[ UPDATE: Will have more information next week, but it appears the city jumped the gun on the announcement slightly as a lease has not been signed with Whiskey Row Lofts yet. Negotiations are ongoing and more news will be coming soon. ]
Get ready for yet another local restaurant planning to open near the arena. Metro Louisville announced today that Hiep That Ton, Michael Ahn Ton, and William B. Davis will be opening the Hog & Barrel Whiskey Saloon at the Whiskey Row Lofts at Second and Main Streets. The Ton brothers currently own Basa on Frankfort Avenue.
I placed called with involved parties, but wanted to post the news as soon as possible and will fill in the details when they become available. According to the city, Hog & Barrel “will feature food, wine, spirits, with a strong emphasis on bourbon and local micro-brewed beers.”
In addition to the Bearno’s by the Bridge already at Whiskey Row Lofts, Sol Aztecas Grill & Cantina also announced plans to locate in the project being developed by City Properties Group and siblings Julie “Valle” Jones and Stephen Jones.
On a Louisville Historical League “Civil War” tour in fall of 2009 our group was informed by Bryan Bush that the spot of this “Bearno’s” building is the site of the original Galt House(the first of three spots to claim the name ‘Galt House’. It has a terrific history but burned in 1865 before it was moved to First and Main.
It’s great to see the Tons involved in the area’s development. I’m wondering if this just about does the pub scene for the arena area and if there is a more varied retail to come. And I’m wondering what Blue is going to do with the rest of Whiskey Row/Iron Quarter before it crumbles away. I would think time is of the essence and that the time is ripe.
Congrats to CITY Properties, The Jones family and restauranteurs. They are making a difference in our community.