A. Schwab — Local services in Memphis

The fun, zany, independent A.Schwab most of us grew up with is no more. When Elliot Schwab sold the store to Tommy Peters two years ago, he took everything but the name and the building with him. The family that currently operates the store tells tourists that it is still "family owned" when anyone astute enough to look at the business license behind the register will tell you it is in Mr. Peters(a local business man and club owner) name. The old manual cash registers have been replaced with expensive electronic systems, the quirky and inexpensive vintage merchandise has been replaced with incredibly high-priced replicas, and the Beale St. Museum(one of the only museums that actually encouraged you to pick things up and get your hands on them) has now been pushed into the corner and replaced by a tacky overly priced ice cream bar.

With their 80 dollar jeans, 100 dollar hats, 150 dollar slippers, and 350 dollar cigar box instruments it seems the new owners are trying to turn the business into a hip little boutique. While that sort of establishment may do well among the East Memphis/Germantown housewives, it certainly doesn't belong on Beale St.

Yes, unfortunately good old Schwab has gone the way of the buffalo, anyone going to Beale St. expecting to find a unique living piece of Memphis history will sadly be greeted with an overpriced corporate souvenir shop. If you're looking for cheap nick-knacks or trinkets go to Tater...

I travel a lot - A LOT. Over time, I've found myself getting jaded - there are places I've been that I just don't care whether I go to again. The "been there, done that" mentality kicks in, in all it's tired, hackneyed boredom.

A. Schwab's is NOT one of those places. I've been to Memphis more times than I can count, and among the many iconic places it claims, to me at least, A. Schwab's is the ultimate. You can talk with the owner and maybe even get a guided tour; you can spend time looking over items that have been there for ages, pick up a cheap pair of Elvis sunglasses, and add some voodoo oil to your collection at the same time. You can admire the chain mail suit in the front window, or buy suede hat boxes for next to nothing. It has all kinds of things, most of which I never would have thought of, but also most of which are fascinating by merit of their sheer oddity. Where else are you going to find a statue of Buddha with a blinking lightbulb in the top of its head? (Alas, this particular item is not for sale - I asked.)

If you go to Memphis, go to Beale Street. And if you go to Beale Street, go to A. Schwab. Don't let the unimposing exterior fool you. It's better than a hunt through the attic of a...

Met the nicest person organizing the store. She made my visit a once in a life time introduction to her hope's for their family store. My friend Lyn and I could have spent hours talking with her looking at the history of the past. Megan thank you for taking the time you spent with us. A once in a life time memory of the floors and old brick walls along with the old treasures. Hope to keep intouch with your dreams for the store Thank you , thank you Most sincerely yours, Gloria Fine-Gutierrez and Lyn...