“Iconic” may not quite be the right word, but “recognizable” would definitely work. Some Memphians may remember this building as a Guy’s Tuxedo, which it was for a long time. But years before that, this spot at 3580 Park Avenue with the large square block on the roof was actually a Fleming Furniture store. Take a look!
And right across the street was another building that long-time Memphians would recognize: the old Park Avenue duplex theater with that beautiful vintage neon marquee.
It’s no longer in busines either but back in the day, Partee would rent it out to hold the annual Fleming Furniture Christmas Party, where Fleming associates, furniture reps, and company friends would celebrate the year, and watch upcoming Fleming commercials on the big screen.
Of course, everyone remembers the leaders like Jimmy Connor from the Quaker City, and Gary Kane, who would show up at 12pm on the dot to start preparing his dinner speech. Frances Hayes had a knack for getting the party flowing again once it started ebbing. She earned that reputation in part for the time she pulled off a triple play: convincing a somewhat tipsy Holly McGrath to play Christmas songs on the piano (she got some free help from Mr. Lionel Ashe), while getting good ol’ Gene Doyle to sing Petit Papa Noel, while ALSO getting Sally Webster to dance (which she did almost normal)!
But these parties didn’t just happen. They required the support of some very special people. People like George Lewis and Alan Hoover—they had both been youngsters in Florida. Catherine Kelly would hang white socks with baby Christmas bears on them. Margaret Brighton excelled at making sure the VIP’s were taken care of. Donna Burke (she’s from here) would take everyone’s coat at the door because one year, John Michael's daughter had her brand-new suede jacket ruined because Eva Doyle (Gene’s wife) spilled water all over the front of it.
Yep, those were some crazy parties. You should now have everything you need to guarantee yourself an invite to the next Fleming Furniture Christmas party, or to find this cache, whichever comes first.
Of course, half of these names aren't even real. Figure out which half and you'll be on your way to the party!
***CACHE IS NOT AT POSTED COORDINATES***
