Access Louisville

Access Louisville is a weekly podcast from Louisville Business First. Follow us on popular podcast services to never miss an episode.   Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | StitcherWe’re reporters, not mediums. Yet last year, we set out to predict what would happen in 2022. Now as the year comes to a close, we went back to review those 16 predictions. Some were pretty bold, (and didn’t age well in hindsight,) while others unexpectedly were spot on.You can travel back in time and hear the rest of the predictions from last year’s show at this link.Here are a few things we predicted: Two more Publix retail locations will be announced; the NCAA will wrap its investigation and the University of Louisville men's basketball team a gets three-season postseason ban; Downtown properties start converting to apartments; and River Ridge Commerce Center will land a Fortune 500 corporate headquarters.Reporter Ellie Tolbert was spot on with the Publix prediction. In 2022, two Publix locations were announced, one

News of yet another Publix location coming to Louisville has the potential to shake up the grocery market locally. We chat about that on this week's Access Louisville podcast. Lakeland, Florida-based Publix announced a new store coming to the corner of Flat Rock Road and Shelbyville Road earlier this week. Reporter Eleanor Tolbert, who joins the podcast this week, explains this is the third store Publix has announced for Louisville. One other Publix store is under construction at 2500 Terra Crossing Boulevard and a second one is planned at the corner of Ballardsville and Brownsboro Road in Louisville. Tolbert has also done some internet sleuthing and found there might be one more Publix in the works in Fern Creek — though that's not official yet.Tolbert has been following developments closely in grocery/retail trends in Louisville lately, particularly since writing a special report on the subject earlier this year. As mentioned in that report, The Kroger Co. owns 43% of the local grocery market shar

Access Louisville is a weekly podcast from Louisville Business First. Follow us on popular podcast services to never miss an episode.Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher Jeff Brohm is coming home.After the University of Louisville’s head football coach, Scott Satterfield, announced he was leaving for the University of Cincinnati, yet another high-profile position was left vacant at the university.But this time not for long. Brohm, who is a Louisville native and played baseball and football for the Cardinals, will take on the head football coach role.This week, Brohm signed a six-year contract with UofL with a base salary of $5 million.Just last week, UofL named its next president. Earlier this year, it named a new head basketball coach and a new athletic director. Now with all of these vacancies filled, will UofL solve its “revolving door” problem?Reporter Michael Jones speculates that Brohm may be around to stay, especially because he’s from Louisville.We discuss this and more on the Access Louisville podcast

Access Louisville is a weekly podcast from Louisville Business First. Follow us on popular podcast services to never miss an episode.Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher  A Louisville private school made plans to demolish a neighboring apartment complex which it owns, but it received community pushback.Louisville Collegiate School, one of the area’s largest private schools, submitted an application to demolish the complex, Yorktown Apartments, at 2354 Grinstead Drive. But no decisions have been made yet. The Cherokee Triangle Architectural Review committee tabled the discussion this week. The complex includes three buildings, each with 16 units. Collegiate bought the property in 2015 and intends to use it for a 56-vehicle parking lot. The situation plays into a larger discussion of a lack of affordable housing throughout Louisville, especially in the Highlands neighborhood.We discuss this trend on the Access Louisville podcast.Also this week, the University of Louisville named its next president. Kim Schatzel,

Access Louisville is a weekly podcast from Louisville Business First. Follow us on popular podcast services to never miss an episode.Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher The day is finally here: Top Golf is open. After years of anticipation, the national golf concept is taking bay reservations now. But it was “softly” open last week, accepting walkups. Our reporter Eleanor Tolbert got to tour the facility before the crowds.Tolbert explains that she has visited Top Golf locations in Nashville and Cincinnati, but Louisville’s differentiates itself. It seems larger, she told us, with three stories and encompassing 67,000 square feet, with 102 bays, three full-service bars, dining areas, private event space and moreBut Louisville’s location has something else that sets it apart from the others. It’s one of just two Top Golf locations to feature a different menu from the others, along with Las Vegas. Our unique menu? Bourbon, of course.The bourbon bar includes nine different bourbon brands and specialty cocktails.B

Access Louisville is a weekly podcast from Louisville Business First. Follow us on popular podcast services to never miss an episode.Apple Podcasts | Spotify | StitcherLouisville has elected a new mayor — the first in 12 years. Craig Greenberg won the Louisville mayor race earlier this week, defeating republican Bill Dieruf.The race was closer than some expected, with Greenberg receiving about 52% of the vote, and Dieruf 46%. But Reporter Michael L. Jones reminded us that Louisville hasn’t had a republican mayor since 1969. We discuss campaign donations to both Greenberg and Dieruf by familiar names in the business community and speculate on what opportunities Greenberg will seize as he steps into the city’s top spot.Also on the show, we talk about news that’s been brewing in the Louisville brewery and cocktail scene.TEN20, a Louisville brewery which has been on a recent expansion kick, announced its fourth taproom. This summer, TEN20 will open in the Bolt + Tie, a $22 million mixed use development across the

