Restaurateur Bobby Murray revives former Murray’s venue with a second Josie’s location
josies1
While it may sound cliché, veteran restaurateur Bobby Murray is a firm believer in the saying that when one door closes, another one opens. In his case, that door was his family’s Murray’s restaurant on Harrodsburg Road, which he shut down two years ago, but has now reopened in the form of a second location for his casual-style eatery Josie’s.
Thriving in its third month, it seems Josie’s, which is named after Murray’s daughter, is feeding a demand in this part of Lexington for an inexpensive, yet high quality, family-owned restaurant with an eclectic menu.
Murray explained how he decided to shutter Murray’s restaurant in the wake of his mother’s death and in the midst of the economic downturn. Operating Murray’s, along with Josie’s original Chevy Chase location, plus Merrick Inn on Tates Creek Road, which his parents bought in the mid-1970s, had become too much of a responsibility to shoulder.
“During the time the Murray’s building was on the market, we showed it to some people, but no one ever leased or purchased it, which I never understood because this area is booming,” said Murray of the Southside community, which boasts several newly developed subdivisions and condominiums.
After two years of continuing to pay the mortgage on the empty building, Murray and his wife, Jennifer, thought opening a second Josie’s location there could be a profitable idea based on the growing success of the Chevy Chase restaurant.
Originally called “Josie’s Grab & Go” and operated as a gourmet to-go deli in 2009, the Chevy Chase location was renamed “Josie’s” and turned into a full-scale restaurant just eight months later.
josies3
Known for its home-style breakfast menu, which offers an array of sweet and savory dishes, it’s now difficult to find an empty table at either Josie’s location on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Originally open for just breakfast and lunch, the restaurant has recently expanded its hours to include dinner service.
Breakfast specialties include unique omelets and quiches, waffles and other standards, like biscuits and sausage gravy and eggs benedict. The lunch and dinner menus feature lots of gourmet sandwiches, like Murray’s family recipe chicken salad and pimento cheese, and other options. Around 90 percent of the menu items are Murray’s own creations.
“It’s so family-oriented ... kids love it and it’s inexpensive,” said Murray, who added it’s the restaurant’s goal to have 10-minute ticket times to ensure swift service for its patrons.
Murray explained how Josie’s has become a welcome spot for families and friends to meet in a warm, inviting atmosphere.
josies2
The once-elegant atmosphere of Murray’s, which featured fancy chandeliers and posh curtains, has taken on a more creative, eclectic look since transforming into Josie’s. The restaurant has three indoor dining areas: the cow-themed “Elsie” room, rooster-themed “Foghorn” room and pig-themed “Wilbur” room.
“There are also fireplaces in every area,” Murray said. “I was just trying to tone it down, but make it comfortable where people thought it was homey, and I think we succeeded.”
When the weather gets warmer, Josie’s spacious patio will feature vibrant, multi-colored chairs, a fire pit, an outdoor bar, and a menu including summer-themed sandwiches and salads.
“I think it’s going to be a good thing for this community – it’s a place where people can come in and get something good to eat, and then go about their night,” Murray said. He added that Josie’s will not offer wines by the bottle or a martini menu like Murray’s, but people can still order a good-quality drink for an affordable price.
One different aspect of the Harrodsburg Road Josie’s is the curbside to-go area. “We carry everything to the car, and we’re finishing up the website to where you’ll be able to order online and pick it up in your PJs,” he said.
While it’s still a challenge to own and operate three Lexington restaurants, Murray said it’s doable with the help of family and other reliable employees. Jennifer helps on the management end, while his college-age sons, Dex and Trey, are both currently working in various capacities at the new Josie’s location.
“I also have people that have come back to work for me (at the new Josie’s) that worked here when it was Murray’s, so they know how we like to run a quality operation, and that’s a big comfort,” Murray said.
Although Murray never attended culinary school, he has been working in his family’s restaurant since he was a young boy. While living in the Merrick Place Apartments, Murray was hired at Merrick Inn at age 12, and three years later, his parents bought the upscale establishment.
“When my parents bought it, we went from serving 15 to 30 people a night to 50 to 100, and it just kept getting busier,” Murray remembered. “My parents knew a lot about food and had a way of doing things right.”
Determined to keep the successful tradition going at Merrick Inn, Murray recently added a covered patio at the restaurant, complete with a fire pit and 60-inch flat screen TVs in order to attract a younger crowd. So far, it’s working.
“Knock on wood, Merrick has been a blessing lately and is doing really well,” he said.
Operating three restaurants, again, has become a challenge for Murray, but not so much of a burden, and he’s hopeful he won’t have to be closing any doors any time soon.