The greatest mystery of Ancient Egyptian mysteries is also the largest monolithic statue and the oldest known monumental sculpture in the world. When was it built, for what purpose, which pharaoh does it represent, and who broke the nose? Any answer is a matter of conjecture. Egyptologists have not found any conclusive evidence. No matter. The Great Sphinx of Giza is a wonder to behold.
—Egyptian Tourism Authority (also the source of today’s cover photo)
At Louisville Business First, Michael L. Jones reports the advent (circa June 1) of a new bar and restaurant in Butchertown to be called The Sphinx. The venue at 1601 Story Ave. formerly played host to Gold Bar and Butchertown Social.
The Sphinx will have food, described in Jones’ article as a “modern Southern menu with an emphasis on sharable and handheld items.”
According to Jones, The Sphinx “is part of a statewide expansion of Shelbyville, Kentucky-based First Roar LLC.”*
The Sphinx opening in former Gold Bar location in Butchertown
First Roar previously operated the Red Lion at Science Hill in Shelbyville. That restaurant closed in February, but the company opened the Channel Cat Fish House at the Guist Creek Marina & Campground in Shelbyville on April 7.
The Channel Cat Fish House and the Sphinx are part of a statewide expansion plan that will include a brewery and pizza restaurant in the Biagi building, across from the former Red Lion location, in Shelbyville…First Roar is also in the process of acquiring Rick’s White Light Diner in Frankfort, Kentucky.
Addressing these projects, co-owner Brian Grubb explained the benefits of economy of scale to Jones.
“Ever since Covid, you can’t really carry a restaurant any longer serving your mother’s meatloaf or your father’s meatballs. You have to get the margins exact. If you don’t, you will fail. It’s about serving really excellent food in an appropriate way, so that it is cost effective for everyone, especially right now in these inflationary times.”
Brian’s wife and business partner Kristin told Jones that more new restaurants are likely on the way.
“There are several other concepts that we go back and forth on. The best way to find out what is missing or what the needed in a community is to literally ask people. We do go to a lot of bars and restaurants, sit and chitchat.”
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* The first published iteration of Jones’ article referred to First Roar LLC as Boarhead Ventures LLC. I’ve gone with what seems to be an updated version.
