12.14.2023

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Today’s Forecast

47º | Mostly cloudy | 7% chance of rain
Sunrise 8:00 a.m. | Sunset 5:39 p.m.

🍫 If you want to view paradise...

Four real-life Willy Wonka shops in Louisville

Store front of a candy store with class windows and red sign.

Muth’s Candies isn’t just home to the Modjeska, but gummy worm tombstones, too. | Photo by LOUtoday

So much time and so little to read.... Wait a minute — strike that, reverse it.

The new Wonka movie hits theaters tomorrow, and it’s got us in the mood for an Everlasting Gobstopper or a Whizzdoodle, so we decided to round up a list of Derby City confectioners sure to satisfy that sweet tooth.

Consider this list your golden ticket to Derby City candy.

Muth’s Candies, 630 E. Market St.

This NuLu shop has been around since the neighborhood was OldLu — Muth’s was founded in 1921, and the family’s third and fourth generations are now in charge. It’s home to the famous Modjeska — a Louisville-favorite caramel-covered marshmallow treat — but that’s not the only handmade confection you’ll find in the glass cases here. Muth’s regularly rolls out seasonal goodies along with candy shop standards, like a classic box of chocolate + malted milk balls.

Whelpdale Chocolates, multiple locations

Founded by Gary Whelpdale, who hails from the North Coast of England, this Louisville-based chocolate producer creates vegan friendly bars in a variety of flavors, like bourbon smoked sea salt, caffe mocha, and mint julep. You can grab one at several local stores, including Work the Metal, Full Stop Shop, and Oldtown Liquors.

Full Stop Louisville — Pick up a Whelpdale bar at local shops, like Full Stop.
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Photo by LOUtoday

Art Eatables, multiple locations

Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker. The small-batch bourbon truffles on offer here pack a punch — after just a few, you might find yourself with whiskey breath. Art Eatables’ truffles feature bourbon from Old Forester, Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey, and several other Kentucky distilleries, and make a great gift for the whiskey aficionado in your life.

See more sweet spots

Events

Thursday, Dec. 14

Christmas Comedy Spectacular | Thursday, Dec. 14 | 8 p.m. | High Horse Bar, 1032 Story Ave., Louisville | Free | Cut up with local comedians at this Butchertown dive bar.
Christmas Classics Vinyl Night | Thursday, Dec. 14 | 6-9 p.m. | 3rd Turn Brewing, 10408 Watterson Trl., Louisville | Free | Rock around the Christmas tree to classic holiday tunes + shop vinyl records.
Epiphany Anniversary Party | Thursday, Dec. 14 | 6-11:59 p.m. | Epiphany, 1525 Highland Ave., Louisville | Free | Sip Woodford Reserve cocktails + munch on complimentary bites at the one-year anniversary party for this Highlands bar.

Friday, Dec. 15

Hoho Disco | Friday, Dec. 15 | 9 p.m. | The Whirling Tiger, 1335 Story Ave., Louisville | Free | Dress up like the big man in the red suit and jam to set by OKDeejays — 21+ only.
“Maestro” | Friday, Dec. 15-Saturday, Dec. 16 | Times vary | Speed Art Museum, Louisville | $8-$12 | See the new biopic of Leonard Bernstein, directed by + starring Bradley Cooper.

Saturday, Dec. 16

Flower Power Vintage Holiday Market | Saturday, Dec. 16-Sunday, Dec. 17 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Logan Street Market, 1001 Logan St., Louisville | Free | Shop vintage + handmade clothing and art ahead of the holidays.
3rd Annual Sweater Fest | Saturday, Dec. 16 | 12 p.m. | Headliners Music Hall, 1386 Lexington Rd., Louisville | $10-$15 | Bring lightly worn winter clothes to donate to Feed Louisville, then enjoy local music, food, art, and vendors.

