A phrase that's often heard these days, is "Downtown Memphis sure has come a long way." It's one for which, in large part, Memphis can thank the vision of Jack Belz. Mr. Belz and his family purchased The Peabody Hotel in 1975 rescuing it from dilapidation. He re-opened it in 1981, at the same time revealing his dream for revitalizing downtown Memphis.

Links to items mentioned in the interview:

Belz Enterprises

Society of Entrepreneurs Profile

The Peabody Memphis

Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art