Inflation is taking its toll, and business travel is still below pre-pandemic levels, but the tourism sector’s recovery seems to be on track. 

The Memphis Landmarks Commission board approved plans for a Scooter’s Coffee drive-thru location at 1698 Poplar Ave. 

A series of sticks and carrots also encourages developers to get in the affordable housing market.

Also, a longtime restaurant in Whitehaven is planning to improve its patio, as is Slider Inn on South Main Street, and a Wisconsin-based company has made its second — and third — acquisitions in the Memphis market. 

The concept will have three booths with curved 10-foot by 15-foot 4K projector screens.

Community leaders and patrons of the Fogelman Downtown YMCA praised updates to the facility Thursday, Aug. 18, as a recent $2 million renovation was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and luncheon. 

In addition to the 620 Madison Ave. property, the board approved a $25,000 grant for Downtown Wine and Spirits at 105 Madison Ave.

This week’s Inked covers news on the Brooks Museum’s new Downtown location, an 80,000-square-foot office real estate transaction in East Memphis and the Kiwi and Goji apartments up for sale. 

Construction work could begin in September for the facility near Germantown Road at Winchester Road.

Two residential properties and Downtown Wines and Spirits seek exterior improvement grants with the Center City Development Corp. 

The 10-unit subdivision will be on the back of the former Memphis Police Department precinct on Union. 

Arlington Mayor Mike Wissman lost a bet on voter turnout by a hair. A “38002 All-Star panel” discusses economic development for the suburb. 

“This is a key historic building in Downtown,” a Downtown Memphis Commission staffer said. “The building has been vacant … we want to see it brought back to use.” 

The local food truck will be moving into the former site of Regina’s Cajun Restaurant in a Downtown space near Court Square.

Developers Nick and Sam Patel plan to renovate the historic 10-story Dermon Building Downtown into 103 apartment units. 

This week’s Inked covers a Scooter’s Coffee Shop location, updates on Felicia Suzanne’s in South Main, a possible second location for Uncle Goyo’s Mexican Restaurant and the sale of part of the Germantown Parkway Parcels shopping center. 

With rents up more than 17% nationally over this time last year, the most user-friendly amenities are add-ons that do not cost residents more.

A $30 million, mixed-use development featuring upscale shops, restaurants and boutiques, patterned in part after Silo Square in Southaven, is poised for approval in Hernando.

Emerge Events will host the final 22 weddings on its event calendar following a decision by the Memphis and Shelby County Board of Adjustment.

Plans call for a pool courtyard, coffee shop, transit station and pet park.

This week’s Inked shares news on updates with the historic Cycle Shop and Supply building, the Northside High School redevelopment project, archimania’s TCAT BlueOval campus design and a new dual-brand hotel in the Medical District. 

Even as housing prices are rising substantially in some parts of the area, the value of housing in other areas has been stagnant or even falling. 

The Memphis and Shelby County Economic Development and Growth Engine board approved the acquisition of 27.45 acres near the Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. plant.

The development, called University Lofts, will be at 442 Monroe Ave. in the former Holliday Flowers property site.