It’s not all closings, Lexington restaurants are expanding. What’s coming and where
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Smashing Tomato plans a second Lexington site in Masterson Station, opening in June.
- Old School Coffee adds a Hamburg spot; Cold Stone in Turner Commons; Starbucks north side.
- Two 7 Brew drive-thru kiosks slated for Clays Mill Rd and Remington Way.
Despite the spate of recent restaurant closures, Lexington’s dining scene is seeing some growth.
Several businesses are adding new locations in other areas of Fayette County. Here are some expansions that are coming soon to neighborhoods near you.
Smashing Tomato
Smashing Tomato, a quick-service pizza and pasta restaurant from the creator of Crust, Bella Notte and Bella Cafe, is hoping to open a third Lexington location.
Restaurateur Kuni Toyoda said he plans to open another Smashing Tomato at 112 Lucille Drive in the Masterson Station area. He’s aiming to have it open in June.
The restaurant will go into the former Biscuit Belly location, which closed in October 2025 after two years.
Smashing Tomato, with locations in Hamburg and near Fayette Mall, is known for its wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas made with fresh ingredients. The restaurant’s menu also has soups, salads and pastas, and the spot serves wine and beer.
Old School Coffee
Old School Coffee is adding a fourth location in Hamburg. The popular Lexington coffee shop already has its main hub downtown at historic Dudley Square on Mill and Maxwell, one in the Lansdowne Shopping Center at 3373 Tates Creek Road and a kiosk in Fayette Mall.
Now, one is coming to 2304 Sir Barton Way, near Ted’s Montana Grill, probably opening in early summer.
Old School Coffee’s drinks menu includes lattes, specialty and traditional teas and coffee, hot chocolate and more.
Cold Stone Creamery
Cold Stone Creamery is adding a third location in the new Turner Commons development, just off Leestown Road.
The new location will be at 120 Turner Commons Way, Suite 110, in a building of Airbnb short-term rentals.
According to a spokesperson for the development, the Airbnb units are scheduled to open by mid-April, with Cold Stone opening in late spring.
Starbucks
Lexington’s north side is about to get more caffeinated: A new Starbucks coffee shop is set to open soon at 255 W. New Circle Road.
The spot is a former restaurant that’s been many things over the years, including most recently Ho-Ho Chinese Express.
7 Brew
A new 7 Brew is coming to the former First Security National Bank property at 1617 Clays Mill Road. The existing building is slated to be demolished for a pre-fabricated building to be placed on site.
The drive-thru coffee kiosk will have two lanes, entering and exiting from McCubbing Drive, with no access to Clays Mill or Harrodsburg Road.
Another new 7 Brew is going up at 2349 Remington Way, in front of the new Publix off of Citation Boulevard.
