O’Charley’s Richmond Road closed restaurant demolished but two new dining spots coming
Another of Lexington’s O’Charley’s restaurants is officially gone.
The location at 2895 Richmond Rd. is being demolished to make way for a new building. The restaurant closed in 2020 and has been empty ever since. Today there is only one open O’Charley’s location in Lexington at 2099 Harrodsburg Rd.
Now, two new buildings will be going up for two new franchises at the old Richmond Road spot. What’s going in?
According to a building permits filed with the city, one building will be Lexington’s second 7Brew coffee drive-thru, while the other will also be the second local location of a chain, but this time a restaurant — Slim Chickens restaurant.
7Brew, the Arkansas-based coffee chain is building its first Kentucky location at 4265 Harrodsburg Rd. That location is expected to open later this year.
The 2895 Richmond Road location will be of similar size, about 510 square feet.
Next door to 7Brew will be a 3,211-square-foot new building for a second Lexington location of Slim Chickens at 2897 Richmond Rd., according to another building permit filed with the city.
7 Brew coffee locations, menu
According to the chain, 7 Brew opened its first kiosk in Rogers, Ark., and now has more than 45 throughout Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Texas, Indiana, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina.
The brand focuses on speed, quality products, genuine connection and kindness, according to a spokesperson. The 7 Brew menu offers a variety of iced and hot coffee beverages, from its fan-favorite Blondie to the Triple 7, which features white chocolate and Irish cream and six shots of espresso.
They also serve a selection of chillers, shakes, teas, smoothies, infused sparkling waters and energy drinks. And there’s a kids’ menu too. Seasonal beverage options are also available each month, and 7 Brew fans can get these beloved drinks year-round by ordering from the ‘secret drink’ menu.
Besides the many excellent locally owned coffee shops, Lexington also is getting several other new drive-thru coffee chains including Dutch Bros, Scooter’s Coffee, and a second Human Bean is coming to Richmond Road as well.
Slim Chickens Kentucky locations, menu
Like 7Brew, Slim Chickens is based in Arkansas. Known for juicy chicken tenders and wings, in December, the chain announced it is opening its first Lexington location at 525 Waller Ave. across from St. Joseph Hospital, just off Broadway, later this spring.
Slim Chickens is a fast-casual “better chicken” leader with dine-in and drive-thru service.
Food is cooked to order, and the menu includes chicken tenders, fresh salads, sandwiches, chicken and waffles, chicken wings and unique side items, alongside 17 house-made dipping sauces, including gravy. Besides chicken, the menu includes a rotating lineup of desserts in jars, fried pies and cookies.
There are more than 180 Slim Chickens locations open, including five in Kentucky, and 1,000 restaurants in development. There is one in Ashland, Pikeville and Somerset and two in Bowling Green.
The company announced plans earlier this year to add 29 locations throughout Kentucky in partnership with franchisee Harold Wallace and Houchens Food Group. Houchens Food Group operates more than 300 retail grocery, convenience, and neighborhood market stores across 14 states.
The group is set to open four more in Kentucky in 2023. Harold Wallace has spearheaded Slim Chickens’ push into the Nashville market, according to the chain. Wallace and Houchens are partnering to develop more locations across Kentucky.