Sunday, Dec. 17

Pet Photos with Santa | Sunday, Dec. 17 | 2-6 p.m. | Seidenfaden’s, 1134 E. Breckenridge St., Louisville | $10 | Get a photo of Fido with Santa when you donate at least $10 to Kentucky Mutts Animal Rescue.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Shop

Subtract the stress from the holidays with 502 Hemp Wellness Center

Check out our Holiday Picks from stellar brands all season long. | Photo provided by 502 Hemp Wellness Center

If the holidays leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed, you’re not alone. If you’re anxious instead of excited about upcoming festivities, and nervous about choosing the right gifts for your loved ones, then 502 Hemp Wellness Center can help.

Stop by the shop (201 Moser Rd., Ste. B) to let their team help you knock out gifts for everyone on your list, and maybe even snag something for your own de-stressing purposes.

News Notes

Open

Tikka Tacos is now open in Audubon Park, in the former New Wave Burritos space at 3311 Preston Hwy. The Indian-Mexican fusion restaurant will serve dishes like Bollywood tacos, which includes rice, pico de gallo, and chicken tikka masala. It’s open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Louisville Business First)

Development

Starting today, the Louisville Visitor Center at 4th and Jefferson Streets will close temporarily for a renovation. It’s the first full-scale overhaul of the facility since it opened nearly 20 years ago. It’s set to reopen in the spring.

Fun Fact

The Louisville Zoo has a new tiger, named Timmy. The male Amur tiger is six years old, and comes from the Potter Park Zoo in Michigan. Timmy joins a female tiger named Sasha in the zoo’s tiger habitat. According to zookeepers, he’s a big fan of goat’s milk.

Outdoors

The Metro Department of Parks and Recreation has installed new signage at several Derby City parks over the last few weeks. The department says the replacements were needed after weather damage. Peep the new signs.

History

A new exhibit at the Frazier History Museum examines the history of Louisville’s Newburg neighborhood. It was designed by University of Louisville history students and tells the story of Eliza Tevis, a 19th century woman who gained freedom from enslavement and built a home there. (WDRB)

Feel Good

Talk about a big-time opponent — on Monday, the girl’s basketball team at Our Savior Lutheran School had to cancel their game when their opponents never showed. That is, until UofL women’s basketball coach Jeff Walz heard. He gathered a group of Cardinal players who showed up for an impromptu scrimmage. (WAVE)

Wellness

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Health

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Civic

🚗 Crosstown traffic

Two Louisville streets are getting a makeover

The intersection of 2nd street and Oak street in Louisville, KY, located in the Old Louisville neighborhood.

The project will see 2nd street converted to two-way traffic, with several stop lights swapped out for stop signs. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Two busy thoroughfares in the Old Louisville neighborhood will be converted from one-way traffic to two-way, after the Louisville Metro Government received $7.5 million from a federal grant.

The project will reconfigure a ~two-mile stretch of 2nd + 3rd Streets, from the University of Louisville’s campus north to Broadway.

3rd Street will become the primary route for traffic, and will see enhancements like:

curb extensions near intersections
retroreflective backplates on traffic lights
sidewalk ramps
ladder-style striping at crosswalks

Meanwhile, 2nd Street will see its intersections converted to four-way stops, including three that will swap traffic lights for stop signs.

The project aims to lower driving speeds and improve overall safety in the area, particularly for pedestrians and bicyclists.

The entire makeover is expected to cost $12.5 million, with $5 million in additional funds coming from the state and local governments. Construction will begin in late 2026, with completion slated for the end of 2027.

The Buy

The Buy 12.14.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A tried-and-true gift recommended by our editors. Think: cozy slippers, cordless vacuums, and weighted blankets.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Jeff

From the editor

While I am excited to see Timothée Chalamet’s performance in Wonka, it won’t hold a candle to Gene Wilder’s rendition from 1971. I grew up watching the movie at my grandmother’s apartment and, looking back, Wilder’s deadpan performance probably had an influence on my own dry sense of humor.

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