North Lexington restaurant closing after just four months, but it’s not COVID related
A Lexington restaurateur who relaunched her place just fourmonths ago announced this week she will have to step away from it soon.
Robbie Morgan opened the Lexington branch of Louisville chain J. Gumbo’s in 2018 but closed temporarily during the pandemic before reopening her North Limestone restaurant in June rebranded as The Belt Line.
Now she is putting it up for sale but it doesn’t have anything to do with COVID: Morgan and her ER nurse husband, Chad Leet, are expecting a baby in December.
“And so, it is with many mixed emotions, that I have decided to sell/close The Belt Line. Running a small restaurant and having a new baby is not the right combination for my family, at this time. I am incredibly proud of what the staff and I have accomplished over these three years and I wish the timing were different but alas, it is not,” Morgan said in a post on The Belt Line’s Facebook page.
She said that she is looking for a buyer “who wants to pick up where I left off and make this thing the success it can be.”
The restaurant has focused on Gulf Coast favorites and Creole classics.
The last day of service will be Oct. 13, when The Belt Line will have a special celebratory dinner by Chef Daniel Boone Holeman.
Morgan, who also created the popular annual Crave + Food Music Festival, said she will post where the restaurant’s staff will be heading so fans can follow them to new restaurants.
“As for me,” Morgan said in the post, “I have a beautiful thing about to happen in my life and while I will miss being in this business, seeing the customers and building a family with staff, my days are soon to be filled with the rewards and challenges of raising a decent human being in this world. I am truly grateful for all of it.”
