Lexington, KY - Recent bullish business activity suggests that 2010 will be a lively year in the region's restaurant, food and beverage environment.
One of the worst kept secrets in town for a while was that Saul Good Pub (www.saulgoodpub.com) was going to open a second location. It is now official, with Rob Perez announcing that Saul Good Pub #2 is under construction at the old Ruby Tuesdays location in Hamburg. This is a high visibility spot, which will position the concept locations in the two most desirable retail destinations in central Kentucky. Rob and Diane Perez will be working hard to get this second location open hopefully in time for the spring Keeneland season. It is very satisfying to see another homegrown Lexington restaurant concept in growth mode.
In the Nicholasville Road area, the WineStyles concept (www.winestyles.net/lexington) finally opened. Franchisees Jim and Bev Taylor have worked hard to bring this unique wine experience to central Kentucky. The mission of the concept is to bring superb, world-class wines to the consumer at affordable, everyday prices. I encourage you to stop by the store and learn about this concept and everything they have to offer. They are located at the corner of Nicholasville Road and Moore Drive, in the same new development with Molly Brooks liquors.
Rumors and other information point to the fact that one of the hottest restaurant concepts in the country will be opening in Lexington in 2010. This concept, Smashburger (www.smashburger.com), was founded by ex-Long John Silver's executive Tom Ryan and is based in the Denver area. The burgers use fresh, never-frozen, 100 percent Angus beef and are smashed, seared and seasoned on the grill. Other items available include salads, sides and shakes.
However, locally many of us are already familiar with "smashburgers" in some ways, if we ever had a burger at Sawyer's restaurant on Main Street in downtown Lexington. I was there recently, and their smash-style cooking technique seems very similar. The burgers at Sawyer's are among the very best in Lexington. Additionally, Kentucky is home to what was once a chain of nearly 50 stores over four decades ago. That chain is Dairy Cheer, and their tagline has always been " Home of the Smashburger." The closest Dairy Cheer to Lexington is in Carlisle, Ky., with other stores primarily in eastern Kentucky.
Just east of Lexington, the Old Silo Golf Course and Restaurant (www.oldsilo.com) operates in Mt. Sterling. This restaurant has undergone a major menu makeover and has a great array of unique and appealing dining options, making this a nice destination restaurant option in Montgomery County, which has easy access off I-64.
The local Texas Roadhouse restaurant is part of the Kentucky-based chain (www.texasroadhouse.com). The chain is this year's National Beef Backer Award winner in the chain restaurant category, which recognizes chain and independent operators that excel in menuing and marketing beef. The restaurant chain was recognized earlier this year as Kentucky's Foodservice Beef Backer winner.
There is a lot happening with beef and foodservice in Kentucky. This month Lexington, thanks to the good work of the Kentucky Beef Council (www.kycattle.org), will host the 2010 KY/TN Beef Retail and Foodservice Symposium, which will give foodservice operators an opportunity to learn about what is shaping demand for beef, how to utilize various cuts of beef, and more.
In the Southpark shopping center, national chain Wingers Grill and Bar will be opening soon (www.wingers.info) in the old T.G.I. Friday's location, giving it one of the most visible locations from New Circle Road in the entire city. This concept has a nice menu and even has gluten-free options.
There is some local scuttlebutt that a "cigar bar" concept may be moving into the Brannon's Crossing development. There are a lot of vacant, second-generation restaurant spaces that will be a good fit for the right concept, so watch for developments in that area. Two examples that come to mind are the closed Max & Erma's location in the Beaumont area and the Corky's location in Hamburg.
Another unknown that many are watching is who and what will be the foodservice solution at the Signature Club. Debbie Long's move of Dudley's from Dudley Square to downtown is one of the most significant restaurant relocations ever in this town and begs the question of whether or not another concept will eventually occupy the old space. And, I think we all look forward to work being completed on South Limestone so those businesses can regain their business footing.
Many other ventures in the food and beverage sector are being planned, so keep your eyes open and your appetite healthy for what is shaping up to be a promising and robust year.