Crosstown High Prepares New Space

Crosstown High, a charter school slated to occupy the northeast side of Crosstown Concourse, has filed a $4.1 million building permit application with construction code officials to begin interior build-out at its 1365 Tower Ave. location.

Slated to open next August, Crosstown High tapped Grinder, Taber & Grinder Inc. to handle the construction.

Beginning with a class of 500 freshmen and adding grades in subsequent years, the charter school will offer a unique approach to education in Tennessee.

In addition to classes taught by teams of teachers, students will participate in a 90-minute “project period” that involves partnering with other Crosstown Concourse tenants including Methodist Healthcare, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and several retail businesses for class projects.

– Patrick Lantrip

Redbirds’ Clapp Chosen PCL Manager of the Year

Memphis Redbirds manager Stubby Clapp has been named the Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year as voted by league managers, media representatives and team officials, the league office has announced.

He becomes the first Redbirds’ skipper to earn the honor in the franchise’s 20th season in the PCL.

In his first year as manager, Clapp has led the Redbirds to their best season in franchise history and first division championship since 2014, which was clinched with 21 games to play in the regular season.

During the course of the season, 57 different players have joined the roster and 18 have also played for the St. Louis Cardinals, including 11 on the current big-league roster.

The 2017 Redbirds set the franchise record for wins in a season, eclipsing the 2000 team’s 83 wins with their 84th victory on Aug. 13 at Nashville. It is on pace to become the first PCL team to win their division by 20.0 or more games since 1981.

Clapp and the Redbirds won a franchise-record 11 straight games from April 28 to May 8.

Memphis currently has its best ERA, its best fielding percentage, and its third-best batting average in team history.

Clapp was named the Redbirds’ seventh manager on Nov. 30. His history in Memphis dates back to the early days of the Redbirds, as he played from 1999-2002 and still holds the franchise’s career records for triples (19) and walks (222). He ranks second in runs scored (258) and third in games played (425), doubles (87), extra-base hits (128) and total hits (418).

He was a member of the Redbirds’ first PCL championship team in 2000, when he hit three home runs and drove in 11 runs with a .404 on-base percentage during the playoffs. Clapp also recorded the first hit in AutoZone Park history earlier that season, with a single to center field.

Clapp and the division-champion Redbirds finish the regular season with games against Iowa Wednesday and Thursday at AutoZone Park and four games at Colorado Springs Friday through Monday.

The playoffs begin at AutoZone Park on Wednesday, Sept. 6 and continue Sept. 7.

Playoff tickets can be purchased at www.memphisredbirds.com/playoffs, over the phone at 901-721-6000, and at the AutoZone Park box office.

– Don Wade

Bartlett Retail Portfolio Sells for $2.3 Million

A six-building retail portfolio in Bartlett has switched hands for $2.3 million.

Kam Investments purchased the buildings, which total 34,000 square feet and are located in the 5800 block of Stage Road near the intersection of Stage and Bartlett Boulevard.

Brian Califf, executive vice president with NAI Saig Co., represented the seller, Southbay Properties LLC in the deal.

At the time of sale, all of the buildings were 100 percent occupied. Nationwide Insurance, Southern Crossing, Baskin-Robbins and rEvolve Guitar are among the retail tenants.

– Patrick Lantrip

Loeb Inks Pet Parlor To Farmington Center

Loeb Properties Inc. has added Pawsh Pet Parlor as a tenant in the Farmington Center at 1982 Exeter Road in Germantown.

Pawsh Pet Parlor is taking 1,200 square feet. Loeb Properties was represented by Aaron Petree in the deal.

Owner Allyson Frisch started the pet care career at age 18, motivated by a lifelong love of animals and their care. Opening Pawsh is the culmination of the Germantown native’s professional vision.

With more than a decade of experience in pet grooming and an experienced staff, Pawsh Pet Parlor provides full service pet grooming and a menu of spa treatments, including pet tooth brushing, nail trimming and grinding, flea and tick shampoos, and a de-shedding package. Pampered pets can also enjoy a Blueberry Facial or Dead Sea Mineral Mud Bath to exfoliate and deep condition skin.

– Daily News staff

Memphis Video Company Expands U.S. Footprint

Memphis-based video production company VIA Productions has opened a new office in Portland, Oregon, its third location in the U.S.

VIA executive producer Nathan Babian will manage the Portland office. He joined VIA in 2015 to manage its Los Angeles office when it opened, and he will continue overseeing post-production operations, primarily for commercial projects.

Sarah Verstrat is VIA’s first new hire in the Portland office. She joined in July as a client services manager. Verstrat previously served as senior associate producer for FOX Sports, where she was responsible for coordinating on-air promotions.

VIA plans to expand the Portland staff with post-production and quality-control professionals over the coming year.

Founded in 2007, VIA specializes in commercial advertisements and feature films.

– Andy Meek

Cooper-Young Art Invitational Scheduled for Sept. 14

The 2017 Cooper-Young Festival presented by Evolve Bank & Trust will be showcasing more than 25 local artisans at this year’s Art Invitational on Thursday, Sept. 14, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Art Invitational will be hosted by CoWork Memphis, at 902 S. Cooper St.

The annual event celebrates artists who live and work in Cooper-Young, and the free event allows them to showcase their work in a gallery setting.

This year’s invitational will feature artists including Colleen Couch-Smith, Karen Golightly, Darla Linerode-Henson, Jay Etkin, Cheryl Bledsoe, John Browning, Sam Griffin and Kathleen Carey.

The 2017 Cooper-Young Festival poster artist, Rahn Marion, will also have featured artwork, as well as the original poster art that will be sold during a silent auction. There will be complimentary wine and beer bars, refreshments and live music by the Sidestreet Steppers.

– Andy Meek

Paul Mitchell School Coming to Poplar Plaza

Though the area around Poplar and Highland avenues is usually associated with the University of Memphis, a new, albeit very different, school is coming soon.

Paul Mitchell Schools filed a $1 million building permit application with construction officials to move into the Poplar Plaza Shopping Center at the intersection of Poplar and Highland.

The permit application lists “alterations to an existing space for a new tenant,” for 3486 Poplar Ave.

Finard Poplar Realty Ltd. Partnership is listed as the owner of the property on the permit, while Traditional Construction Co. is listed as the contractor.

– Patrick Lantrip

Williams-Sonoma Hiring 2,000 Seasonal Employees

In preparation for an influx of seasonal orders, Williams-Sonoma Inc. announced will hire 2,000 seasonal employees to work from September to December.

The seasonal work will supplement the company’s permanent workforce at its three Memphis-area distribution facilities. Available positions include managers, merchandise processors, supervisors and forklift operators. Positions will be divided into three shifts a day, seven days a week.

Two hiring events with on-site interviews and drug tests will be offered on Saturday, Sept. 9, and Saturday, Oct. 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 7755 Polk Lane in Olive Branch, Mississippi.

Interested parties can also apply online at www.wsapplymemphis.com or in person at the Polk Lane facility Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

– Patrick Lantrip