Chevy Chaser and Southsider Magazines combined issue March 2021

CHEVY CHASER MAGAZINE & SOUTHSIDER MAGAZINE MARCH 2021 COMBINED EDITION

&ss LOCAL LUMINARIES FASHION DESIGNER ALBERT LUKONGA HOUS PARTY THE UNIQUE DOWNTOWN AIRBNB ‘BOURBON HOUS’

LEXINGTON IN THE TIME OF COVID-19 A PANDEMIC PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT BY KURT GOHDE AND KREMENA TODOROVA

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Local Luminaries: Albert Lukonga Drawing from its founder and designer’s vast and varied experiences – from growing up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to working in American retail – the bespoke menswear label Albert Couture focuses on a leading-edge approach to individual style

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JENKINS & MORROW O RAL

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Lexington in the Time of COVID-19 A community art project highlights human connection in a year defined by isolation

Hous Party

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On Our Table

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Contributors

LOVED BY KIDS Trusted by parents

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Kurt Gohde (“Lexington in the Time of COVID-19” photo essay, page 16) teaches studio art at Transylvania University and makes art to invite conversations about contemporary social issues, from marginalized sexualities to the experience of homelessness. Recently, he has become newly invigorated by plans to reseed the clouds over Kentucky with meat, in loving memory of the Kentucky meat rain of 1876.

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Celeste Lewis is a visual artist and freelance writer and director for the Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center. She contributes a series for Smiley Pete Publishing (“Local Luminaries: Albert Lukonga,” page 9) focusing on profiling a variety of interesting folks from the Lexington area, from artists and writers to small business owners and other city leaders.

Tanzi Merritt (Hous Party,” page 29) is a Lexington native with a background in history, libraries and archives who works in the world of marketing by day and volunteers for many community organizations in her free time.

Estill Robinson (photography for “Local Luminaries: Albert Lukonga”) has been a photographer for over 30 years. A Kentucky native, he has traveled and photographed many different venues, with an emphasis on music and concert photography.

Kremena Todorova (“Lexington in the Time of COVID-19” photo essay, page 16) teaches American literature as well as classes that ask students to meet and work with their neighbors face to face. Born and raised in communist Bulgaria, she continues to draw inspiration for her art and teaching from Timur and his commitment to community. She became an official American on December 10, 2010.

Theresa Stanley is Smiley Pete Publishing’s director of events and promotions. She provided content for this month’s “On Our Table” (page 34) and “Drink of the Month” (page 36). n

chevy chaser magazine Southsider Magazine

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Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publishers is prohibited.

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CIVIC CONNECTIONS

BY STEVE KAY, LEXINGTON VICE MAYOR AND AT-LARGE COUNCILMEMBER

A

t a recent Urban County Council retreat, all council members answered this question: What decisions made by past community leaders do you view as having been wise? I cited three I believe are among the wisest because of their long-term impact. In historical order, they are the creation of the Urban Service Boundary, the merger of Lexington and Fayette County governments, and the creation of the Purchase of Development Rights program.

In 1958, Lexington’s population was about 60,000. Lexington leaders at that time, recognizing the inestimable value of our rural land and the negative consequences of urban sprawl, created the nation’s first Urban Service Boundary, which determined where development could occur. Sixty-three years later, despite our growth, we continue to enjoy the efficiencies and urban amenities that come with compact development in a county whose land mass remains predominantly rural. The economic vitality and quality of life we now enjoy in this community stems in great part from that decision in 1958.

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In 1972, the citizens of Lexington and Fayette County voted by a two-to-one margin to form the merged government now known by its formal name, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG). Most of the benefits of merging city and county government are invisible because the merger mostly results in avoiding inefficiencies. Think of those inefficiencies as potholes that have been filled in. Not noticeable, but they make a for a smooth ride. In his book “The Politics of City-County Merger: The Lexington-Fayette County Experience,” William Lyons, Ph.D., provides the inspirational story of how the community leaders who led the merger effort succeeded when most similar efforts fail. Lyons was a political science professor at UK who served as chairperson of the Merger Commission and then went on to represent the Eighth District on the Urban County Council.

In 2000, LFUCG created the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program as a supplement to the Urban Service Boundary.

This program aims to protect 50,000 acres of farmland from development. As of 2020, roughly 30,000 acres have been protected.

In perpetuity. Forever. Those are reassuring words when applied to the right things. The PDR program is our community’s ongoing commitment to maintain our rural heritage, to support the farm community that is an essential part of our continued economic growth and stability, and to respond to everyone who understands and appreciates how our rural land adds to our overall well-being.

These three examples stand out for me. I could cite others, and other council members spoke of other decisions that they see as wise. The underlying theme in all the responses was a recognition that in these and many other ways, we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. We know we benefit from their wisdom every day. n

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LOCAL LUMINARIES

Albert Lukonga DRAWING FROM FOUNDER AND DESIGNER ALBERT LUKONGA’S VAST AND VARIED EXPERIENCES – FROM GROWING UP IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO TO WORKING IN AMERICAN RETAIL – THE BESPOKE MENSWEAR LABEL ALBERT COUTURE FOCUSES ON A LEADING-EDGE APPROACH TO INDIVIDUAL STYLE STORY BY SARAYA BREWER AND CELESTE LEWIS | PHOTOS BY ESTILL ROBINSON SMILEYPETE.COM || MARCH 2021

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O

n the fifth floor of the downtown creative hub Base110, entrepreneur Albert Lukonga – designer, founder and CEO of the bespoke menswear label Albert Couture – has transformed a quiet corner office into a high-end luxury fashion house. Sexy, sophisticated music, a tufted leather couch and a well-stocked bar help set the mood in the space, which is designed to be a place not only for Lukonga to work on his designs but also a comfortable venue where he can get to know his clients.

