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FeedApr 12, 201202:04 PM
White Station Tower's "Top of the Tower" Restaurant
photo courtesy Key Magazine
In the many decades since I've been writing my "Ask Vance" column (begun, as I recall, when I was laid up with my wartime injuries at Kennedy General Hospital), one of the topics often discussed has been the name of the revolving restaurant atop White Station Tower.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, that the place originally opened as The Embers — a second location in addition to the older, original Embers at Park and Getwell. And look — as this nice ad from a 1972 issue of Key Magazine shows — after a few years, it changed owners and became the Top of the Tower restaurant.
I like some of the wording in this old ad, especially that bit about the "dining rooms that seem to blend with the stars."
Revolving restaurants were all the rage in the 1960s, it seems, and Memphis had three of them (atop the 100 North Main Building, and the Mid-City Building at Union and Cleveland). They never spun fast enough to cause motion sickness; in fact, if you didn't enjoy a long, leisurely meal at Top of the Tower, it's unlikely you even made a full rotation — or is it revolution?
In later years, the 24th floor of the White Station Tower was home to a fine-dining establishment called The Pyrenees, and perhaps a few other places after that. It doesn't rotate anymore; the building management tells me the space is now occupied by executive offices.
As I recall, Barney Katzerman, whose scribbled name appears on this ad, owned other restaurants around town. Someday, if I feel like it, I may talk about those. For now, though, haven't I done enough for one day?
Ask Vance is the blog of Vance Lauderdale, the award-winning columnist of Memphis magazine and MBQ: Inside Memphis Business. Vance is the author of two books: Ask Vance: The Best Questions and Answers from Memphis Magazine's History and Trivia Expert (2003), as well as Ask Vance: More Questions and Answers from Memphis Magazine's History Expert (2011). He is also the recipient of quite a few nice awards, the creator of several eye-catching wall calendars, and the only person we know with a vintage shock-treatment machine in his den. 
I remember the one at 100 N. Main Bldg. It was Diane's. I was taken there for lunch many times when I worked for a downtown ad agency (up until 1994).
YOU ARE RIGHT IT WAS ORIGNALLY THE EMBERS. I DINED THERE SEVERAL TIME WHEN IT WAS THE EMBERS AND THEN TOP OF THE TOWER
I ALSO REMBMER DIANE'S. HAD A HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION LUNCHEON THERE.
My wife and I went there for an anniversary some 45 years ago and had a table on the perimeter. She seemed to "linger" a bit longer than usual after the meal and, when questioned, she revealed that she had placed her purse upon the floor next to the table and was embarrassed to say it was gone. Of course, the purse had not moved but she had inadvertently placed it on the fixed portion of the floor next to the windows and our table had moved on. We had to wait for the purse to come back around before we could leave. I also remember one had to "hunt" for ones table upon returning from a visit to the restroom. Quite disorienting.
I remember the old disco club 2001 at the top of the Mid Ciy building. I wasted many Saturday nights there when we did not go to Overton Square. Went there on a first date ther with a young lady. She must have been impressed. We have been married for 34 years. Thanks for reminding us of the good times Vance.
I was having a conversation with a friend and we were talking about the Whirlaway Club. I decided to check the internet just on the off chance there was anything about it. Just my luck I found your old blog. Wanted to add my two cents worth--- my mom and dad Frank and Maryanne Schwend helped Johnny and Jean Ogden run the "joint.'
and I bet other Memphians of a certain age remember fondly too. Thanks for the memories. N Schwend