Three Louisville restaurants are closing soon, here’s what we know

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Harvey’s

Left: Cocktails at Harvey’s; Right: Ashley Urjil-Mills and Brent Mills with their son Harvey

Harvey’s

Harvey’s, the Australian cafe and restaurant at 2011 Frankfort Ave. has been “down to no gouda” in Louisville since 2019. But the restaurant, bar and cheese shop recently shared some unfortunate news. Owners Brent Mills and Ashley Urjil-Mills aren’t sure of the exact date yet, but they will be closing their restaurant in the next few weeks, according to their recent Instagram post.

“We really tried to make it work, and all the love and support and patronage and kind reviews mean so much to us,” they say. “We also love our team and know this is very bad for them.” Louisvillians interested in Australian culinary traditions and good vibes are encouraged to visit Harvey’s, which their staff loves, before the business closes its doors.

Australian native Mills met Urjil-Mills while studying abroad in Australia. They named their business after their son Harvey and opened Harvey’s Cheese and Nosh at Logan Street Market in 2019. They moved to the former Mirin ramen restaurant location in Clifton in 2023.

Aspiring restaurateurs should note that Harvey’s offers its space as a turnkey restaurant. “We have a lot of fantastic equipment ready to go,” they say. “We would love to do a deal with someone who wants it all. We really liked this place and hope to see the next business there really thrive!”

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Lou Øyster Cult via Instagram

Charlotte Boyd and Michael Michael Powell

Lou Øyster Cult

Lou Øyster Cült – an unqualifiedly genius name for a pop-up oyster bar – also announced that “the valley has turned” and it’s time for their business to “get the coke out of here”. The endearing use of puns makes the news a little (but only a little) more bearable.

“The support and excitement surrounding our little walking raw bar has been truly amazing and humbling,” owners Charlotte Boyd and Michael Michael Powell shared in an Instagram post. “But our lives look very different now than they do in 2021, and after careful consideration (and a few salty tears), we’ve decided to hang up the apron and knives for good after this summer.”

Lou Øyster Cült has two final pop-up events as well as a ticketed shakedown class planned in the coming weeks. They are particularly excited about their event at The MerryWeather on Saturday 13th July, three years and one day since their first pop-up event at the Schnitzelburg bar. They are also creating a commemorative t-shirt available for pre-order soon.

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Señora Arepa via Instagram

Señora Arepa — Highlands

One of Señora Arepa’s two Louisville locations is also closing. Fast-casual Venezuelan arepita has moved into the former Taco Luchador location at 938 Baxter Ave. in the Highlands in February 2024. Now, less than six months later, Mexican-style restaurant Las Margaritas Veracruz has announced that they are expanding from their location at 307 Central Ave. to a space at 938 Baxter Ave., currently occupied by Señora Arepa.

So while Highlands welcomes the arrival of cocina a la Veracruzana, Louisvillians looking for Venezuelan food in a cool setting can still enjoy Señora Arepa at their St. Louis location. Matthews, at 117 St. Matthews Ave.