Access Louisville is a weekly podcast from Louisville Business First. Follow us on popular podcast services to never miss an episode.Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher A Kentucky spirits giant is considering a $500 million investment in Kentucky. Sazerac Company Inc. was preliminarily approved for a 15-year incentive agreement in Laurel County in London, Kentucky. According to a report released by the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA), Sazerac is considering the large project “to meet growing demand.” The details of the project are still unclear as it was just preliminarily approved, Stephen P. Schmidt tells us on the Access Louisville podcast.On this week’s podcast, we introduce you Schmidt, our new reporter. He covers bourbon (timely for this week) along with technology, innovation and finance.It was a big week for bourbon. We also talk about a “secretive” whiskey company which bought land in Shelby County for $5.5 million. Assistant Managing Editor Haley Cawthon explains to us why th

Access Louisville is a weekly podcast from Louisville Business First. Follow us on popular podcast services to never miss an episode.Apple Podcasts | Spotify | StitcherThis week, several entities with Louisville ties were sold, including one of the city’s biggest hotels.AC Louisville, which houses Italian eatery Bar Vetti, is located in the heart of NuLu and sold for $51 million. Nothing will change on the consumer end, but the local group divested its ownership. We also talk about recent bank mergers and acquisition activity, including the acquisition of Limestone Bancorp and Republic Bank’s purchase of a Cincinnati-based bank.But in true Access Louisville fashion, we catch up on the news of the city’s food scene, including an official opening date for Jerry Green and Friends, a new club, and a fun bar/plant shop concept.We also discuss a recent podcast poll regarding which side of the Big 4 Bridge is better. Who won? Turns out, it’s “popping” in Jeffersonville.Access Louisville is a weekly podcast from Loui

A new report measured the quickness and accuracy of fast-food restaurant drive-thrus. Taco Bell, which is owned by Louisville-based Yum Brands Inc. (NYSE: YUM) took the top spot for speed, but the one in last place may surprise you.Chick-fil-A took the last spot for speed, primarily because the line is already long before the store opens, Haley Cawthon told us during the Access Louisville podcast.You can read Haley’s full story here.We discuss a food truck turned brick and mortar restaurant opening in Norton Commons, and a new seafood restaurant in New Albany.We also learn about a dream job: Old Forester’s Master Taster. The whiskey company named Melissa Rift brand ambassador and master taster this week.We talk about all this and more on Access Louisville.

Louisville's Waterfront Park is a gem along the Ohio River. But is the foot of the Big Four Bridge in Louisville as good as its counterpart in Jeffersonville? We discuss on this week's Access Louisville podcast — specifically on the news that a new "eatertainment" facility (a new pickleball bar) is planned at the waterfront.As to the answer of which is better — we suppose it depends on what you're looking for. Jeffersonville has restaurants, shops and bars while Louisville has quiet green space and manicured landscapes. Both have their perks. Later in the show we discuss the upcoming Louisville Beer Week as well as favorite Louisville breweries. And we talk about the reopening of Down One Bourbon bar on Main Street.Access Louisville is a weekly podcast from Louisville Business First. It's available on popular podcast services.

We go through the latest  restaurant news on this week's Access Louisville podcast. Some of the new places we chat about include Blue Bay Seafood on Poplar Level Road; and Barista Parlor, which is coming to downtown at 500 W. Jefferson. We also chat about the opening of Topgolf, which is expected in November. Later in the show, we discuss a disturbing report on sexual abuse Racing Louisville FC, including reaction from sponsors and fans.And lastly we chat about the sale of the Courier Journal's building downtown. 

What city would you compare Louisville to?We talked about that questions on this week's Access Louisville podcast. Reporter Ellie Tolbert recently attended a conference at which Louisville business and civic leaders were searching for inspiration in Jacksonville, Florida. That got us talking about how Jacksonville and Louisville share some similarities.Later in the show, we discuss recent news that Ford Motor Co. is expanding its operations locally with a $700 million investment. The company showed off its new model F-Series Super Duty Truck during an event at Churchill Downs.Access Louisville is a weekly podcast from Louisville Business First. It's hosted by David A. Mann and edited by Laurel Deppen. You can find it on popular podcast services such as Apple Podcast, Spotify and Stitcher.

There's so much going on in Louisville of late and we chat about it on this week's Access Louisville podcast.Bourbon & Beyond, one of Louisville's biggest music festivals took place last weekend. And this weekend we're looking forward to Louder Than Life — a more metal focused festival. In addition to that, Startup Fest has been ongoing this week and the National Jugband Jubilee are taking place this weekend. After talking about events we switch gears and chat about restaurant news, including a couple of closures — Red Top Hotdogs and Ramsi's Cafe in Norton Commons. Access Louisville is a weekly podcast from Louisville Business First. You can find it on popular podcast services like Apple Podcast, Spotify and more. 