This focus on personalized service is an essential component of Lukonga’s brand – and a step he thinks is often overlooked in today’s fashion industry.

“What makes my label unique is the experience,” he said. “Our goal is to craft something that resonates with your everyday lifestyle.”

After several years of research and preparation, in February 2020 Lukonga officially opened his showroom. While his label currently centers on highly specialized sartorial menswear, such as suits, shoes and accessories, a much requested and anticipated women’s line is expected to launch this spring. With every product offered, a common thread among all of Albert Couture’s offerings is the concept of “bespoke,” meaning that every detail – from fabric, pattern and fit to buttons, cufflinks and lining – is tailor-made based on the measurements and specifications of the individual client. Individual garments are handcrafted abroad according to the designer’s specifications – suits are made in Naples, Italy; shoes are crafted in Valencia, Spain. But “every piece is made by one person from scratch,” he said.

Located in the downtown shared office space Base 110, the Albert Couture showroom opened in February 2020. In the showroom, Lukonga gets to know his clients, takes their precise measurements and goes over options for fabrics, patterns and other personalized details.

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Every element of Albert Couture’s design are bespoke, meaning that every detail — from fabric, pattern and fit, to buttoms, cufflinks and lining — is tailor-made based on the measurements and specifications of the individual client.

PHOTO BY ESTILL ROBINSON

While Lukonga can pinpoint many moments of inspiration that helped shape his journey, his personal and professional path were also marked by a number of hurdles. He was born in the in the Congolese town of Lubumbashi, a region largely defined by war, poverty and political unrest. Even though his family’s means were limited, Lukonga – who is known for his presiding attitude of positivity and joy – refers to his time growing up as an “adventure,” citing memories of playing soccer in the streets with his family of nine siblings, gardening and helping his mother, a tailor who taught sewing and fashion design at a local college (she eventually taught him how to take measurements). Lukonga also recalls learning to tie his father’s ties before he went to work in the morning. These memories, he said, helped instill an early appreciation for well-kept clothes.

“I loved clothes, even though I couldn’t afford to have any,” he said.

When he was 8 years old, his family fled the war-torn Congo for a refugee camp in Zimbabwe, where he says they lived for six or seven years. Eventually, UNICEF helped pave a path for the family to move to the United States, placing them in Lexington in 2006 with the help and support of Lexington Refugee Ministries. Lukonga was 14 at the

time; he barely spoke English and knew nothing of this place called Kentucky.

While he never considered fashion or design to be a passion or career path as a teenager or young adult – at least not consciously – Lukonga was always known for his style, as well as for his infectious passion, enthusiasm and sunny outlook, all of which have certainly become defining elements of his brand. In high school, when he wasn’t playing soccer for Henry Clay, he worked as a model for Hollister & Co.; after graduating high school, he found his way into the retail world. While selling suits at Jos A. Bank, Lukonga developed close relationships with the clients he helped fit, many of whom remain his clients today. Working through the ranks of retail management, the designer says he “learned a lot about what worked and what didn’t in retail.” He observed things he felt were missing in today’s shopping experience: personalized service, attention to detail and a slower, more deliberate process.

Today, those elements serve as the foundation for Lukonga’s business.

When asked what he sees as the future of fashion, Lukonga says that he sees people eventually moving away from mass production and huge inventories, in favor of high-quality, personalized products that are designed to suit individual lifestyles. Not only

does he see this as a better approach to stocking our personal closets, but he ultimately sees breaking ties with “fast fashion” as a necessary step to addressing the environmental crisis. “I’d like to educate people to have fewer but better and long-lasting quality in what they wear,” he explained.

Still, he acknowledges that in many ways, the concept behind his label is largely considered to be on the leading edge, especially around here. Some of the most common feedback he got as he was launching his brand was, “Shouldn’t you be doing this in New York?”

“But I told them that I wanted to do it all here in Kentucky – to make New York come to Kentucky,” he explained. “I wanted to change how people look at clothes and how they shopped.”

Subscribing to the idea that what you wear and how you look play a pivotal role in how you feel, Lukonga makes it his personal mission to help his clients look and feel their very best.

“You sell yourself every day when you leave your house,” he said. “It’s amazing how people feel like they can do anything in the best clothes.”

For more info, visit www.albertcouture.com.

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Albert Lukonga recently took some time to answer some questions from Chevy Chaser/Southsider writer Celeste Lewis.

What led you to fashion design, and how did you learn your skills? Everything I know today all started with my mother. She’s the queen of queens.

My friends often talked about how they admired my style and asked for help with their style. My first retail experience was working at Hollister & Co. in high school as a model; later in college I had retail jobs, and I really liked building relationships with customers – getting to know them and helping them find what was best for them. Many of them became loyal customers who only wanted to work with me. I love that they are still my clients.

How did you come to live in Lexington? My entire family went from being in the refugee camp in Zimbabwe to Lexington, Kentucky – there’s a 1.5 percent chance of that happening to someone, last that I checked. It happened very fast. One minute we were in a crowded refugee camp and the next we were on a shuttle to the airport and landing in the United States, our new home. So many people helped us get settled and taught us about Lexington.

