Avalon restaurant property sold, will reopen with new theme

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - New life is coming to the site of a Highlands restaurant that shut down last summer.

After Avalon unexpectedly closed all that was left behind was a sign that the restaurant was closing due to unforeseen circumstances. It was learned Thursday that property has been sold to attorneys Shawn and Vanessa Cantley, the owners of The Silver Dollar on Frankfort Avenue in the Clifton neighborhood.

The Cantleys plan to transform the building into a California beach inspired restaurant with garage doors opening right onto Bardstown Road. The food offering will be inspired by Mexican street food and there will be a grocery and bakery in the former Luna shop next door.

The sale price of the property was nearly $1.8 million. The entire Avalon property will be gutted.

The new restaurant will be called El Camino and is inspired by Cantley's roots.

"I grew up in southern California with the surf culture and it just seemed perfect. I wanted to bring that food to Louisville," he said.

Cantley moved to Louisville to attend law school, fell in love, and has lived here for the past 12 years.

He along with his business partner plan to open later this summer after traveling back to California to get new ideas.

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