Lynn's owner says right buyer, health issues delayed sale

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - An iconic Louisville Restaurant has officially sold to an out of town restaurant group.

The food at Lynn's Paradise Cafe and its quirky atmosphere brought national attention and even Iron Chefs like Bobby Flay to the Original Highlands neighborhood. Owner Lynn Winter said the sale closed Wednesday.

Why did her neighbors have to see the property sit vacant for so long? Winter said it was two reasons: She wanted to find the right owners and she's been sick.

Moving trucks were in the parking lot Wednesday as the loss of a popular Louisville landmark was finally realized.

MORE: Paradise Lost: Lynn Winter sells building that housed popular restaurant

"It's bittersweet," Winter said with tears in her eyes, "I'm about to cry."

Winter was back in Louisville Wednesday, but not for long.

"We're packing up Lynn's," she said, "I sold the building."

From her trademark quirky ugly lamps, to her beloved dog painting and orange juice machine, it's all going.

Winter won't disclose the sale price or what restaurant will move into the building. She wants the new buyer to say.

"I've been under a gag order so I couldn't talk about it," she said.

The iconic restaurant that lasted 22 years in two neighborhoods abruptly closed in January of 2013, a day after employees publicly complained about working conditions. It came as a shock to the community. The three year vacancy led other businesses to close due to the loss of foot traffic.

Winter said she had to find the right restaurant group to move into the spot.

"We were doing over 300,000 people a year so with a property that can do that much," she said, "you want to get someone who knows restaurants, that's going to stay and that's got capital."

Winter also had oral surgery and several medical scares.

"I had a heart attack and my health declined while we were having our biggest year," she said.

Known for food and fun, Lynn's put Louisville in the national spotlight with its breakfast menu and famous clients from Hillary Clinton to celebrity chefs. Neighboring business owners Jennifer Rosenstein and Shanna Simpson are thrilled about the sale.

Rosenstein, who owns Le Rack, said, "I just felt like something was going to eventually happen and now it is."

Simpson who opened her photography business a year ago said, "I'm so excited, so hopefully it'll be back like I've heard that Barret Avenue used to be."

What will Winter miss most?

"The customers," she said, "I want to say thank you, thank you for eating here and I want to say thanks to the people who worked with me and lived my dream."

Winter is giving away most of what's inside the restaurant to other restaurants and friends. While Winter has lived in California while undergoing medical treatments, she said she loves Kentucky and it will always be home.

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