LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Tourism and recreation are picking back up in the Commonwealth, and the owners of Billy’s Chili inside Logan Street Market expect big things for 2022.
What You Need To Know
- Tourism is making a triumphant rebound in Kentucky
- All major pre-pandemic attractions are returning to Louisville this year, including multiple music festivals
- The Louisville Bats kicked off their season Tuesday, giving local businesses a welcome boost
- Owners of Billy’s Chili have already seen an increase in tourists dining in Logan Street Market
Undoubtedly, 2022 is shaping up to be a very happening year in Louisville and Melinda Leach is here for it. Leach is one-half of “Billy’s Chili and Sandwich,” found inside Logan Street Market.
“Every time there is something happening at the Convention Center or really anything going on downtown, we get flooded,” Leach said.
Flooded with business. She and her husband, the namesake of “Billy’s,” opened their sandwich stand three years ago. It was momentous for the husband and wife business partners and former wedding photographers.
“We did that for about 20 years and then sold all of our camera gear and started this business,” Leach explained.
Logan Street Market is basically a hub of tourists and locals mingling before and after events, whether it’s a concert or comedian at The Brown Theatre, a Lou City FC soccer match or, as of Tuesday, a Louisville Bats game.
Leach said she’s expecting to see more and more Bats Hats round her corner of Logan.
“And especially here, we host events here almost every single week. Last week was our annual chili cookoff, and we sold more tickets than we ever had before, so events are back and people are ready to do things,” Leach said.
The owners of Billy’s Chili are hoping for big things in 2022 and big things are on the way, according to Rose Caple of Louisville Visitor Center downtown.
“Yes, [Tuesday] kicks off the Louisville Bats season. They are at home all the way through Sunday. The Kentucky Shakespeare in the Park kicks off on the 8th... Music festivals are coming up [as well],” Caple said.
And that’s not even mentioning Thunder Over Louisville and Derby Week, which only gets us through May. There’s a lot happening in Kentucky this summer and beyond.
Just on Tuesday, there were two major entertainment announcements with the return of the music festival Bourbon and Beyond and comedian Dave Chappelle announcing a two-night stint later this month. Those alone are examples of events certain to pull visitors from across the country.
Melinda Leach and her husband Billy will take it, especially after their recent expansion and collaboration with Batter Bakery.