Tell me about the development of your business and your unique concept. I started my label as a shirts-only company, selling on Amazon back in 2018. At the time it was very tough, because as I was learning about business and I was also making some mistakes, which cost me a lot of money. It was one of the toughest moments for me. From that experience, I learned that in my industry, inventory was no longer the future. I wanted to get paid to make an item that you want, exactly to a T. Lucky for me, I knew how to measure, but I needed to learn more about fabrics, cuts, etc. So I flew to Europe while working for Jos A. Bank to learn from the best of the best, in Italy and Spain. That’s when I really learned business, the art of negotiation, and selling my story.

Subscribing to the concept that what you wear and how you look play a pivotal role in how you feel, Lukonga makes it his personal mission to make his clients look and feel their very best every day.

PHOTO BY ESTILL ROBINSON

What’s something people would be surprised to know about you? I speak five languages, and I love to ski and surf.

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WHY BUY LOCAL? Is there a place in Lexington that you like to go to recharge creatively? I love all kinds of coffee shops. I love to read, so any place that sells books is a weakness of mine.

Who are the designers or mentors who inspired you? I look up to Ralph Lauren. I want to be the first African version of him.

How important are clothes to identity? Tell me your thoughts on how our clothes shape us and become part of our individual history and well as the history of an era.

Clothes tell so many stories. When I walk in a room, I can tell who’s comfortable and who’s not. I can notice someone who has never worn a suit before. People will always judge you based on appearance. You need to dress like you have already made it, closed that deal, gotten that girl – it’s important!

Do you have a favorite piece in your wardrobe you can’t live without? I think a man can’t go anywhere without a good pair of jeans and shoes. n

Multiplier effect: Spending money at locally owned merchants, restaurants, and service providers keeps money circulating closer to home. When you spend money at a local business, three times as much stays in the community compared to dollars spent at a national chain business.

Nurturing community: Independent, locally owned businesses know their customers and cater to the specific needs and diverse preferences of Central Kentuckians. Local businesses also support community causes at more than twice the rate of national chains.

Do yourself and our community a favor by shifting a bit more spending to our local merchants, restaurants, service providers, artists, and nonprofit organizations.

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LEXINGTON IN THE TIME OF COVID-19 A PANDEMIC PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT BY KURT GOHDE AND KREMENA TODOROVA As Lexington approaches the one-year mark since its first COVID-19 case was recorded, we are highlighting a selection of photos from the photography project “Lexington in the Time of COVID-19” by Transylvania professors and frequent artistic collaborators Kurt Gohde and Kremena Todorova. For the past year, the duo has traversed Lexington, documenting the pandemic’s impact by photographing folks on their front porches ( from a safe distance, of course) and posting the photos and accompanying captions on social media. Combining elements of documentary, archive history and community engagement, the project has ultimately also been an exercise in human connection during a period so intensely marked by isolation.

In March 2020, with limited insight on the shape the year ahead would take, Kurt Gohde (above) and Kremena Todorova (below) set out to document the impact of the pandemic on the community. Over the year, they photographed folks outside their homes and posted more than 300 pictures on social media with accompanying narratives. The stories and photographs highlight hope in a year marked so heavily by fear; common ground in a year marked so heavily by division; and human connection in a year marked so heavily by isolation. We’ve included a small handful of these photos and narratives on the following pages; both have been edited so that we could fit in as many as possible.

We’ve highlighted just a handful of the photos from the project on the following pages, in roughly the chronological order in which they were taken. For more photos from the series, displayed in their original format, visit www.lextimecovid19.com.

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W

e took our first photographs for this artwork on March 16, 2020, the day restaurants and coffee houses in Kentucky closed, the day we began practicing socially distanced lives.

We photographed each other on our respective porches and issued a call to our fellow Lexingtonians: Let us know if we can create a (similar) portrait of you outside your home. We told folks we would ask how they were doing: a narrative to accompany their photo.

We promised to keep our distance. And to be kind.

In the days and weeks that followed, we shared many of our photographs and accompanying stories on Facebook. These images and stories allowed us to document some of the strangeness of our new lives, to connect folks across the city we call home, and to assure ourselves and others we would get through this: this being a global health crisis whose scale we couldn’t predict a year ago.

The first Lexington life lost to COVID-19 came a week into our artwork. Later that month, we wrote about elementary schools holding spirited car parades – dominated by pompoms, balloons and homemade signs – so teachers and students could wave at each other since they could no longer share the physical spaces of classrooms, libraries or cafeterias. We kept spotting teddy bears in firstand second-floor windows, front yards with new gardens and cars once driven to work now parked all day in residential streets. We watched as more porches were lit up by green lights honoring the lives of Kentuckians lost to COVID-19. We photographed families celebrating birthdays, women expecting their firstborn or second child and a couple who would broadcast their marriage ceremony on Zoom two hours after we visited them. Our photographs shared stories of Passover, Easter and Ramadan – each observed away from extended family, friends and beloved communities.

In the spring we traveled to the domestic violence shelter GreenHouse17. We created portraits of women and children, and heard of the challenges crisis shelters faced during the pandemic. We photographed a high-school senior working on the speech for her virtual graduation. We took pictures of members of the March Madness Marching Band, small-business owners and employees of Fayette County Public Schools – custodial staff, teachers, cafeteria workers, bus drivers and principals – to thank them for all they do.

We spoke with and photographed musicians, vocal performers, university administrators about to begin a new academic year, census workers and people dealing with another ongoing and often hidden pandemic: the opioid crisis ravaging our communities. We marked annual holidays and momentous occasions, from Mother’s Day to the Black Lives Matter protests that shook up big cities, mid-size towns and rural highways across the United States and around the globe. We recorded and shared stories of strength, compassion and care to accompany portraits we created of 56 Lexington women of color who lead as a way of celebrating their lives while honoring Vice President Kamala Harris.

