Nicholasville, Ky. - Nicholasville has been quietly upgrading its restaurant and food business line-up recently, especially in the downtown area. One of the foundations of an interesting downtown scene is a great coffee shop, a staple Nicholasville can now claim with the opening of the Main and Maple Coffee House and CafÈ earlier this year. This first-rate coffee shop in the heart of downtown offers free wireless Internet, interesting local artwork, and occasional entertainment. The menu includes a wide variety of beverages, breakfast items, sandwiches, wraps, salads, desserts, soups, and flatbread sandwiches.
Main and Maple is owned by Jim Davis, who also owns Commons Grounds in Lexington and The Hub Coffee House 'n CafÈ in Danville, as well as service company JMT Espresso & Coffee Repair. Main and Maple is not only a great foodservice addition to downtown Nicholasville, but it is a major improvement to the downtown streetscape, making it a significant real estate statement as well. Davis has a passion for Main Streets and bringing old buildings back to life, and this venture serves as a prime example. The building is owned by Charles Raffe of Danville's Redwood Property Management. For information about the coffee shop, visit www.mainandmaplecoffeehouse.com.
On the other side of Main Street are two other interesting businesses. The Wine Shop (Vintages & Spirits), owned by Bill Jacobs, has been in business for seven years and has established itself as a niche provider of wines and other items. One half of the store has kitchen accessories and dÈcor items; the other side offers a great selection of wines and spirits. Charlie Hensley, the director of operations, focuses on customer service and procuring hard-to-obtain wines from all over the world. The Wine Shop can assist you with wine selections and even help you create a custom wine cellar at home. The store has convenient parking in the back, and hosts wine tastings Friday and Saturday from 4:30 until 8:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.wineshop116.com.
In addition to his duties at The Wine Store, Charlie Hensley opened a great little place on Main directly across from Main and Maple called the Euro Wine Bar. The innovative new establishment serves tapas, hor d'oeuvres, salads and desserts with pricing beginning at $5 a plate. A great way to experience a meal for any appetite is to get plates of several items off the menu to experience its great variety. However, don't let the term "wine bar" fool you - - this is a full-service, serious bar staffed with bartending pros - - mixologists, really - - who take a high quality, creative and professional approach to their craft. Examples of creativity and quality include using all fresh ingredients for drinks including making their own sweet and sour mix. They also infuse their own vodka and bourbon, and even have a bacon vodka especially for a uniquely delicious Bloody Mary. Euro is open Wednesday through Saturday from 5:00 p.m. until 11:00 or 12:00 p.m.
The Main Street corridor still has its older establishments such as the Nicholasville CafÈ, Cottage CafÈ, as well as JD Legends, located just a couple of blocks off Main on North Second Street. There are some good independent Mexican restaurants in the area, including Los' Dos Amigos, El Potrilla Mexican and Fiesta Mexico. Chinese concepts include Best Chinese Buffet and Wahmei Chinese Restaurant. And Lone Oak Country Club has Dorothy's at Lone Oak.
From downtown, driving down East Maple will eventually lead you to Chrisman Mill Road, the road that leads to Chrisman Mill Vineyard. Chrisman Mill is a great place to visit for their cafÈ, wines and for special events. Their Web site (www.chrismanmill.com) contains a lot of information about this gem of a destination.
Many of the good things happening in downtown Nicholasville are the results of local entrepreneurs but there are other supporting factors and organizations. One is the Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce and the other is Nicholasville Now!, a Kentucky Renaissance/Main Street organization that has been a key player in The Downtown Nicholasville FaÁade Rehabilitation Project, with The Wine Store building being one of the program's beneficiaries. A fun downtown event is the annual Wine & Vine Fest (www.kywineandvine.com), which will be held this spring on May 15 - 16, the sixth year for this event.
Downtown Nicholasville has a vibrant and evolving business community. I encourage you to take a trip to Nicholasville and see for yourself by trying some coffee, wine and tapas.