Have you seen these Louisville references?

The 10+ Louisville references you didn’t know about in Trader Joe’s

Potatoes and tomatoes in the foreground with a wall lined with produce. Above it a mural of Baxter Avenue.

A painting of Baxter Avenue hangs above the veggies. | Photo by LOUtoday

Louisville’s Trader Joe’s in St. Matthews — aka store 628 — is the first Trader Joe’s in Kentucky. It opened at 4600 Shelbyville Rd. in October 2011. While you won’t find local products inside the eclectic grocery store chain with a cult-like following, you will find Derby City history written on the walls and reusable bags.

Above food displays lining the walls are 10 framed murals of landmarks. Let us paint you a picture.

Rows of steel buckets filled with flowers with a painting that reads "check out Louisville's finest flowers" — This is the first Louisville-themed mural you’ll see in Trader Joe’s.

Starting at the front of the store, just past the entrance, is a riff of our “Greetings From Louisville” mural. TJ’s version says “Check out Louisville’s finest flowers.” In the produce section, above the refrigerated fruits, are four Victorian-era mansions in Old Louisville. Next to it is the Ferguson Mansion towering over the meat and fish case.

LOUtoday_Trader Joe's 4 — Old Louisville is represented by the Ferguson Mansion and Victorian-era homes.

At the back of the store is the Louisville skyline with a plane flying a banner that reads, “Any way you say it…Louisville TJ’s means value!” with an image of a Louisville Slugger a little further down by the milk and eggs.

Rounding the corner, you’ll see the red Belle of Louisville propelling over cheeses and specialty dips before running into three images of the Kentucky Derby by the snack nuts and checkout lanes.

LOUtoday_Trader Joe's 3 — Trader Joe’s makes reusable bags modeled after each location’s state.

Off the walls, you’ll find more nods to LOU in the state-themed reusable bags. The Kentucky one features a horse in a Derby hat, a cardinal, and bourbon barrel. On the side, there’s a recipe for Joe’s Kentucky Hot Brown — a spin on the Louisville-invented dish made with sliced chicken breast, Trader Joe’s Giotto’s Alfredo Sauce, and Fontina cheese.

While it’s true that the grocery doesn’t carry local products, the wine shop next door does sell local beer and bourbon, of course.

Find how a Trader Joe’s store is made in episode 52 of “Trader Joe’s Inside.”

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Tuesday, Dec. 6

Mariah Carey Christmas Drag Dinner | Tuesday, Dec. 6 | 6:30 p.m. | Le Moo, 2300 Lexington Rd., Louisville | $15 | All you want for Christmas is Le Moo.

Thursday, Dec. 8

The Soul of Christmas | Thursday, Dec. 8-Sunday, Dec. 11 | 7:30 p.m. | Kentucky Center for the Arts, 501 W. Main St., Louisville | $43.88-$67.28 | Get in the spirit with renditions of holiday songs you know and love.

Friday, Dec. 9

Liquor Lab Cocktail Class | Friday, Dec. 9 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Liquor Lab, 823 E. Market St. Ste. 103, Louisville | $65 | Mix up three cocktails with drink experts during this hands on class and enjoy bites from local restaurants.
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland | Friday, Dec. 9 | 7:30 p.m. | Louisville Palace, 625 S. 4th St., Louisville | $39.50-$69.50 | Take a musical journey during this holiday-themed show featuring acrobats, aerialists, and more.
The Brown-Forman Nutcracker | Friday, Dec. 9-Friday, Dec. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Kentucky Center for the Arts, 501 W. Main St., Louisville | $39.20-$168 | Travel to the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy during this holiday classic with the Louisville Ballet and The Louisville Orchestra.

