Renowned local restaurateur Nancy Shepherd, who opened Café Metro in 1980 and the Uptown Café in 1985, died June 22 at the age of 69. Wheelchair-bound for many years, Shepherd continued to preside over her restaurants, greeting her customers and hobnobbing with anyone who sat down with her at the bar. In the wake of the economic upsets of 2008, Shepherd closed Café Metro in 2009, but she continued her reign at the Uptown, now owned by her daughter Kelley Ledford.
In an obituary article in the Courier-Journal, Shepherd was lauded by chefs and patrons alike for her commitment to high-quality food, the ambience she maintained in her restaurants, which set the stage for the Bardstown Rd. restaurant resurgence, and for her outgoing personality and warmth.
Visitation will beTuesday, July 5 at the Nazareth Home, 2000 Newburg Rd., from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m, followed by a memorial service. A reception follows at the Uptown Cafe, 1624 Bardstown Rd.
