Louisville Originals

Who runs the Louisville Originals association? And how can we encourage them to add some of our newer local restaurants? I love the current members, but LO gift cards are a mainstay of my birthday and Christmas wish lists, and I'd love to be able to try newer places with them.

[Robin Garr]

Talk to Andrew Hutto at Baxter Station, Jeff. One issue for Louisville Originals, as I recall it, is that they really want to see a one-year track record before a new place is eligible for membership.

One issue for Louisville Originals, as I recall it, is that they really want to see a one-year track record before a new place is eligible for membership.

If that is the case, then places like Coal's, Varanese, Havana Rumba, Zaytun, Difabio Casapella, and more are prime candidates, IMO.

DD

Could be that the restaurants do not want to be part of the organization. It works for some and not others.

[Robin Garr]

Could be that the restaurants do not want to be part of the organization. It works for some and not others.

That would be my guess ...

by Jeff Cavanaugh » Wed May 16, 2012 2:14 pm
Who runs the Louisville Originals association? And how can we encourage them to add some of our newer local restaurants? I love the current members, but LO gift cards are a mainstay of my birthday and Christmas wish lists, and I'd love to be able to try newer places with them.

If you would like to see your favorite restaurants join Louisville Originals, the best thing to do is let the individual restaurant know. We are always open to new restaurants joining, but we have found that it doesn't do much good to approach uninterested restaurants. I too would like to see some of the newer restaurants join the group.

The group is run by the owners and management of the member restaurants. There is no paid board that runs it. Some of us volunteer our time and meet twice a month. It works for some restaurants and not others. I find as a member that the hardest part of being in the program is keeping new staff trained on how it works. But for me the benefits greatly outweigh any minor irritations. Restaurants also now receive quarterly reports so that we can closely monitor just what the group does for us. I know that for Sweet Surrender, joining Louisville Originals really helped business.

The application is easy and on the website. The requirements as listed there:
* Must be independently owned and operated (No more than 6 locations).
* Must be open at least one year.
* Must derive at least 65% of its revenue from table service food sales.
* Must be approved for membership by a majority vote of the Louisville Originals board of directors on behalf of the membership.
* Must pay a one time $250 fee when applying for membership (this fee is refundable if the above requirements are not met).
* Must participate in the Louisville Originals web certificate program, reward card program and gift card program.
* Must attend at least six general membership meetings per year.
* Restaurant must be within 15 miles of downtown Louisville, KY

Talk to Andrew Hutto at Baxter Station, Jeff.

Also, as a head's up, although Baxter Station is still a participating restaurant, Andrew is no longer on the Board. I have been on the Board for about a year now and am happy to answer any questions that I can regarding the program.