Lexington pizza restaurant for sale after 51 years. What’s next for Joe Bologna’s?
One of Lexington’s oldest restaurants is facing a big change.
Joe Bologna, who will turn 79 in April, has decided to sell his restaurant after more than 50 years.
“It’s time to retire,” Bologna said. “It’s the end of my lease, and although I have an option to stay another five years, I don’t want to work into my 80s.”
He notified Joe Bologna’s employees of his plans to seek a buyer but said that if he doesn’t find the right person he would instead close the restaurant by Aug. 1.
One of the employee’s posted a photo of the notice on social media, prompting concern from longtime patrons.
Bologna said this week that he didn’t mean for that to happen and wanted to reassure the customers that the popular pizza, breadsticks, soups, desserts and Italian menu favorites that Joe Bologna’s is known for will be safe.
“I plan on selling to someone who will keep it the way it is,” he said. He said he’s had several people contact him about buying Joe B’s and plans on sitting down with his accountant to decide on the best offer soon.
In March 2023, he celebrated 50 years in business on Maxwell Street but not always in the same historic building at 120 W. Maxwell with stained glass windows that so many University of Kentucky students (and Wildcats basketball players) remember.
“When you’re young and starting our first business — I always loved working in food — you don’t think you’re going to be here 50 years later,” Bologna said last year.
This story was originally published March 7, 2024 at 10:42 AM.