Our hearts were made full by the gentle kindness of people looking after each other while managing the rules of social distancing and the grief from so many losses.

We were buoyed by the humor and generosity of everyone who shared stories, life milestones and everyday moments with us.

Thank you, Lexington.

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Shawn Gannon’s 50th birthday took place on April Fool’s Day 2020. His family had planned a surprise weekend in Chicago; they were especially excited to take him to a Cubs game at Wrigley Field. As it turned out, there could be no trip to Chicago – but Shawn turned 50 anyway, and the family managed to get together and celebrate.

In late March 2020, fiber artist and University of Kentucky art professor Arturo Sandoval took a break from working on new artworks to sit for a picture. Since that visit, he has created 22 studies for a series called “Confined City In The Age of COVID-19,” one of which was accepted into Quilt National, a juried biennial exhibition of contemporary quilt art.

When she became pregnant, entrepreneur and business owner Kaelyn Query had a hard time following doctor’s orders to slow down; her parents joked the pandemic was the only thing that could help. This photo was taken in April; in August she gave birth to a baby boy. Despite the pandemic-induced financial losses and sleepless/ stressful nights, Query feels grateful that this time has allowed her to fully enjoy being pregnant, to spend quality time with her newborn and to truly appreciate the art of slowing down.

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Celebrating a monumental birthday in April, in the thick of the pandemicimposed lockdown, provided Ashley Schocat (left) “an opportunity to be grateful for a whole new realm of things,” she said. She’s pictured here with her partner, Amanda Ralston, and their dog, Twiggy, on their front porch, which they decorated with pandemic-inspired flare (their cat, Skinner, can be seen peeking through the window).

In the photo at right taken in April, University of Kentucky Art Museum director Stuart Horodner wears a kimono he bought at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Boca Raton, during one of many trips to care for his aging parents in Florida in recent years. “In this pandemic period, I am enjoying being in this outfit for a few hours each day – having morning coffee, checking out developments in my garden, and working at the computer,” he said. Since this photo was taken, Horodner says he’s been buoyed by the fact that the UK Art Museum has been able to reopen, and that visitors seem delighted to be safely experiencing its exhibitions.

The Froukh family had two family businesses impacted by the pandemic: Cuts on Lime Barbershop, which closed in March, and Habibis Sweets & Pastries, which remains open but has struggled over the past year. The family also struggled with not being able to celebrate holidays with their extended family, even those who live nearby.

“The social distancing has also brought back traumatic memories from living under lockdown in Palestine years ago,” said Hanan, pictured second from left.

Still, she added, “we are trying to keep a positive outlook and serve our community.”

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Northside residents Christine and Philip Manga, a mother and son who were photographed in July, noted they were able to find blessings amidst the havoc wreaked by the pandemic. “This pandemic has enabled me to spend more time with my family, to grow as an individual.

Despite all the madness, I have an opportunity to exercise my will and make things happen. One word: grateful,” Philip said.

Photographed around Mother’s Day, Lexington writer Crystal Wilkinson wrote at the time that she was thinking about mothers: “...mothers in nursing homes, in senior citizen facilities, in apartments, in houses all over this city, in cities around the country who can’t hug their children today… On this Mother’s Day we are all wondering what the future holds,” she continued. “I hope for a future for us all that involves cheer and the joy of laughter and shared meals, and most of all, abundant, tight, warm, love-filled hugs.”

Bluegrass Youth Ballet director Adalhi Aranda (middle) and her family were subject to the same challenges faced by many during the pandemic, particularly those related to virtual learning and teaching. From teaching ballet on a virtual platform to navigating middle school and engineering school away from peers, adjustments were made and perspectives were shifted. “I used to get annoyed at people at school,” said Mariano, age 12. “Now I realize I miss them.”

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Wyn Morris and Vicki Sword, pictured here with their son, Owen, are both passionate animal welfare volunteers.

“With shelters throughout the state being greatly understaffed or closed to the public, the need has been tremendous,” Sword said. While Morris hasn’t been able to bring home any monkeys or chimps from Primate Rescue Center, where he volunteers weekly during non-pandemic times, the family has been fostering a rotating door of kitties through the program Halfway Home Rescue Kentucky.

“This building is iconic and it represents all our employees. It shows what we’re about: providing education to all kids in the county,” said the late Fayette County Public Schools superintendent Manny Caulk (below), when explaining why he wanted to have his family photographed at the FCPS main office rather than at home. Caulk passed away Dec. 4 and is missed by many.

“Accepting my truth brought me peace and opened my heart to love and changed my very existence. I am the author of my desire; I no longer trek the path assigned to me but create my road to destiny. My adventure awaits, and with my beloved at my side, we will chase the wonders of life, without fear,” said Shady, pictured above at right, along with partner Petty

Early in the pandemic, to ease her anxiety, Ana, a Lexington doctor, found herself diving deep into medical and research journals, “hoping the science [or the experience of those before us] would make the answers easier.” As she noted in July, she didn’t find those answers to come any easier. But she and her husband, Kiet, pictured at right with their dog, Buzz, made continued efforts to keep the hope, including the installation of this sign on their fence. “The HOPE sign was for us as much as it was for all that walk by.

We will always live with some of our ghosts, which come to life in times like these,” she said. “In the meantime, we have hope, words, art, and neighbors, leveling the field so we ourselves remain unbroken.”

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In July, Emily and Echo Woxihara moved from their Mentelle neighborhood apartment out to the country to save money and be closer to family.

