Kimberly Love-Lindsey and Mike Lindsey, owners of Lillie Pearl, Pop’s, Buttermilk and Honey. (BizSense file)
There’s a bit of churn underway in the downtown sandwich scene.
Pop’s Market on Grace closed earlier this week after seven years in business downtown, as owners Kimberly Love-Lindsey and Mike Lindsey are converting the space into a third location for their fried chicken sandwich concept Buttermilk and Honey.
The couple bought Pop’s last year from founders Josh and Patti Wright with a plan to continue running the sandwich-heavy cafe and market at 415 E. Grace St. as-is. But Lindsey said this week that Pop’s wasn’t generating enough revenue to keep it going.
“We love Pop’s and definitely wanted to keep it alive, but it’s about business and taking care of something we stepped into,” Lindsey said. “This business model (Buttermilk and Honey) we know is successful and we know there’s definitely a need for it downtown.”
Pop’s Market at 415 E. Grace St. (Mike Platania photo)
Lindsey said they’d been supplementing Pop’s sales by renting out its 2,800-square-foot space for private events in the evenings, but those proved to be unreliable.
“Being right there by Secret Sandwich Society (next door), even the old owners were kind of going through it, so Kim and I have always been thinking about what we can do to this space to make it more lucrative,” Lindsey said. “It was picking up a little bit, but every time there’s an influx in Covid (cases), we lose those events.”
He said all that really needs to be done to convert Pop’s into Buttermilk and Honey is install a few fryers and hire some additional staff. He’s aiming to have it open in about three-to-four weeks with plans to eventually have it open for dinner and seven days per week.
Across Grace Street is Lillie Pearl, the first restaurant Lindsey and Love-Lindsey opened after striking out on their own in 2020. In addition to its menu of Southern American and West African-influenced cuisine, Lindsey said Lillie Pearl has also offered some of the chicken sandwiches at Buttermilk and Honey, something he said he expects will continue.
It’s been an especially busy year for the couple’s company, Lindsey Food Group. Their first two Buttermilk and Honey locations opened in the last 12 months in West Broad Marketplace in Short Pump and in the Hatch Local food hall in Manchester.
Lindsey said they recently opened Jubilee in Manchester, as well as Bully Burger, a smash burger concept, in Hatch Local. They have a sixth concept in the works with ML Steak Modern Chophouse that’s taking over the former Fatty Smokes location at 326 E. Broad St. downtown.
Kimberly Love-Lindsey and Mike Lindsey, owners of Lillie Pearl, Pop’s, Buttermilk and Honey. (BizSense file)
There’s a bit of churn underway in the downtown sandwich scene.
Pop’s Market on Grace closed earlier this week after seven years in business downtown, as owners Kimberly Love-Lindsey and Mike Lindsey are converting the space into a third location for their fried chicken sandwich concept Buttermilk and Honey.
The couple bought Pop’s last year from founders Josh and Patti Wright with a plan to continue running the sandwich-heavy cafe and market at 415 E. Grace St. as-is. But Lindsey said this week that Pop’s wasn’t generating enough revenue to keep it going.
“We love Pop’s and definitely wanted to keep it alive, but it’s about business and taking care of something we stepped into,” Lindsey said. “This business model (Buttermilk and Honey) we know is successful and we know there’s definitely a need for it downtown.”
Pop’s Market at 415 E. Grace St. (Mike Platania photo)
Lindsey said they’d been supplementing Pop’s sales by renting out its 2,800-square-foot space for private events in the evenings, but those proved to be unreliable.
“Being right there by Secret Sandwich Society (next door), even the old owners were kind of going through it, so Kim and I have always been thinking about what we can do to this space to make it more lucrative,” Lindsey said. “It was picking up a little bit, but every time there’s an influx in Covid (cases), we lose those events.”
He said all that really needs to be done to convert Pop’s into Buttermilk and Honey is install a few fryers and hire some additional staff. He’s aiming to have it open in about three-to-four weeks with plans to eventually have it open for dinner and seven days per week.
Across Grace Street is Lillie Pearl, the first restaurant Lindsey and Love-Lindsey opened after striking out on their own in 2020. In addition to its menu of Southern American and West African-influenced cuisine, Lindsey said Lillie Pearl has also offered some of the chicken sandwiches at Buttermilk and Honey, something he said he expects will continue.
It’s been an especially busy year for the couple’s company, Lindsey Food Group. Their first two Buttermilk and Honey locations opened in the last 12 months in West Broad Marketplace in Short Pump and in the Hatch Local food hall in Manchester.
Lindsey said they recently opened Jubilee in Manchester, as well as Bully Burger, a smash burger concept, in Hatch Local. They have a sixth concept in the works with ML Steak Modern Chophouse that’s taking over the former Fatty Smokes location at 326 E. Broad St. downtown.
Mmmmmm. Mixed feelings on this one. Pop’s was never quite the same after it changed hands. The sandwiches shrunk (but not the prices) and they didn’t have that amazing bread any more. But Lillie Pearl is amazing and I’m excited to try the Buttermilk and Honey concept. I just hope it’s price point makes it an everyday kind of destination. If that’s the case, they’re gonna kill it.
Same here as Pop’s when opened was special. B+H is really good food but the sandwich with fries and drink is about $17-20 dollars and with city meals tax it is going to be over $20. And unlike Short Pump or even Hatch location has free parking (street parking around Hatch is not metered). Grace Street it $1-$2 to street park if you can find it. Hopefully downtown workers will eventually return.
I am so proud of the Lindseys as they continue to invest in the neighborhood’s transformation and honor their commitment to the revitalization of the city center. The neighbourhood’s population is increasing at a dramatic rate and it is capable of becoming a walkable, sustainable, neighborhood comprised of people who are already there with no parking issue, ready to support them…not to mention downtown workers and those who visit hotels, the convention center, entertainment venues and the river. I applaud their work ethic and wish them success in their investment in downtown, hoping it encourages others to join them. Good… Read more »
There is a market for good food in our community off of ironbridge rd in chester. So many residence we know go out of the community to get a decent sandwich or dinner other that greasy chain restaurants. Please consider this area for a location. A pilot to test the market could be done at the strip mall where The Crab Dump WAS located. Great parking and lots of homes and travelers