Former Taco Punk space to become a “chicken-themed restaurant”: Four months after a pair of real estate investors with local ties bought the Empire Theater Building — former home of Taco Punk — in NuLu, renovation work is ongoing. And according to those doing the work, the historic building is slated to be the home of a new “chicken-themed restaurant” from Feast BBQ owner Ryan Rogers, whose second location is a few blocks east on Market Street. The primetime pork purveyor is getting in the hot chicken game, IL has learned, although Rogers declined to comment through a spokesperson. Scott Howe, a commercial real estate broker with Gant Hill & Associates and co-owner of Empire with his wife, Mo McKnight Howe, and Louisville native Patrick Ley, also declined comment. Hot chicken, a Nashville original, has migrated to Louisville lately, with two spots — Joella’s Hot Chicken on Frankfort Avenue and Joe & Larry’s Chicken Shack in Butchertown — announcing in the past few months. —SG
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