The couple, who are both musicians who had their creative outlet and livelihoods affected by the pandemic said, “It’s funny how motivation to create is different for everyone – there’s almost this invisible pressure to produce something meaningful when you suddenly have all of this extra time on your hands.” They noted recently that farm life was ultimately conducive to their creativity: At the end of the year, they recorded and released a new original song with video accompaniment and are excited to have started getting “back in the swing of things” with their band, Ancient Warfare.

“I fight to show people there is always room for growth. There’s such a thing as growing up, becoming educated, and doing better. I’ve learned that it is my duty to fight, not only for my own freedom but for that of others. I fight so, hopefully, my children and grandchildren will never have to be out in the streets fighting for the same things that I have,” said Kenzie Green (below)

“We wear our masks to protect you. We wear our masks to protect our community. We wear our masks, not out of fear but out of love,” said Kathleen Winter, Ph.D., Master’s in Public Health, and assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health, pictured above with her family in July.

Pictured at right, Dr. Seema Capoor is a physician, surgeon and associate professor at the Department of Ophthalmology at UK HealthCare.

Photographed in January as part of Todorova and Gohde’s “Lexington Women of Color Who Lead” project, a subseries of their Lexington in the Time of COVID-19 project, Capoor said that as an immigrant and woman of color, she has been heartened by the interest of patients and coworkers in her Indian background. “I wish for all womenof color to experience this sense of empowerment by their work,” she said.

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HOUS PARTY

Inspired by a favorite annual travel tradition, Lexington entrepreneur Brian Luftman (pictured at left) transformed a historic downtown building into a modern vacation rental in 2020.

PHOTOS BY MATT HUBER

WITH ACCOMMODATIONS FOR UP TO 14 GUESTS, THIS UNIQUE DOWNTOWN LEXINGTON AIRBNB TAKES DESIGN CUES FROM ITS OWNER’S FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS STORY BY TANZI MERRITT PHOTOS BY MATT HUBER - MEDIAWORKS

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PHOTOS BY MATT HUBER

Taking up close to half of the entire bottom floor, the central gathering room (pictured at top) is equipped with a self-service bar, a dining room table, seating area, two large TVs, video games and a high-end stereo system with full surround sound and an extensive digital music library.

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he idea for Bourbon Hous, a unique new vacation rental in downtown Lexington, grew out of a treasured annual vacation ritual that local entrepreneur Brian Luftman shares with a group of college buddies who all now live in different cities.

And cool it is. The seven-bedroom/seven-bath vacation rental seamlessly integrates a modern aesthetic with the historic character of the building. With updated amenities throughout the house and an opulent party room, Bourbon Hous has become a popular lodging spot for family gatherings, groups of business travelers and folks looking for a more private (or socially distanced) alternative to a traditional hotel.

“Every year since college, [we] pick a cool town and find the coolest house we can and all convene there,” Luftman explained. “We’ve been doing it for 20 years.”

Luftman and his wife, Sara, met at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and lived in Chicago for a decade before moving to Lexington in 2011. A former commodities trader, Luftman founded American Farm Investors, a farmland investment firm whose properties primarily grow corn and wheat to supply the bourbon industry. Sara, with her business partner, Dottie Maloney, owns Haven Home & Garden, which stocks a mixture of new and antique furnishings, home accessories, clothing and jewelry, and also provides custom interior design services. In addition to creating the fun and comfortable aesthetic of Bourbon Hous, Haven is also responsible for the decor at Kenwickarea restaurant Epping’s on Eastside, another historic building that has been impeccably renovated with a unique modern aesthetic.

Luftman was inspired not only by those experiences but also by a specific building on the corner of South Broadway and Maxwell Street that for years had caught his eye every time he drove by it. A couple of years ago, forces aligned and he purchased the building with the express goal of turning it into a unique vacation rental that would rival his favorite Airbnbs from around the country.

“My goal with this was to make it the coolest place we’d ever stayed,” the Lexington native said.

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Although there is some uncertainty about the exact date, Luftman believes the building was built in the 1880s or 1890s. It was occupied for many years by the Carpenters Local Union No. 1650, which sold it in 2006 to the first in a series of developers that had hoped to demolish the structure only to be roadblocked by the fact the building sits within a historic overlay district.

The building had stood vacant for nearly two decades before Bourbon Hous officially opened on October 1.

“Unless someone put in a high-end office, there wasn’t much other use for it,” Luftman said. “No one thought of a way to make [it] work.”

Because of the building’s age, one of the biggest challenges was making sure the plans conformed to the requirements of the city’s Historic Preservation Commission and the Board of Architectural Review. Given its location in one of city’s 15 historic overlay districts, modifications to the building’s exterior are subject to certain guidelines and approvals from the city’s Historic Preservation Commission. One of the main issues Luftman faced came when he realized he needed to replace the old windows in the bedrooms to reduce street noises. After some backand-forth with the commission, he was granted permission to replace the original windows.

“We realized that those windows weren’t historic, and thankfully, they allowed me to replace them,” he said. “Now when you are in this room you can sleep. This is a loud [street] corner.”

The home’s design blends historic features — such as the original staircase and banister (above) and historic documents from when the building belonged to the Carpenters Local Union (hanging on the wall of the billiards room, below) — with modern decor details like the neon sign pictured at left, surrounded by some of Luftman’s favorite albums.

PHOTOS BY MATT HUBER

Zoning issues with the building presented yet another challenge for Luftman.

