Top conversations:

A new shopping center + Vietnamese restaurant planned for Valley Station

We got on the phone with Derby City Pizza owner Larry Davis to hear about his plans for a local shopping center right next to his Valley Station pizza place, which he looks to fill with local businesses + Mama Le’s — a new Vietnamese fast-casual eatery.

A person’s gotta eat, and this city is hungry. Reader Lucy S. brought to our attention the $8 hamburger at Cunningham’s Creekside on River Road, while we inspired your lunchtime run with foods like miso egg salad + buffalo chicken sliders.

Top clicked links:

Art lovers and historians alike jumped at the chance to learn more about the Beyond Van Gogh: Immersive Experience when it announced that it’d be hitting Derby City. Register for pre-sale ticket information here.

Have you brunched lately? Big Bad Breakfast is now open in the former Lynn’s Paradise Cafe — and it’s a hit. We can’t wait to try the big bad hot brown.

A new staycation opened its doors downtown last month in a former military surplus store. Check out the Hollyhock suites + book your stay here.

Top Instagram comments:

We shared love notes from the community for a Valentine’s Day story + asked you to tell us what you love about the city. @shakiaharrisart commented and said, “I love how the community has poured into my business 🥰.”

We also reported that West Louisville would be getting its first hospital in 100 years, to which, @u2photography commented, “Fabulous news! I spent 28 years working within the Norton environment. Glad to see this.”

EVENTS

Today

Fifth Annual Beignet Bash | Tues., March 1 | 5-9 p.m. | Old Louisville Brewery | $3+ suggested donation | Help OLB raise $3,000 to support people with developmental disabilities by buying slices of king cake or Cafe du Monde beignets.

Wednesday

Buzzard's Roost & Girl Scout Cookies | Wed., March 2 | 7-8 p.m. | Westport Whiskey & Wine | $10 | Sample girl scout cookies paired with whiskies from Buzzard’s Roost. 🍪

Thursday

Blooms ‘n Brushes | Thurs., March 3 | 7-9 p.m. | Waterfront Botanical Gardens | $45 | Use brilliant spring colors to paint a forsythia flower with wine + non-alcoholic beverages available. 🎨

Friday

The Tyler Gerth Foundation Photo Exhibition and Benefit Auction | Fri., March 4 | 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. | Frazier History Museum | $70 | Witness the legacy of this Louisville photographer at this auction hosted by Terry Meiners.

Saturday

Board and You Bistro & Wine Bar: Drag Brunch | Sat., March 5 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Board and You Bistro & Wine Bar, 434 Pearl Street | $20 | Calling all queens, this delicious brunch will feature custom cocktails, gourmet food + fierce entertainment. 🍹

Sunday

First Sunday Nature Hike | Sun., March 6 | 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest | $10 | Join a Volunteer Naturalist on the first Sunday of the month for an exploration hike through the forest. 🌳

Monday

Couples Paint & Sip | Mon., March 7 | 6:30 p.m. | 21st in Germantown, 1481 S. Shelby St. | $75 | Paint sugar skulls + sip cocktails and wine with your love. 🎨

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

MORE MARCH EVENTS HERE

NEWS NOTES

Weather

65º | Mostly sunny | 10% chance of rain

Open

We’re one step closer to summertime because Dairy Kastle reopens for the season today. The beloved ice cream stand on Eastern Parkway was the subject of our Great Ice Cream Debate last summer + serves soft-serve cones, chili dogs, and specialized employee creations. Your move, Dairy Del. 🍦

Coming Soon

Watch Hill Proper, a new bourbon club in Norton Commons, is expected to open in April. Michael Crouch, former executive chef of Bistro 1860 Wine Bar and Spirits, will lead the kitchen at the new concept — which will feature shareable plates of modern American-style cuisine. 🍽️ (Louisville Business First)
Behind the post office on Baxter Ave., is the site of a new Highlands-based microbrewery, Epiphany Barrel House, which is set to open this summer. It will sell 200+ types of bourbon, cocktails, and charcuterie-style food. Keep up with Epiphany on Instagram for updates. (LEO Weekly)

Sports

Gather round Louisville Bats fans, because single-game tickets for the team’s 2022 Triple-A season go on sale today at 10 a.m. The Bats’ home opener is on April 5 against the St. Paul Saints. Tickets start at $11 with premium club options for $26. There’s also the option to get senior, military + group discounts on pricing. ⚾ (WDRB)
The UofL Women’s basketball team took down Notre Dame 86-64 on Sunday, concluding regular season play. The team dominated in the first half 54-15 with Hailey Van Lith + Kianna Smith leading the charge, each scoring 20 points. Catch the Cards again for the ACC Tournament on Fri., March 4. 🏀 (Card Chronicle)

Seasonal

Jenny Pfanenstiel, owner of Formé Millinery in Butchertown by Cultured Cheese Shop, is one of the official milliners for the 148th Kentucky Derby. She’s known for crafting her hats on a braiding machine from the 1800s. Craft your own fascinator with her on March 5 — she’s leading a workshop with wine. 👒 (The Courier-Journal)

Outdoors

First Tee Louisville has taken over operations at the Bobby Nichols Golf Course in Waverly Hills to further its mission of introducing youth to golf. The course received new golf carts this weekend + previously installed a new roof and two new bridges, with more improvements to come. ⛳ (WDRB)

State

Fritos, huh? According to America’s Test Kitchen, the most popular snack in Kentucky is Fritos. The deep-fried corn chip brand first entered the American snack scene 90 years ago. Today, we enjoy using the bag to craft walking tacos. See Kroger Chef Paul Dowell’s recipe for these portable treats. 🌮

📸 @theloutoday

We can stop wondering what beverage flavor LOUtoday would be — because we’ve made our own.

Meet The LOUtoday Sipper, a top-shelf spirit crafted by City Editor Sarah at the new custom bourbon experience downtown, Barrels & Billets.

Our expression is a blend of four WoodCraft Bourbon Blender spirits with a nose of vanilla and brown sugar and the taste of honey + chocolate.

#DYK that your photos and quotes could be featured in our newsletter?

Just use #LOUtoday on social media.

Here is the unique referral link for Tracy: ⤵️

Copy, paste, share + save this in a safe spot... or check here each morning anytime you need it.

loutoday.6amcity.com/subscribe/dHJhY3lAZXN0ZXNwci5jb20

THE WRAP

Editor's pick: Welcome March. This is one of my favorite months of the year because it feels like winter is finally done + spring will soon be sprung. 🌱

Something I especially look forward to is getting back outside + I’m making it count this season because I’m taking a class later this month to become a Citizen Forester with Louisville Grows.

Missed yesterday's newsletter? Take a sitting tour of LOU here.