Instead of a flower arrangement or ice sculpture at your next fundraiser, imagine a sleek black Lexus LS10 as the focal point.

Lexus of Memphis has been offering its two showrooms, with a total of 10,000 square feet of black marble tile and blond wood, located at 2600 Ridgeway Road for area nonprofits to host parties, banquets and galas.

“It’s been an opportunity for us to do something that is an easy thing for us to do in the store,” said Bryan Smith, general sales manager of Lexus of Memphis. “It’s low cost to us, but can be a real benefit to the organizations that we partner with.”

The building, in East Memphis just off Bill Morris Parkway on Ridgeway, making it easily accessible from all over town, was built six years ago for $12 million. In addition to the high end look of the tiling and wood interior, the space is well-lit and doors can be flung open in nice weather for guests to spill out onto a makeshift patio. There is a kitchen in the back for catering … (read more)