Heine's on Frankfort closed for renovations next week

[Robin Garr]

They're expanding into the space just vacated by Fat Jimmy's, doubling the size of the coffee shop and, we assume, sprucing it up a bit, although I sure hope they don't lose (or Vint-ify) the lovable old hippie-dippy atmosphere.

s-Heines040514.jpg

[Robin Garr]

This is funny and kind of cool: Heine's and Fat Jimmy's have brown paper taped over the windows this morning, but the baristas are out front (under the awnings) handing out FREE coffee to desperate passers-by. Meanwhile, many of the "regulars" found refugee status at Vint on Frankfort this morning, and I expect Blue Dog will also see an influx when it resumes morning hours on Wednesday.

Are you sure they're expanding into the Fat Jimmy's space? I've seen the plans (granted they're from February) and there's nothing on them indicating that scale of a project. Plus they're reopening this weekend and that type of project will take far longer than that.

[Robin Garr]

Are you sure they're expanding into the Fat Jimmy's space? I've seen the plans (granted they're from February) and there's nothing on them indicating that scale of a project. Plus they're reopening this weekend and that type of project will take far longer than that.

Mike, nobody told me anything, but Fat Jimmy's moved out coincidentally, and both spaces are brown-papered this morning. It all looks coordinated, and the Heine's baristas are out front of Fat Jimmy's and appeared to be getting their refills from inside.

Bottom line, it's interesting that Heine's hasn't sent out anything on this, and I guess more will be revealed next week!

[Robin Garr]

Thinking back on it, the baristas did tell us a couple of weeks ago that they are "expanding," not just "renovating."

I drove by Bardstown/Eastern yesterday and there is brown paper in Heine's windows there also. I'm really surprised that they closed that location, even with the other Bardstown Road stores. It was very busy every time I stopped in there.

Maybe Comfy Cow made them an offer they couldn't refuse? I wouldn't be very happy if I owned one of the places across the street.

[Robin Garr]

Maybe Comfy Cow made them an offer they couldn't refuse? I wouldn't be very happy if I owned one of the places across the street.

Good questions, although frankly I often wondered if it made sense for Heine's to have three locations as close together as Longest, Eastern Parkway and Douglass. On the other hand, it's the Highlands.

Comfy Cow's arrival certainly has to be alarming for its fro-yo neighbors, although their product is so completely different, it's almost as if they aren't competing in the same niche.

Robin,

Unless something has changed from a Friday meeting I was involved in...they are not expanding. But, a new business coming to Frankfort Ave.

[Robin Garr]

Robin,

Unless something has changed from a Friday meeting I was involved in...they are not expanding. But, a new business coming to Frankfort Ave.

Thanks, Scott! That sure differs from what we were told, but what do the baristas know? Funny coincidence, anyway, that both shops closed at the same time and both put up brown paper at the same time.

I'm not saying I don't believe you, though! It's just puzzling.

Did you hear what the new business coming in to Fat Jimmy's might be?

Robin,

I met with the new owners Thursday. At this time I have been asked to not say what is going in...but, I look forward to it!

Since it's not public knowledge, I say we have a friendly hotbytes contest consisting of wild speculation.

I'll stake my claim for CRONUTS!

Speaking of cronuts, the original shop in New York remained closed today because of a little problem with rodents.

[Robin Garr]

I finally got confirmation from a member of Heine's management: The coffee shop is renovating, not expanding. The arrival of the secretive new tenant in the old Fat Jimmy's place is just a coincidence.