“This is not zoned residential and getting an Airbnb in a business district isn’t easy. We had to get it zoned as an extended-stay hotel, and at least 50 percent of our rentals have to be a week or longer, which is a little bit of a challenge, but so far we’ve been right on that,” he said.

When Luftman bought the property, the twostory structure was divided, with two separate storefronts on the first floor, only one of which connected to the second floor. The second floor contained a large open room with a stage, where union meetings took place.

Luftman hired Jace Burris of JBC Architects to redraw the whole floor plan.

“The only walls that stayed are two big dividing walls in the center of the house,” Luftman said. While the interior footprint of the current modern structure surrounding the two original brick walls is almost entirely new, the original staircase and banister were preserved and refinished, retaining a central emblem of the building’s original historic character.

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While Luftman knew he wanted a modern, upscale feel to the decor, he turned the decorating over to his wife, who said she wanted the house to feel like an escape.

“Some of our favorite places include ocean retreats, big cities and traveling abroad,” she said. “We wanted Bourbon Hous to be that experience for guests.”

The centerpiece of the house is its striking entertainment room, which serves as a bar, dining room and central gathering place. Taking up close to half of the entire bottom floor, the large room is equipped with a self-service bar, a dining room table, seating area, two large TVs and a highend stereo system with full surround sound. Designed by Rely Technology, the Sonos sound system uses an iPad to access an extensive digital catalog of music.

“People stay up late here playing DJ and just having a good time with the music,” he said.

One of the TVs is also connected to the Sonos system, making it a great place to watch sporting events. The bar area is stocked with a number of unique bourbons, utilizing an honor system that Luftman said started as an experiment and has gone surprisingly well so far.

“We put some bourbon bottles out and told everyone to try to leave the house with the same amount of bourbon as when they arrived,” he explained, adding that the overwhelming number of guests have honored the system. “It’s been interesting seeing the different bourbons that people leave behind.”

A second common room on the first floor contains a pool table and is home to Bruno, a large bronze statue of a French bulldog that serves as the official Bourbon Hous mascot.

“We found Bruno in a shop in Key West,” Luftman said. “I wanted something that would be a mascot and that people could sit on and take pictures with.”

While the communal spaces at Bourbon Hous are sure to please any group, great care has also been taken with the private spaces. Each bedroom is “like its own hotel room,”

While the central gathering spaces are quite popular, much attention has been paid to the private spaces, as well. Each of the seven bedrooms feels like a high-end hotel room, with its own TV, en suite bathroom, memory foam mattress and individual room lock.

PHOTOS BY MATT HUBER

he said, with its own TV, en suite bathroom, memory foam mattress and individual lock.

When Luftman purchased Bourbon Hous, he also purchased two other buildings on the same block, including a nearby historic home and a small pink building next to Bourbon Hous. He is currently working on plans for the house, which will also be an Airbnb.

“It’s an old house and I’m not going to gut it like I did this one,” he said. “I’m going to try to make it cool in different ways.”

“As of now, his next Airbnb may transport you to the West Coast,” added Sara.

While opening a vacation rental during a pandemic has had its challenges, Luftman has found a market in small groups that want an alternative to a hotel: a place where they can gather with their “pods” and feel like they are on vacation while still being able to socially distance.

“We had one group come in for a family get-together, and we had another group come in who were opening a restaurant, and they were here for almost three weeks,” Luftman said.

“They were really smart because they had a big team, and they [rented this place so they could] be together and use it as a corporate retreat.”

Luftman foresees Bourbon Hous eventually hosting bachelor and bridal parties and welcoming groups visiting for bourbon or horse industry tourism or events at Rupp Arena, among other things. In the meantime, it’s a great option for a safe and socially distanced family gathering or “staycation.”

When it came time to welcome the first guests, Luftman said he turned to his college buddies with whom he has been traveling for so many years.

“Ceremoniously, that same group of friends were the first guests here – and they loved it,” he said.

“I wanted it to be the kind of place where we want to stay,” he continued. “Mission accomplished.” n

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ON OUR TABLE

COLCANNON RECIPES AND PHOTOS BY THERESA STANLEY

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he Colcannon dates back to the mid-1700’s Ireland, where it emerged as a staple combining classic sustenance ingredients: cabbage, leeks and the humble potato. It quickly became a revered and storied dish, the subject of children’s songs and the centerpiece of certain holiday meals. Classically concerned about luck, the Irish often serve the hearty dish at Halloween as a predictor of fortune for the upcoming year, and folding coins or other trinkets into the mash is a tradition akin to finding the baby in a King Cake.

A solid vegetarian side dish with a strong case for being a main dish, the hearty Colcannon features potatoes as the main ingredient, incorporating Irish dairy and green vegetables as well. To please a meat-loving palette, add chopped bacon to the mash and a slice of corned beef brisket on the side.

Enjoy Colcannon – and the good fortune that comes with it – for brunch, dinner and leftovers. Recipe serves four to six.

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Ingredients: • 2 pounds gold potatoes, washed and cook with peels (gold variety is best for mashing) • 8 tablespoons butter, unsalted • 2 leeks, sliced in half, thinly sliced (white and green parts only) • 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced • 2 cups cabbage, shredded • 1 ½ cups milk • ¾ cup heavy cream • 1 scallion, thinly sliced for garnish • 1 teaspoon salt • Salt and pepper to taste

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Method: To a large pot add potatoes, cover with water and add salt.

Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce to medium.

Cook for 20-25 minutes or until a knife easily breaks the flesh.

Drain potatoes, allow to cool for handling, and peel.

To a large skillet or saucepan, melt six tablespoons of butter.

