2025 may be winding down, but activity and growth in ShelbyKY continue to ratchet upwards. Before we turn the calendar to 2026, let’s look back on a great year for Shelby County, Kentucky, one that kick-started momentum for visitors and residents that will continue to be seen for many years to come.
WHAT OPENED?
Chi-Pie: In the mood for Chicago-style deep dish pizza? Save yourself the five-hour drive to the Windy City and stay in ShelbyKY instead. Chi-Pie is located at 310 3rd Street - just north of downtown Simpsonville. This delicious spot opened in September and immediately jumped towards the top of people’s favorite places to eat in the area. If deep dish isn’t your thing, fear not, there are thinner styles available as well, along with pasta, soups, salads and more.
Andale Mexican Restaurant: The Outlet Shoppes at the Bluegrass welcomed its newest restaurant in June with the opening of Andale. Placed next to the Abercrombie & Fitch store, this has been a welcome addition to the shopping scene. Perhaps the biggest asset Andale possesses is their breakfast menu, allowing visitors to try something new if they’re not in the mood for a lunch or dinner type of meal. The tres leches pancakes and cazuelita are of particular interest to folks.
Parlay Sports Bar: Shelbyville’s historic Main Street welcomed its newest restaurant back in May. You could walk into Parlay, build a parlay for the game you’re coming to watch, cash that bet, and enjoy some excellent bar food and drinks along the way. This has been a great spot to visit on any night, but coming in when football’s on adds to an already great atmosphere. With postseason football on the way, be sure to check it out during a gameday this January.
10:31 Nutrition: The newest of the new establishments, this health-focused small business opened in November. It’s very easy to get to, just a few minutes off I-64, and your body will be happy that you stopped in. Whether it’s a protein shake, tea, smoothie, or a yummy snack, everything served here is produced for the sake of wellness. Physically or mentally, there’s a lot of good stuff here that’s already helped hundreds of customers.
Stew-Brew Coffee: Start your morning off with coffee on wheels to get the boost you need. On the verge of its first anniversary, Stew-Brew has been at 24 Main Street in Shelbyville since January. The results speak for themselves with a 4.8 rating on Google as many coffee-enthusiasts have made this part of their routine now. Fast service, a convenient location and great drinks have been a reliable combination for this family-owned operation.
Protein Hub: Opened in July, Protein Hub is home to some of the most aesthetically-pleasing drinks you could ever find. The fun colors instantly make an impression and the taste matches that standard. The post-drink experience delivers, too, with your body feeling great thanks to the nutrients packed into every beverage. The company tagline is “for the health of it” for good reason. You can find them off Boone Station Road and Summit Drive in Shelbyville.
WHAT'S UNDER CONSTRUCTION?
The Lot: The county’s first space dedicated exclusively to food trucks is on the way. On May 25, plans were announced for this unique site that will be housed on 7th Street. When you’re not eating from the delicious trucks on site, you’ll be able to play cornhole or jenga, enjoy a nice fire, and enjoy on-site music. Interested truck vendors can reserve their space here.
Goodwood Brewing & Spirits: On September 12, ground was broken on the site that will be Goodwood’s fifth location in Kentucky - joining their Owensboro, Louisville, Frankfort and Lexington lineup. Goodwood has developed a popular following among the state with superb craft beer and immaculate food. The restaurant will be located at 420 Watson Way in Saddlebred Point. It’s expected to officially open in 2026.
IJW Distillery: After acquiring over 200 acres of land off Zaring Mill Road in 2022, construction crews have been hard at work this year on what will be the site of a distillery plus bottling and storage facilities. This expanded development will continue IJW’s intentionally quiet ascent in the industry and add the latest chapter to ShelbyKY being Your Bourbon Destination®.
Perfect Fifth Distillery: Waddy will be the site for this single malt Scotch distillery spanning 170 acres. Founder Karl Schoen created Perfect Fifth after determining there was a lack of quality Scotch in America. Since then, they’ve explored all of Scotland for the best whiskey. The time has come now for them to produce this exceptional quality here in the States, and it will soon be crafted right here in ShelbyKY.
If you’re ready to explore one of the newly-opened businesses, or counting down the days until a facility under construction is ready for visitors, you can plan your trip to ShelbyKY with our visitor guide. It's free and contains wonderful information about the many things to do in ShelbyKY. Click here to request a visitor guide or download a digital copy.
But whether it’s a newly-opened business or a longstanding tradition, 2025 has undoubtedly been productive for ShelbyKY. Cheers to a successful year and more successful developments in 2026.
