With last week’s announcement of the new Sol Aztecas at the Whiskey Row Lofts, we started thinking about all the new activity we’ve been hearing about on the local business front.  There seems to be quite a bit happening in Louisville despite the recession.  We’ve thought about this before, but now as so many new businesses are being announced anew, we can’t help but bring it up again.  Here’s a rundown of some of the new business that’s happening in Louisville.

A tipster sent in news a while back about renovations going on at the former Nord’s Brown Bag on Preston Street north of Eastern Parkway.  Or tipster explains that the new owners of the building are turning the place into a venue and “restore the status of the Zanzibar” (the old bar was spelled with an “i”).  Vinyl or wood siding has been removed to reveal the original tile facade with a large “Z” above the front door.  Zanzabar’s web site has more information and a photot of the new facade.  They are apparently opening next week.

Sergio’s World Beers recently announced that it would be opening soon at 1605 Story Avenue in Butchertown.  With over 1000 beers, Sergio’s should be a great new business for Butchertown.  You should also read the bar review from our friends at Louisville on Tap.  Check out some photos of the move at Sergio’s web site.

Baxter Avenue is filling up a vacant structure with The Tequila Factory Bar & Grill.  Located in the old Nio’s location at 915 Baxter, the new restaurant is also affiliated with Sol Aztecas and plans a “trendy” Mexican spot open late on the weekends.  South American and Caribbean food with Ecuadorian influences is also planned along with Mexican tapas.

Another vacant structure, this time on Bardstown Road, will be the new home of The Dragon King’s Daughter.  Thanks again to the Louisville HotBytes Forum for breaking the news on the old Karma Cafe site.  The new restaurant will be run by the owners of the excellent Maido sushi restaurant on Frankfort Avenue.  The restaurant will offer “familiar Japanese tastes in new formats like sashimi pizza.”

Over a year after the Jazz Factory closed its doors in the Glassworks building Downtown, a new jazz venue called Jazzyblu Jazz Cafe & Lounge has opened up.  The new business occupies 4,000 square feet of the basement of Glassworks at 815 West Market Street.  The interior is mostly the same as the old jazz club, but the accoustics have been improved.

Across the street, the ZirMed Towers will soon be welcoming Jarfi’s Diner.  The new location will replace the old Bardstown Road spot and will include a catering service.  Here’s more info from the Louisville CVB:

“Jarfi’s Bistro is excited to announce they will return to downtown Louisville. The new restaurant will be on the first floor of the beautiful Zirmed Tower conveniently located at the corner of 9th Street and Market Street.  There will also be a private event space on the 10th floor that features a spectacular and unique view of Louisville.

“The new concept is “Jarfi’s Diner” and it will be modeled after “The Fog City Diner” in San Franciso and “Buckhead Diner” in Atlanta.  The menu will be wide ranging and will include everything from omelettes at $7 to a veal chop at $29.  The restaurant is slated to open by mid-September.”

And don’t forget about the two new spots near Muhammad Ali Boulevard and Fifth Street.  They include a sidewalk diner named Red’s and a blues venue called Sierra’s House of Blues.