Two of Louisville restaurant world’s young stars have bold new plans in the works. Bobby Benjamin and his partners are converting the Butchertown space that most recently was the Blind Pig into Butchertown Grocery, a “neighborhood fine casual dining restaurant and bar” by this fall. Dustin Staggers, who already this year has opened Roux and Rumplings, plans to open America. The Diner. at 814 Cherokee Rd. by early summer. (The space across from Cave Hill was once a laundromat.)
Benjamin’s new venture will offer lunch and dinner, a limited retail grocery seleection, live music and a speakeasy-inspired bar. “We want Butchertown Grocery to be Louisville’s living room,” Benjamin said in a press release, “a ‘third space’ where you can get a business lunch, multi-course meal, late night snack, a superbly crafted cocktail or anything in between…and maybe experience some interesting music as well.”
Butchertown Grocery’s building’s design and menu inspiration will relate to the structure’s earlier, original life as a grocery store. The dining area will seat 100, patrons will be able to browse through a specialty market on the first floor, stocked with items Chef Benjamin finds especially good, and upstairs there will be a bar with private dining room and live music stage.
Staggers plans for America. The Diner. to be open 24/7 and offer military discounts. He has ideas for making it into a fun place: old-school arcade games, air hockey, and a foosball table.
The opening of America. The Diner. is tentatively planned for May, and Staggers already has plans for a large, loud 4th of July event at his new place. The menu will reflect the design of the space: All-American familiar food–sandwiches, blue plate specials–at moderate prices.
