Theme of new lounge is black literature

Proposed Downtown spot plans to highlight some of the great works

Owners of a proposed Downtown Memphis lounge have plans to highlight some of the great works by black authors.

At Cafe Lit, everything from the wallpaper to the menu will pull from the legacies of famed black writers like Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, Paul Laurence Dunbar and Nikki Giovanni, according to an application for incentives submitted to the Downtown Memphis Commission.

The three-story lounge will open at 111 Madison Ave. Owners Christyn Breckenridge and Frankey Anderson have requested $280,000 from the DMC’S Center City Development Corp. Of that money, $80,000 would be a grant to improve the exterior of the building and the other $200,000 would be a low-interest loan to help cover the cost of the rest of the renovation.

The lounge will have live music and open-mic nights for amateur artists. The menu will include small plate options, pastas, salads and desserts with cocktails and wines.

Remodeling the vacant building will cost the owners nearly $740,000, according to their incentive applications. That money will add a kitchen and bathrooms and upgrade the HVAC, plumbing, windows and doors.

“The proposed use of the building as a supper club and entertainment venue has the potential to extend more vibrancy to Madison in the evening, which currently has few businesses open at night,” DMC staff wrote in a report recommending approval of the loan and grant. “By adding activity and removing blight from this important corridor, 111 Madison will strengthen existing CCDC investment in the area, and continue to make Downtown’s core a better place for visitors and residents alike.”

The CCDC will vote on the grant and loan at a board meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the DMC office.

Board members will also vote on incentives for three other projects:

Owners of The Cupboard Restaurant want to add an “Express Grab & Go” storefront to the building that serves as its catering division and shipping and receiving office at 169 Carolina Ave. They have requested a $60,000 grant to help fund the construction to improve the outside of the building.

Developers for The Pearl apartments at 669 Adams Ave. have requested a $60,000 grant to help fund exterior improvements.

Finally, artist Yvonne Bobo has requested a $45,356 Good Neighbor Grant to finish renovating a series of lofts for fellow artists to use as work space at 358 Walnut St. Bobo previously received a $20,000 loan from the Economic Development Growth Engine of Memphis and Shelby County to help fund the building renovation. After three years, that loan can be forgiven. Bobo plans to build 14 lofts.

Reach Desiree Stennett at desiree.stennett@commercialappeal.com or 901-529-2738.