FEATURE BY CAREY BROWN
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n January 2016, the Central Kentucky cattle industry changed forever. The change was not planned nor wanted but will be an event that will make a difference on the future. The 3-alarm blaze at Blue Grass Stockyards was heralded as the one of the largest fires in Lexington’s history. Despite the destruction, owners of the Blue Grass Stockyards decided pretty quickly after the fire that they would move forward and rebuild. Less than 1.5 years later, they are doing just that. It wasn’t an easy decision or process but there wasn’t a lot of angst on the decision to rebuild either. This has been a vision that one of the owners, Gene Barber, has dreamed about for decades. The property running alongside I-75 was bought long ago in hopes of building a new stockyard in Fayette County. When discussed 10 years ago, the timing wasn’t right. Now in less than 4 months, that decision and dream will be opening. They officially broke ground on September 2 and today, one can visit the facility and see those hopes and dreams coming to fruition. The new Blue Grass Stockyards Regional Marketplace will be way more than a stockyard. It is a risky step to take as there really isn’t another stockyard like it anywhere in the United States. The facility will be home to over a dozen businesses (see sidebar listing) including retail space; will feature a full service restaurant, as well as an educational center and museum. The location is ideal for producers, consumers, students as well as tourists. It sits on I-75 in Fayette County and is directly across the interstate from the Kentucky Horse Park. The main entrance into the facility is modern with an old twist that includes the brick from the old yards in the hallway. Wide, open hallways lead around the facility filled with agricultural businesses, a museum and The Yards, an agricultural learning center. For those coming to sell cattle,
you can choose to stay in the sale facility including the restaurant and office or you can venture around the rest of the facility to do a little shopping while on-site. The stockyards layout and design has been thoughtfully considered down to every last detail. The barn is almost exactly 5 acres under roof and has a one-time capacity to comfortably handle 3500 head of cattle. Everything except for the catch pens has access to hay and water. The facility is designed for humane handling and to control shrink. As always, the goal is to make it very efficient in the back to ensure a quick
sale and convenience for the producer. The restaurant will be called Hayden’s and will be run by DaRae & Friends Catering out of Lexington, KY. The catering business is very well known in the Lexington area and Blue Grass is excited to have their talents at the new location. DaRae Marcum, current owner of the business is excited to operate the restaurant. “We are looking forward to our patrons gathering around the table to enjoy a great cup of coffee or a southern soul-filled meal featuring our family recipes,” stated Marcum. Hayden’s will be teaming up with JSW Butcher Shop to create daily specials and
Cow Country News, June 2017, A publication of the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association
hopes to have monthly evening specials of beef and bourbon. The restaurant will be able to seat 125 people and will be open to the public. Careful consideration has been put into making the producers feel at home. If you are bringing cattle they have given several options for quick and easy unloading and plenty of parking for semis, trucks and trailers, as well as individual vehicles. Upon entering the new sale ring, you will feel right at home as designers have made the new sale facility very similar to the old facility. The angles and heights of the seating is Contʼd on pg.
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