. Louis’ Economic Development agency to work in Ferguson, Mo., to improve relations between Ferguson’s black community and its all-white leadership.

James will give a short presentation from his “Inside Ferguson” study guide, which will be used at public schools, community colleges and universities. He also will sign copies of the book.

The book currently is available for purchase at the Wolfchase Barnes & Noble and online at barnesandnoble.com.

– Don Wade

Strickland to Sign Police Director Search Contract

It will cost the city $30,000 to $40,000 for the national search for a Memphis police director.

That is the estimate from the International Association of Chiefs of Police, which will be conducting the search for the city.

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland is expected to sign the contract for the job search this week.

The national search follows the departure of Toney Armstrong last month to become director of security for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Michael Rallings, a deputy chief under Armstrong, is the interim police director. He also is eligible to apply for the job.

Strickland has estimated the city should have a permanent police director hired by the summer.

– Bill Dries

Tenn. Environmental Council Prepares for ‘50K Tree Day’

The Tennessee Environmental Council is giving away free seedlings as it prepares to plant 50,000 native trees statewide in a single day.

More than 3,600 volunteers from across the state – including in Shelby County – are signed up to participate in 50K Tree Day, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 27.

Tennesseans can still register for trees at tectn.org/50ktreeday, while supplies last. The trees come in groups of five bare-root seedlings – one each of the yellow (tulip) poplar, Shumard oak, redbud, Virginia pine and dogwood.

Registered participants can pick up their trees Feb. 26 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. or Feb. 27 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at designated community pick-up locations. In Shelby County, locations include the Memphis City Beautiful Commission, 664 Adams Ave.; T.O. Fuller State Park, 1500 W. Mitchell Road; and Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, 910 Riddick Road in Millington.

– Kate Simone

Lecture Highlights Women Who Were First in Profession

The American Association of University Women’s Memphis chapter is hosting a lecture featuring speakers who are or were the first women in their workplace positions.

Guest speakers at the “Trailblazers: Women On The Move” program include Dr. Tracy Hall, president of Southwest Tennessee Community College; Dr. Shirley Raines, former president of the University of Memphis; Virzola Law, senior pastor at Lindenwood Christian Church; and Gina Sweat, director of the Memphis Fire Department.

The event, which is open to the public, takes place March 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave.

– Madeline Faber