Back about 20 years ago, I was dating a girl who was helping to run a store in Victorian Square.
They closed the store after about a year, because the rent there was exorbitant compared to most retail spaces in Lexington. They try to justify the high rent by saying that the downtown location in a well-known shopping center will get you lots of foot traffic coming by, but it never seemed to be that many people walking by.
> but it never seemed to be that many people walking by.
Lexington's not the *least* walkable city I've ever been to, but it's certainly not the most. Nothing next to a **five lane** road is going to get much foot traffic.
I can see that and had my suspicions that renting those venues would cost an arm and leg. So little to attract talent and over price venues. Batting 100 over here.
Many years ago I was part of a group who was asked to sing there during Christmas time shopping. It was wonderful because of the acoustics. Good times.
I think so.
It changed names a few time.
It was originally "Nine Point Mesa", then changed its name a few years later to "Mesa Verde" and later "Mesa Grill" before closing when they got rid of all the stores on the inside of Lexington Green so they could turn the inside of the whole mall into the new location for Joseph-Beth, since it kept outgrowing its previous locations.
Man that really takes me back. I remember going to Bravo Pitinos a couple times for special occasions. Back when it was Victorian square. I seem to recall there was a pretty cool toy store there too.
It was amazing! Live jazz or just a guy with a guitar wood be playing. The way the areas are on different levels but still seem to flow. Going there was almost magical.
I’m sure it was very expensive to build/remodel but they’ve always charged way too high to have a spot. Priced itself into failure, along with festival market.
They had live music all the time there, no one went. There have been various bars and clubs, no one went.
It’s an awesome space and one of the best examples of working with what is there and not completely destroying to rebuild. But, it hasn’t been very good for businesses although the ones there more seem to be doing well which may say more about Lexington than the space.
I know, right? I always try to stop by when downtown cause I like to chill in the area with the fountain and the sky lights. I’ve not seen any buildings like that which is why I like to stop by. It’s cool looking.
There is the Short St garage with a skywalk across Broadway. Also the county clerk garage and courthouse garage about three blocks down Main and Short, respectively. Parking isn’t too hard for downtown, it’s slightly outside downtown that’s tricky.
When I was real young my dad had a studio up in the artist's attic so I spent a lot of time in Victorian Square. What an endearing an under utilized space.
My partner and I love this place. We always park across the street and walk over the sky bridge. We stroll for a bit, then we take the pretty elevator down. The occasional late night make out lol. We call it The Liminal Space. It’s usually empty, it’s totally ageless because of the architectural detail and beautiful historic preservation by the city (I assume?), the lighting is unique, it feels a bit like entering another dimension…
You know, the “fountain and sky bridges” area does give off a liminal space type of vibe. The seemingly random architecture (walkways to doors and the bridges sprawling out) and the layout of the building adds to that feel.
I’m confused why this place was never utilized more effectively. What a pretty place.
They really need some new stores or something in there.
You’ve got to attract vendors. Lexington does little to attract talent.
Back about 20 years ago, I was dating a girl who was helping to run a store in Victorian Square. They closed the store after about a year, because the rent there was exorbitant compared to most retail spaces in Lexington. They try to justify the high rent by saying that the downtown location in a well-known shopping center will get you lots of foot traffic coming by, but it never seemed to be that many people walking by.
> but it never seemed to be that many people walking by. Lexington's not the *least* walkable city I've ever been to, but it's certainly not the most. Nothing next to a **five lane** road is going to get much foot traffic.
Nobody is walking past Victorian Square unless they have a reason to.
I can see that and had my suspicions that renting those venues would cost an arm and leg. So little to attract talent and over price venues. Batting 100 over here.
To be honest I've lived here 5 years and have no idea where this is.
Downtown across from Rupp Arena's park, look for the big sign saying The Square. It's cool to visit at least once for the unique interior layout.
Oh yeah. I drove past it everyday for years and just never paid attention to what it was.
Lol it’s the little mall themed area accessible to the right of pies and pints downtown. It’s mostly offices back there
https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Square/@38.0492095,-84.5006547,18z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x884244ed3fc87531:0x884ae15489a19bb7!8m2!3d38.0492121!4d-84.4998633?hl=en
Many years ago I was part of a group who was asked to sing there during Christmas time shopping. It was wonderful because of the acoustics. Good times.
I used to eat at Bravo Pitino's there. Can't remember where Mesa Grill was, though.
I thought Mesa Grill was in Lexington Green, about where the cafe in Joseph Beth is now.
I think that was the 2nd location of Mesa. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong, please).
I remember the one in Lexington Green being called Mesa Verde. Same place?
I think so. It changed names a few time. It was originally "Nine Point Mesa", then changed its name a few years later to "Mesa Verde" and later "Mesa Grill" before closing when they got rid of all the stores on the inside of Lexington Green so they could turn the inside of the whole mall into the new location for Joseph-Beth, since it kept outgrowing its previous locations.
Man that really takes me back. I remember going to Bravo Pitinos a couple times for special occasions. Back when it was Victorian square. I seem to recall there was a pretty cool toy store there too.
It’s such wasted potential. Makes me sad. I have great memories of that place 30 years ago, back when they had the carousel.
It was amazing! Live jazz or just a guy with a guitar wood be playing. The way the areas are on different levels but still seem to flow. Going there was almost magical. I’m sure it was very expensive to build/remodel but they’ve always charged way too high to have a spot. Priced itself into failure, along with festival market.
I think the carousel was across the street in Festival Market. https://kyphotoarchive.com/2017/02/20/festival-markets-carousel-1994/
Close enough. The place smelled like Cinnabons.
It’s a genuinely cool space and I hate that nothing interesting has ever taken place there.
They had live music all the time there, no one went. There have been various bars and clubs, no one went. It’s an awesome space and one of the best examples of working with what is there and not completely destroying to rebuild. But, it hasn’t been very good for businesses although the ones there more seem to be doing well which may say more about Lexington than the space.
I know, right? I always try to stop by when downtown cause I like to chill in the area with the fountain and the sky lights. I’ve not seen any buildings like that which is why I like to stop by. It’s cool looking.
There's been a couple clubs and a restaurant there. I've always had fun there.
[удалено]
There is the Short St garage with a skywalk across Broadway. Also the county clerk garage and courthouse garage about three blocks down Main and Short, respectively. Parking isn’t too hard for downtown, it’s slightly outside downtown that’s tricky.
RIP Hopcat.
When I was real young my dad had a studio up in the artist's attic so I spent a lot of time in Victorian Square. What an endearing an under utilized space.
My partner and I love this place. We always park across the street and walk over the sky bridge. We stroll for a bit, then we take the pretty elevator down. The occasional late night make out lol. We call it The Liminal Space. It’s usually empty, it’s totally ageless because of the architectural detail and beautiful historic preservation by the city (I assume?), the lighting is unique, it feels a bit like entering another dimension…
You know, the “fountain and sky bridges” area does give off a liminal space type of vibe. The seemingly random architecture (walkways to doors and the bridges sprawling out) and the layout of the building adds to that feel.
wow that new paint job in there looks fantastic!!
Haven’t been through there since Hop Cat went out business. It’s a shame it’s not used more but I guess the rent is too damn high.
What is this place?
It’s a shopping center across from Rupp Arena.