FAST FACTS:
april.thompson@wreg.com
(Memphis 7/17/2009) The Plush Club caters to those seeking luxury.
Now with rumors the club is shutting down, managers want to set the record straight.
"We got tons of calls, calling saying ya'll closing. They putting a police precinct down there, said somebody got shot, all that kind of stuff." says Mack, who is the club's manager.
There's talk the Plush, at the corner of Beale Street, would be ideal for a police precinct.
Club managers want to squelch the rumor saying they are staying put and have a loyal following.
"After working hard all through the week, they look forward to coming to the Plush on the weekends and having a good time because they know it's one of the safest places to party at." says Randolph Perkins, the club's Operations Director.
But the Plush has been linked to shootings and violence.
Managers say it's mostly outside the club.
"Every time there is an incident on Beale they always say down the street at the Plush, which we didn't have any incidents, no run in's with the police. We really haven't had any problems." says Mack.
Earlier this month, five juveniles were shot in front of the Plush.
"If they check the report, they will see it was across the street in the park." says Mack.
Earlier this year, a person outside the club was hit by a car as he ran from gunfire.
"If you check the reports, it's a young lady that was leaving Beale and she accidentally backed over someone." says Mack.
There was also a confrontation involving two University of Memphis basketball players that turned into a near riot. Managers call it unfortunate.
The Plush Club says on any given weekend they have hundreds of customers, 18 and older.
The club can hold 850.
When you get that many people in one location, and then the crowd that usually gathers on Beale Street, anything can develop.
The Plush has 20 to 25 security guards on staff and it's business as usual.
- Rumors that downtown's Plush Club is closing
- Managers of the club speak out, deny the rumor
- The managers also discuss recent violence associated with the club
april.thompson@wreg.com
(Memphis 7/17/2009) The Plush Club caters to those seeking luxury.
Now with rumors the club is shutting down, managers want to set the record straight.
"We got tons of calls, calling saying ya'll closing. They putting a police precinct down there, said somebody got shot, all that kind of stuff." says Mack, who is the club's manager.
There's talk the Plush, at the corner of Beale Street, would be ideal for a police precinct.
Club managers want to squelch the rumor saying they are staying put and have a loyal following.
"After working hard all through the week, they look forward to coming to the Plush on the weekends and having a good time because they know it's one of the safest places to party at." says Randolph Perkins, the club's Operations Director.
But the Plush has been linked to shootings and violence.
Managers say it's mostly outside the club.
"Every time there is an incident on Beale they always say down the street at the Plush, which we didn't have any incidents, no run in's with the police. We really haven't had any problems." says Mack.
Earlier this month, five juveniles were shot in front of the Plush.
"If they check the report, they will see it was across the street in the park." says Mack.
Earlier this year, a person outside the club was hit by a car as he ran from gunfire.
"If you check the reports, it's a young lady that was leaving Beale and she accidentally backed over someone." says Mack.
There was also a confrontation involving two University of Memphis basketball players that turned into a near riot. Managers call it unfortunate.
The Plush Club says on any given weekend they have hundreds of customers, 18 and older.
The club can hold 850.
When you get that many people in one location, and then the crowd that usually gathers on Beale Street, anything can develop.
The Plush has 20 to 25 security guards on staff and it's business as usual.