Saturday, Dec. 10

Paws in Nature | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, 2075 Clermont Rd., Clermont | Free | Take your furry friend out for a day in nature with activities for dogs, an ugly sweater contest, holiday photos, vendor booths, and Coffee and Cream food truck.
Made Market: Louisville Holiday Market | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Mellwood Art Center, 1860 Mellwood Ave., Louisville | $5 | Shop from 75 of Louisville’s makers.
Mile Wide Beer Co. 6th Anniversary Celebration | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 12 p.m.-12 a.m. | Mile Wide Beer Co., 636 Barret Ave., Louisville | Free | Celebrate six years of this lower Highlands brewery.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

59º | Showers | 49% chance of rain

Sports

The University of Louisville’s head football coach Scott Satterfield is leaving the program to become the head football coach for the University of Cincinnati — a member of the Big 12 Conference. Satterfield led the Cardinals to a 7-5 record this season and UofL has begun their search to fill the position. (WHAS11)

Outdoors

A 158-acre farm in Southern Indiana is being transformed into a public park with hiking trails. Located on State Road 64 near Georgetown, IN — about 20 minutes from downtown LOU — the historic property includes a 1910s-era farmhouse and three barns. The project should be completed in five to seven years. (WDRB)

Try This

Louisville nonprofit Queer Kentucky is launching a print publication covering Kentucky’s LGBTQ+ health equity. To celebrate, they’re hosting a party on Friday, Dec. 8, 6-9 p.m. at PLAY Dance Bar in Butchertown. Tickets are donation-based, but a donation of $15 or more comes with a copy of the magazine. 🏳️‍🌈

Eat

What’s for dinner, Louisville? If you’re stuck in meal-time monotony, we’ve got the perfect solution: Home Cuisine. The local service delivers chef-crafted meals straight to your door. Choose a plan that fits your lifestyle — whether you’re cooking for one or an entire family. 🍽️*
It’s soup season, y’all. Chef and “Chopped” winner Noam Bilitzer is ladling out matzo ball soup next week just in time for Hanukkah. Pre-order soup, hummus, pita, and more before Wednesday, Dec. 14 for pick-up on Saturday, Dec. 17 at Nouvelle Bar & Bottle in NuLu. 🥣

Job

Coldwell Banker McMahan is seeking candidates for its New Licensee program, which provides training, mentoring, and coaching to individuals who want to establish their own successful real estate business. For consideration, email your resume to Lesley DePaola, Career Development Director.*

Shop

We can’t stop thinking about the luxurious floral embroidery on this beautiful red and black dress — and it would be perfect to wear to “The Nutcracker,” too. The best part? It can be in your closet by Saturday with code RTRx6AM.*

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Jingle all the clay 🎄

Holiday shopping at Louisville’s Stoneware & Co.

Stoneware & Co. was established in Derby City in 1815. | Photo by LOUtoday

Louisville’s oldest pottery company Stoneware & Co. has decked its ceramic halls for the season — and among the candy cane tree displays and sparkling pinecones are a few gifts to nestle under the tree.

Here are three of our picks (and wants) for the holidays.

LOUtoday_mint julep cup — This candle doubles as a Mint Julep glass.

🎁 Mint Julep Candle

This 11 oz soy candle — scented like Kentucky’s famous cocktail — is a gift that keeps on giving. After its life as a candle is done, its second life as a Mint Julep cup begins. Plus, the recipe will always be at your fingertips.

🎁 Louisville-themed salt and pepper shakers

From red boxing gloves to miniature Colonel Sanders, these kitschy kitchen wares will remind you of home with every seasoning.

🎁 Holly Graffiti

Holly Graffiti is the official Christmas design for Stoneware & Co. It features various renditions of green holly leaves and red berries on bowls, plates, mugs, and more. Anything in this print is perfect for the holiday table.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Katie.

Editor’s pick: Last week, we asked you who you would want to have a Hometown Hero banner in Louisville. Here are few Louisvillians you said are worthy of a 60-ft-tall banner:

Writer Hunter S. Thompson — Shelly T.
2022 American Hero Dog Ethan — Sharon R.
Chemist St. Elmo Brady — Darbie B.
Artist Mark Anthony — Katherine B., Dani H., and Mary Anne H.
Germantown legacy George Hauck — George H.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Find out where to get a late-night bite in Derby City.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Katie Molck, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Mandey Lee | Advertise with us.

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