Lexington restaurant scene sees some major changes. Here's what to know

Central Kentucky’s food and drink landscape is shifting with new openings, ownership changes and a notable sale. From a returning pizza chain to a bakery rescued from an uncertain future, here’s a roundup of the latest developments.

• Mellow Mushroom plans to reopen in the Hamburg area of Lexington by the end of the year, marking a return after the pizza chain closed both its previous Lexington locations in 2018 and 2022.
• Franchisees John and Whitney Bowling say the Hamburg site will be followed by expansions into Richmond and London, with a second Lexington storefront also being evaluated.
• Bluegrass Baking Company has been sold to Jasen and Kellie Fontaine after an earlier January sale fell through, ending 35 years of ownership by founders Jim and Francine Betts.
• Jasen Fontaine will continue managing two boutique hotels — the Aldenberg Hotel in Versailles and the Ashberg Hotel in Frankfort — while running the bakery at 3101 Clays Mill Road, with the menu and hours staying the same.
• Country Boy Brewing is opening its fourth taproom and restaurant in The Commons entertainment district off Leestown Road, with seating for more than 150 people and 24 beer taps.
• The new Country Boy location will sit between the RD1 Spirits Distillery tasting room and OBC Kitchen from Bluegrass Hospitality Group, with an opening expected in September.
• The Waterfront Grille & Gathering in Winchester is listed for sale at $531,500 by owners Deb Garrison and John Tucker, who are retiring to focus on family and other projects.
• Located at 220 Athens Boonesboro Road on the Kentucky River, the venue features indoor-outdoor dining, a full bar and food prepared on Himalayan salt blocks, having survived floods and an ice storm since the owners bought it in 2019.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.