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Downtown Nicholasville restaurateurs present plan for sit-down 'soul' restaurant; request for startup grant deferred
Summary
Two entrepreneurs told the Nicholasville Board of Commissioners they plan to open a full-service 'soul' restaurant at 111 North Main Street and asked for city support for labor and equipment; staff said downtown grant funds have been reallocated and asked for a business plan and legal review.
Carrie and CJ told the Nicholasville Board of Commissioners on Jan. 27 they plan to open a full-service “soul” restaurant at 111 North Main Street, the former Nicholson Cafe building owned by Jessamine County fiscal court.
Carrie described more than 30 years of restaurant experience and said the vision is a sit-down restaurant with servers and a full bar. “We’re looking for a grant for labor purposes as well as equipment to actually be able to execute the full menu,” she told the commission, adding that startup help would allow them to hire experienced cooks and management.
City staff said the city’s downtown grant program originally offered funding for building improvements but the building is county-owned, which limits city-funded building work. Steve and Doug (city staff) said remaining downtown grant funds had been reallocated after two application rounds and that, to their knowledge, no city grant funds were currently available for the request. Bob confirmed funds remaining from that program were reallocated.
Commissioners asked the applicants to submit a business plan and financial projections to Steve. Staff also advised the applicants to check with Jessamine County fiscal court about county funding since the county owns the building and is performing building repairs. The commission asked legal and finance staff to confirm whether the city can lawfully make a contribution to a business in that building and to return with guidance.
No formal grant or financial commitment was made at the meeting. Commissioners expressed support for the concept and said they would explore what, if any, funding or legal pathways exist. Carrie said they would send profit-and-loss projections and other materials to Steve.