For better or worse, wallpaper is back. In a big way too! In this year’s Homearama home tour, many of the homes feature wallpaper.Reporter Eleanor Tolbert shared what else she learned in her Homearama preview. One theme was clear: In a post-pandemic world, interior design is focused on comfort and community.“We all had to sit in our homes for a year, and now people are like, ‘If I’m going to be in my home, I want it to be a space I want to be in,’” Tolbert told on this week's Access Louisville podcast.We also discuss two recent closures in Louisville’s food scene. Breadworks, a locally owned bakery chain, announced it was closing its three locations for good. Plans are already in the works for a new concept in the Douglass Loop location. Over on the sunny side of the Ohio River (Southern Indiana), a Louisville-based brewery has closed its New Albany location. Access Louisville is a weekly podcast from Louisville Business First. This week it was hosted and edited by me, Laurel Deppen, stepping in for the

A Louisville author has filed a copyright infringement  lawsuit claiming that his tours of  Old Louisville are being copied by a national firm.We talk about what's behind the lawsuit on this week's Access Louisville podcast (you can also get the details in writing here.) Later in the show we chat about transportation issues in Louisville including funding problems at TARC. Additionally we chat about an effort (or maybe a lack of effort) to bring Amtrak service to Louisville.  Lastly we chat about a big redevelopment plan in Clarksville that involved buying a hardware store out of its lease. Access Louisville is a weekly podcast from Louisville Business First. It's hosted by David A. Mann and edited by Laurel Deppen. It's available on popular podcast services. 

A friend is coming to Louisville for just one night and wants to go out for dinner. Where do you take them? We kick around that question on this week's Access Louisville podcast. We also talk about a lot of recent restaurant news, including a move by Barry's Cheesesteaks, the newly announced Waldo's Chicken & Beer, the next phase for Jerry Green and Friends nightclub, and a move for Bunz Burgers in the Highlands. We also chat about a new coffee shop setting up in the Highlands and Downtown as well as some retail news from Him & Her Boutique. Access Louisville is a weekly podcast from Louisville Business First. It's available on popular podcast services like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

We talk about two Louisville hotel projects on this week's Access Louisville podcast. One hotel, proposed in Portland, is being developed by Gill Holland, who helped foster the NuLu neighborhood. The other, proposed downtown on Market Street, is not exactly a new plan but has been revised with some new details.Reporter Ellie Tolbert is on the show to tell us about the details on each. Fun fact: Both hotels are expected to have rooftop bars.Later in the show we talk about the concert lineup at the Kentucky State Fair, including how much the acts are being paid.Access Louisville is a weekly podcast from Louisville Business First. It's available on popular podcast services.

Chamie McCurry joins LBF's Access Louisville podcast this week.McCurry is chief marketing officer for Danny Wimmer Presents, the Los Angeles company behind two of Louisville's largest festivals — Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life.Both festivals are coming up in about a month so McCurry joined the podcast this week to talk about everything from this years line ups, festival origins, challenges and much more.Bourbon & Beyond is slated for Sept. 15-18 at the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Expo Center. It's a massive lineup, which you can check out here. Louder Than Life is the following weekend, Sept. 23-25, at the same location. Lineup details here for that one.McCurry  has worked in many aspects of the music festival business during the last few decades so she's able to talk about how these festivals have evolved over the years. Access Louisville is a weekly podcast from Louisville Business First. It's available on popular podcast services including Apple Podcast

In pandemic times, buying stuff online has been a way of life. But the white hot e-commerce sector may be cooling off.This week, Zappos confirmed it is winding down operations at its warehouse and outlet store on Minor Lane in Louisville. On this week's Access Louisville podcast, reporter Eleanor Tolbert tells us more about the company's reasoning.Zappos isn't the only e-commerce giant that's recalibrating for current demand: Last month, Shopify laid off 10% of its workforce and GoPuff closed dozens of warehouses.  In May, Amazon, one of the biggest consumers of warehouse space, told investors it had excess capacity in its fulfillment and transportation network, posting its first financial loss since 2015.But that downturn isn't necessarily decreasing the appetite to build new industrial facilities, Tobert shared, mentioning this big project at River Ridge Commerce Center.Of course, no Access Louisville podcast would be complete without some bar and restaurant news. We talk about Boar

On this week's episode of the Access Louisville podcast we chat about a large new distillery project in Louisville's Smoketown neighborhood. Reporter Michael L. Jones tells us about the ownership behind the historic building where it is planned.Later in the show we talk about Beam Suntory's big investment in Nelson County. And the closing of The Wiggle Room in the Highlands. Access Louisville is a weekly podcast from Louisville Business First. You can find it on popular podcast services.