Over medium heat, add leeks and stir often, cooking until soft for about 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook about four more minutes, continuing to stir often. Add half of cabbage and cook until it is wilted, stirring all the while. Add milk and cream, bringing mixture to a simmer. Add peeled potatoes and the remainder of cabbage. Using a potato masher, mash until coarse and mixed well. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Transfer to a large serving bowl, top with remainder of butter (or more, if desired) and scallion.

Pro tip: Three cups of lightly packed, chopped kale (ribs removed) can be substituted for leeks, if preferred. n

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DRINK OF THE MONTH

THE GIBSON RECIPE AND PHOTOS BY THERESA STANLEY

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he Gibson is a classic cocktail that has seen renewed interest recently thanks to “The Queen’s Gambit,” a popular series with Lexington ties. As a Gibson fan, it is good to see.

This simple gin cocktail hits the spot when preferring a savory sip and can even satisfy when you’re feeling slightly hungry.

Because it is the least sweet among the gin varieties, London dry gin is typically preferred in a dry, briny drink like the Gibson. For a slightly more savory cocktail, try the variation, which adds a few drops of brine and a dash of celery bitters to elevate the drink and its complexity.

Suggested pairing: a rousing game of chess.

SMILEY PETE’S DINING GUIDE Craft Beers, Craft Cocktails, Wine Housemade Sausages, Salads, Sandwiches, Entrees Serving the freshest sushi in town, Aqua chefs offer sushi lovers rare flavors and perfectlyexecuted classics. And the Crab Rangoon?

Just try it! Aqua Sushi is made to order in all Malone’s, Harry’s and Drake’s locations.

bluegrasshospitality.com | 859.335.6500

CASUAL = LOCAL

815 Euclid Ave. • Lexington 859.469.9188 www.bearandthebutcher.com

Monday Closed Tues.-Thurs.

4pm-8pm Fri.-Sat. 11am-9pm Sun. 11am-8pm

Since 1948.

Ingredients:

Three Lexington Locations: 201 N. Limestone 859-253-3135 2750 Richmond Rd. 859-268-1666 Express: 125 Southland Dr. 859-313-5300 columbiasteakhouse.com Catering Available

Classic: • 1 ¾ ounces London dry gin • ¾ ounce dry vermouth • Cocktail onion, garnish Variation: • 1 ¾ ounces London dry gin • ¾ ounce dry vermouth • ½ teaspoon cocktail onion brine • Dash of celery bitters • Cocktail onion, garnish

3347 Tates Creek Rd. • 859.335.6500 390 E. Brannon Rd. • 859.447.8411 Text-To-Go • 859.285.0405 www.drakescomeplay.com HAMBURG DRAKE’S COMING IN 2019!

Method: To a mixing glass add ice, gin and vermouth. Stir until cold.

Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass. Garnish with cocktail onion(s). For the variation, add brine and bitters to the mixing glass before stirring. n Home of the mini burger and Aqua sushi, known for signature cocktails and hand-selected wines; Harry’s has something for everyone.

Text-To-Go: 859.940.0301) 859.264.8023 • Text-To-Go: 859.940.0301 3735 Palomar Centre Dr. (Palomar) 859.977.2620 • Text-To-Go: 859.940.4295

Lexington Signature Steakhouse offers prime steaks, seafood, fresh sushi and house favorites in an upscale and relaxed atmosphere.

Taste the tradition!

bluegrasshospitality.com | 859.335.6500

PIZZA & GRINDERS

1590 Leestown Road • Lexington, KY 40511 859.253.2299 • lexingtonmancinos.com

OBC Kitchen is a local, chef-driven restaurant that houses an extremely rare bourbon collection, eclectic craft beer selection and extensive wine list.

3373 Tates Creek Rd. 859.977.2600 obckitchen.com

Craft burgers and cocktails DINNER DINE-IN OR TAKE-OUT 438 S. Ashland Avenue 859-523-2095 thesagerabbit.com

Located inside downtown Lexington’s historic courthouse, Zim’s serves from a menu inspired by the bounty of Kentucky farms.

PHOTO BY THERESA STANLEY

215 W. Main St., Suite 25 • (859) 785-3690 Open 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily www.zimscafe.com

SMILEYPETE.COM || MARCH 2021

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PETE’S PROPERTIES

1413 Ritchie Ct. $201,000

Recent Residential Property Transactions

575 Monticello Blvd. $190,000

649 Buckingham Ln. $200,000 142 Penmoken Park $188,700 3440 Clays Mill Rd. $180,000 624 Halifax Dr. $180,000 40513 2285 Chamblee Ln. $609,000 2240 Carolina Ln. $606,000 2280 Chamblee Ln. $565,000 3924 Palomar Cove Ln. $364,000 3001 Dunnston Ln. $340,000 2225 Valencia Dr. $218,000 40515

