Billy’s Bar-B-Q, a Lexington institution for more than 37 years, has abruptly closed its doors, selling it’s high-profile Chevy Chase location to Louisville-based Joella’s Hot Chicken.
The deal closed Monday morning, according to commercial business broker Mark Sievers, who aided the sale. Calls to Billy’s owner Bob Stubblefield and Joella’s owner Tony Palumbino were not immediately returned.
However, two weeks ago Joella’s announced it was expanding to Lexington and had secured “an iconic Lexington restaurant location.”
“Expanding to Lexington is a natural next step for Joella’s, as we hope to share and make our Southern-inspired, hot chicken varieties a natural craving for guests across the Bluegrass region,” Palombino said in a news release. “The response from local customers here in Louisville has been overwhelming, and we can’t wait to introduce our hot chicken to Lexington locals.”
Palombino is the founder and CEO of Louisville-based EAP Restaurant Concepts, which in addition to Joella’s runs BoomBozz Craft Pizza & Taphouse and Manny & Merle.
According to Joella’s, the “hot chicken” concept is based on traditional Nashville cuisine.
The news release said Joella’s Lexington location will be headed up by Bruce Rosenblatt as managing partner.
Billy’s Bar-B-Q was opened in August 1978 by Stubblefield and Billy Parham, according to the company’s website.