Flying Fish owner backtracks on ‘civil unrest’ statement following closing of downtown location

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Restaurant owner Shannon Wynne adjusted his initial statement after facing backlash from downtown leaders for citing “civil unrest” as the reason for Flying Fish closing its doors in Downtown Memphis.

“It’s my fault completely for using the terminology ‘civil unrest.’ I was on the plane headed to Memphis when they called me and asked me what to post,” Wynne said. “I thought ‘civil unrest’ was more delicate.”

The Flying Fish website no longer lists civil unrest as the reason for closing. Wynne said the public perception of crime is why the business has struggled for the past three years.

“I don’t think we are unique in having suffered this drop in sales,” Wynne said. “Most of the restaurants in the downtown area certainly will tell you if they’re being honest with you, sales are down.”

But the Downtown Memphis Commission says the neighborhood is seeing recent success and expects more business in the near future.

“There are over ten new restaurants that have opened in the last year in Downtown Memphis,” says Milton Howert with the DMC. “Next week we’re gonna have Downtown Dining Week with over 50 participating restaurants. We want all of the local community to come out.”

Downtown Neighborhood Association president Jerred Price says public perception issues are a challenge for the neighborhood, but those concerns have been addressed over the past two years.

“We are trying to push a narrative that 38103 is one of the safest zip codes in the city,” says Price. “That is backed by data. That is backed by the work MPD has been doing relentlessly for the last two years.”

Price says other restaurants are thriving and filling reservations while disputing the crime narrative.

“I’m just really fed up and tired with businesses citing crime as the reason that they’re closing when it’s actually bad operations,” Price said.

Downtown Dining Week starts Monday, November 3, offering 15% discounts at participating restaurants.

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