40502

421 Cochran Rd. $346,500

4682 Laurelwood Dr. $415,000

238 Henry Clay Blvd. $855,000

3448 Simcoe Ct. $329,900

4725 Windstar Way $410,000

320 Kingsway Dr. $845,000

317 Malabu Pl. $310,000

4173 Bridgemont Ln. $397,000

704 Turf Ct. $772,500

335 Richmond Ave. $120,000

4329 Calais Pl. $386,000

1016 Richmond Rd. $653,000

179 Old Park Ave. $100,000

4693 Carita Woods Way $330,000

432 Queensway Dr. $575,000

3636 Glen Oak Way $325,000

1301 Cooper Dr. $560,000

40508

2360 Hartland Parkside Dr. $284,000

3005 Shirlee Dr. $525,000

338 Woodland Ave. $205,000

4517 Pentlalla Pt. $276,000

416 Dudley Rd. $482,000

48

724 Rose Hurst Way $275,000

2993 Montavesta Rd. $467,000

40503

932 Lauderdale Dr. $253,500

329 Cochran Rd. $450,000

932 Bravington Way $450,000

500 Whitewater Cir. $250,000

1404 Fontaine Rd. $440,000

660 Cindy Blair Way $435,000

1232 Kenesaw Village Dr. $235,000

3049 Windermere Rd. $430,000

3547 Juliann Cir. $310,000

883 Fairhaven Dr. $203,000

504 Culpepper Rd. $413,500

937 Witthuhn Way $305,000

3449 Featheridge Dr. $200,000

401 Culpepper Rd. $362,000

462 Osprey Cir. $241,000

4621 Hartland Pkwy. .$177,500

369 Colony Blvd. $350,000

620 Halifax Dr. $215,000

200 Jon Allen Ln. $174,900 n

BIGGEST MOVER: 238 Henry Clay Blvd. $855,000 Recent arm’s length residential sales for this magazine’s distribution area. Information compiled by Fayette County Property Valuation Administrator David O’Neill. For more information on any of these properties, or others, please visit www.fayettepva.com.

JULY 2018 || SOUTHSIDERMAGAZINE.COM

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Bluegrass

Sotheby s INTERNATIONAL REALTY

1 9 9 9 R i c h m o n d R d . , S t e 4 0 0 • L e x i n g t o n , K Y 4 0 5 0 2 • t 8 5 9 -2 6 8 - 0 0 9 9 • f 8 5 9 -2 6 8 - 0 0 9 8 • w w w. b g s i r. c o m

The Penthouses at City Center Pricing Available on Request

447 Henry Clay Blvd. $365,000

460 N. Broadway $439,900

Whitney Durham 859.983.9500

Meredith Lane 859.539.9169

Daniel Porter 270.339.8776 Gwen Matthews 859.608.3471

5768 Tates Creek Road $699,000

321 Culpepper Road $1,039,000

1125 Bridlewood Ln. $2,100,000

Whitney Durham 859.983.9500

Whitney Durham 859.983.9500

Whitney Durham 859.983.9500

Representing fine homes in ALL price ranges.

Bluegrass

250 Martin Luther King Blvd. #118

$135,000

Great location between the UK campus and downtown Lexington! 1 BR/1 BA with high ceilings, hardwood floors, brand new tile shower, walk in closet and washer/dryer. Move in ready! Private garage parking.

230 Legacy Dr., Nicholasville

$1,195,000

Legacy Estates! Stylishly decorated and beautifully constructed home located on a 1 acre private lot in Jessamine Co.! 5 BRs/4 full + 3 half BAs, 8,610 sq. ft., 10’ and 20’ ceilings, Geothermal HVAC, finished basement with bar and kitchen, 3-car garage.

*The House at Rueil by Edouard Manet, used with permission. Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty Logo are service marks licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC and used with permission. Bluegrass RE, LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. Any services or products provided by independently owned and operated franchisees are not provided by, affiliated with or related to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC nor any of its affiliated companies.

Sotheby s INTERNATIONAL REALTY

100 Wapping St., Frankfort

$225,000

Charming cottage on the Kentucky River in downtown Frankfort! Perfect as a weekend getaway spot, an Airbnb, or office. office overlooking the river! Rebuilt in 2016 from the studs in, including roof. 2 floors, 1 BR/ 2 BAs, 740 sq. ft. Screened porch and upper level deck.

3093 Bobwhite Trail

$1,199,000

Ashford Oaks! Gorgeous home featuring 4 BRs/4.5 BAs, and 4,900 sq. ft. of custom living space.

Hardwood floors, high ceilings, family room with home theater system and heated salt water pool! Ashford Oaks is adjacent to Greenbrier Country Club.

333 S. Upper St. #102

103 S. Limestone #1030

$1.595,000

Exclusivity and a sensational experience in the Penthouses at City Center. Enter through a private lobby and up to a 2,586 sq. ft., 2BR/ 2.5 BAs condo w/ spectacular features. Floor-to-ceiling glass, modern chef’s kitchen, en-suite bathroom w/ porcelain showers.

Becky Reinhold, Principal Broker cell 859.338.1838 • office 859.268.0099 • www.bgsir.com • becky@bgsir.com

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$395,900

1818 charm meets modern architecture in this 3-story fully refurbished downtown condo. 1,847 sq. ft., 3 BR/ 2.5 BAs, exposed brick and ceiling rafters, updated kitchen with new appliances, charming outdoor enced yard, reserved parking behind home.

515 S. Mill St.

$899,000

Historic South Hill home built in 1814 with an extensive renovation around 2006. Blend of historic with elite modern scale amenities. High ceilings, some of the original hardwood floors, lovely built-ins and moldings.

Private, fenced yard landscaped by Henkel-Denmark.

103 S. Limestone #1210

$3,660,000

Experience the ultimate, the penthouse created for the sophisticated buyer who values the epitome of fine living. Captivating artistic style and an oversized terrace that is unmatched for even more entertaining.

2 BRs/2.5 BAs, 5,269 sq. ft. A must see!

*The House at Rueil by Edouard Manet, used with permission. Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty Logo are service marks licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC and used with permission. Bluegrass RE, LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. Any services or products provided by independently owned and operated franchisees are not provided by, affiliated with or related to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC nor any of its affiliated companies.

2/23/21 5:15 PM

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