November 23, 2021 - Barret Avenue revival + selfie museum opens

Hello Saturday.

November 27 2021

When Lynn’s Paradise Cafe on Barret Avenue closed in 2013, neighboring businesses began to shutter like dominoes. But after a handful of years, the avenue’s local business community has breathed new life into the Highlands neighborhood.

After Lynn’s said goodbye, Barret Avenue culture stayed afloat thanks to lifers like The Nitty Gritty vintage shop, Artist & Craftsman Supply + Ultra Pop and over the years has been bolstered by additions like Shop Bar and Eatz Vietnamese.

Two new tenants prepare to open their doors by the end of the year, too. Glow Worm Cafe, a kid-friendly play cafe + Big Bad Breakfast, which will occupy the former Lynn’s Paradise Cafe.

While it’s no Bardstown Road, yet, here’s a recap of a few of the establishments that opened shop this year along Barret Avenue:

The People’s Bar gift set. | Photo by @tozasoap

📍 TOZA, 976 Barret Ave.

This apothecary + bodega — offering handmade bath and body care items, candles, and local vendor goods — opened in late May. It also offers Sip N’ Make soaping demonstrations, subscription boxes, and wedding favors.

Holiday deal: The People’s Bar gift set. Get 5 soaps + a solid ash wood bowl for $40.

📍 Barret Babes, 970 Barret Ave.

This thoughtful mash-up of size-inclusive vintage clothing and handmade jewelry store opened in September. The shop features wares from 30+ local vendors and hosts community events.

Holiday deal: Babesgiving. Bring a dish for this community potluck and canned food drive. There will also be tarot readings, Black Friday sales, free gift wrapping, and music.

📍 Fat Rabbit, 994 Barret Ave.

This original Germantown thrift store moved to the block in spring + offers an array of cassettes, CDs, DVDs, books, knick-knacks, art, and other home curiosities. Trust us, there’s nothing you won’t find here.

Holiday deal: Use code “FREE” for free shipping on online orders $20+.

📍 Flora Kitchenette | 1004 Barret Ave.

While Flora Kitchenette didn’t technically open this year, it did reopen under the new ownership of Nancy “Sultra” Smith + Jeremy “Wize” Brown in April. The vegan eatery serves baked goods, breakfast entrees, coffee, and teas.

Holiday deal: Flora Kitchenette will be open on Thanksgiving from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. with a full menu of treats to take to your gathering.

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TOZA
Barret Babes
Fat Rabbit
Flora Kitchenette

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EVENTS

Today

Bingo for Poppy | Tues., Nov. 23 | 7-10 p.m. | Old Louisville Brewery | Free | Raise money for Poppy the pitbull, sip craft beer + get some holiday shopping done in one clean sweep. 🐶

Wednesday

Houndmouth | Wed., Nov. 24 | 8 p.m. | Old Forester’s Paristown Hall | $25+ | Catch this New Albany, IN hometown favorite perform their alternative blues music.🎙️

Thursday

Thanksgiving Day Run | Thurs., Nov. 25 | 9 a.m. | Iroquois Park | $30+ | Run in this 5 mile marathon race to win cash prizes. 🏃

Friday

Light Up Louisville | Fri., Nov. 26 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Free | 527 W. Jefferson Street | Join Santa Claus and Mayor Greg Fischer in adorning the Christmas tree at Metro Hall. 🎄

Saturday

Small Business Saturday Sale | Sat., Nov. 27 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | The Little Loomhouse, 328 Kenwood Hill Rd. | Free | Get a 10% discount on all Loomhouse items during this shopping event.

Sunday

Victorian Holiday Tour | Sun., Nov. 28 | 1-4 p.m. | Blackacre State Nature Preserve & Historic Homestead | $10 | Learn the history of the Presley Tyler yellow farmhouse + its connection to the Revolutionary War.

Monday

Hot Mess Karaoke | Mon., Nov. 29 | 10 p.m. | 21st in Germantown, 1481 S. Shelby St. | Free | Get messy to your favorite songs + cash in on drink specials. 🎶

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

MORE NOVEMBER EVENTS HERE

NEWS NOTES

Weather

46º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain

Open

The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory’s new event venue, The Skybox, is officially open for bookings. The 5,000-sqft space on the third floor of the museum can accommodate 280 people. Bookings range from $1,200 to $3,500, depending on the event type + date. (Louisville Business First)
Be sure to get my good side. Angles Selfie Museum is open on Whiskey Row at 111 West Washington St., where it will operate as a pop-up for 90 days. The museum seeks to raise $50,000 for 50/50 Mentoring Collaborative for young girls + features eight rooms of installations by artist Latora Schmidt. 🤳 (WDRB)

Coming Soon

Officials at Topgolf have confirmed the sports entertainment venue will open in late 2022. The $18.6 million Oxmoor Center location will be the company’s first venue in Kentucky + include 100+ hitting bays, a bar, dining area, and roof terrace. Check out the rendering here. ⛳ (WDRB)
Taco City Louisville will open a new location in Hikes Point early next year. The third location of the local taco brand at 3085 Breckenridge Lane will occupy the former MOD Pizza space. The 3,000-sqft restaurant will also have a covered patio + 10-seat bar. 🌮 (The Courier-Journal)

Giveaway

Olmsted Parks Conservancy has your ticket to see Jack Harlow at one of his sold-out “No Place Like Home” shows in December. Enter the raffle to win 2 tickets to a hometown show of your choice + get a free, signed piece of merch as part of your prize. 🎟️

Drink

Expect flavored drinks to take a 180 turn in 2022, according to Flavorman, a Louisville-based beverage development company. The company predicts beverage trends in 2022 will include bold, yet simple single-note flavors + botanical-forward drinks. Anyone else ready for some new Phocus flavors? 🥤

Cause

Digs Home and Garden + and Petals Louisville are teaming up for a Caring Customers Holiday Shopping Weekend, running Dec. 2-5, with a special shopping day on Dec. 4. A portion of proceeds from weekend sales will go toward the Kentucky Humane Society and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 🛍️

Biz

Since Churchill Downs acquired U.S. Bank’s former building on Fourth Street for its new gaming experience, the Minneapolis-based bank will move its main Louisville offices to Lyndon. The former Downtown branch will move to 411 S. Fourth St. inside 4th Street Live! 🏦 (Louisville Business First)
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#LOUTODAY

O Christmas drink, O Christmas drink

📸 @shopbarlouisville

How lovely are thy flavors.

Speaking of Barret Avenue…Shop Bar has a festive drink special that comes with a Little Debbie Cake Christmas Tree sidecar. Sip the Black Velvet, a mix of Guinness and Champs, from 5-11 p.m. Dipping or dunking is entirely optional.

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THE WRAP

Editor’s Pick: Yesterday we tested your knowledge — as we love to do — on how many lights have been added to Lights Under Louisville since it began in 2008 and 68% of you answered correctly that the attraction has added 3.6 million lights in the last 13 years. Y’all are so bright. 🌟

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Illuminate the history of Lights Under Louisville here.