After an 18-year presence in Downtown Memphis, the seafood restaurant Flying Fish has shuttered its doors. The establishment, nestled on Second Street south of Union Avenue near landmarks like Kooky Canuck and the Peabody Hotel, pointed to "civil unrest" as the primary actor causing a downturn in patronage, consequently leading to its closure. As reported by WREG, their official statement somberly notes, "We have struggled to keep our doors open but the civil unrest downtown has stunted sales for the past several years to a point of no return."
Much to the contrary of Flying Fish's statement, Jerred Price, the president of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, has called the situation into question, suggesting that the claims of civil unrest are not reflective of the current community conditions. Price, having discussed the issue on his personal Facebook account and in statements collected by WREG, criticized the rationale behind the closing, claiming, "to cite 'civil unrest' as your reason just seems a bit far fetched as 38103 is one of the safest zip codes in Memphis."
In the wake of Flying Fish's departure, several patrons shared their sentiments, expressing disappointment and nostalgia for a dining fixture that was renowned for its cuisine. Through interviews with Action News 5, customers reminisce with praises for the restaurant's fish and fried okra, while another voiced concerns for the loss of a social venue, commenting, "You see a lot of people in the community out here, you know, mingling about. One more of those closing down is another place where we can’t socialize anymore."
Nevertheless, amidst the dialogue surrounding the reasons for Flying Fish's closing, it's vital to note that the restaurant chain will maintain operations at its other locations across Texas and Arkansas. While the Memphis site has waned until its tumultuous end, the first Flying Fish, which opened its doors in Little Rock, Arkansas, back in 2022, remains a going concern, as mentioned by Local Memphis. The chain's longevity elsewhere could speak to a variety of factors influencing its fortunes beyond the scope of Downtown Memphis.
