Lawsuit: Beale Street cover charge is double taxation

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – A merchant has filed a lawsuit against the city of Memphis over a $10 cover charge to enter Beale Street.

The Commercial Appeal reports that Lucille Catron filed the lawsuit Friday against the city and several other organizations.

The lawsuit claims that the Beale Street Bucks program’s $10 charge deprives citizens of the right to stroll down the public street.

The program began in June and will continue through the end of the month. It requires visitors to pay $10 after 10 p.m. on Saturdays.

The lawsuit seeks $5 million in damages and an injunction against the program. Catron says the program’s charge amounts to double taxation for citizens.

Some of the defendants named in the lawsuit didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.