
Austin Curtis and Alexa Schuett outside the future Chimbo Sandwich Shoppe space. (Courtesy Chimbo Sandwich Shoppe)
An established player in the Church Hill food scene is branching out elsewhere in the neighborhood.
Alexa Schuett, who owns Liberty Public House restaurant and Riverbend Roastery coffee shop, is preparing to open Chimbo Sandwich Shoppe in the former 8 ½ space at 2709 E. Marshall St.
Schuett, who will co-own the new spot with Liberty Public House kitchen manager Austin Curtis, said she’s had the idea for Chimbo Sandwich Shoppe in the back of her mind for a while, and that she hopes it’ll fill a gap left by Black Sheep, a restaurant that served large, imaginative sandwiches in the Carver neighborhood from 2008 until its closure in 2017.
“(Chimbo will have) fresh baked bread and baguettes that we’re doing in house,” Schuett said. “While we’ll never replace Black Sheep, we would like to try to fill some of that void there with some really interesting, big sandwiches.”
Schuett said Chimbo will have weekly special sandwiches along with soups and sides like pasta salad and baked mac and cheese.
The nearly 700-square-foot space became available after 8 ½ closed late last year after around seven years in Church Hill. The Italian joint’s Fan location remains open.
Chimbo will operate primarily as a to-go spot and be open for both lunch and dinner. Schuett said after unveiling her plans to some Church Hill locals, a common ask was whether lunch service was in the plans.
“So much of Church Hill is dinner only,” Schuett said. “There’s not enough lunch here. Let’s go make sure that there is a little more lunch to be had.”
Schuett and Curtis are leasing the space from building owner and fellow restaurateur Kendra Feather of Garnett’s, Laura Lee’s and The Roosevelt. Sperity Real Estate Ventures’ Nathan Hughes handled the lease negotiations.
Schuett said they’re working to renovate the space now and seek to have Chimbo open in late February or March.

Austin Curtis and Alexa Schuett outside the future Chimbo Sandwich Shoppe space. (Courtesy Chimbo Sandwich Shoppe)
An established player in the Church Hill food scene is branching out elsewhere in the neighborhood.
Alexa Schuett, who owns Liberty Public House restaurant and Riverbend Roastery coffee shop, is preparing to open Chimbo Sandwich Shoppe in the former 8 ½ space at 2709 E. Marshall St.
Schuett, who will co-own the new spot with Liberty Public House kitchen manager Austin Curtis, said she’s had the idea for Chimbo Sandwich Shoppe in the back of her mind for a while, and that she hopes it’ll fill a gap left by Black Sheep, a restaurant that served large, imaginative sandwiches in the Carver neighborhood from 2008 until its closure in 2017.
“(Chimbo will have) fresh baked bread and baguettes that we’re doing in house,” Schuett said. “While we’ll never replace Black Sheep, we would like to try to fill some of that void there with some really interesting, big sandwiches.”
Schuett said Chimbo will have weekly special sandwiches along with soups and sides like pasta salad and baked mac and cheese.
The nearly 700-square-foot space became available after 8 ½ closed late last year after around seven years in Church Hill. The Italian joint’s Fan location remains open.
Chimbo will operate primarily as a to-go spot and be open for both lunch and dinner. Schuett said after unveiling her plans to some Church Hill locals, a common ask was whether lunch service was in the plans.
“So much of Church Hill is dinner only,” Schuett said. “There’s not enough lunch here. Let’s go make sure that there is a little more lunch to be had.”
Schuett and Curtis are leasing the space from building owner and fellow restaurateur Kendra Feather of Garnett’s, Laura Lee’s and The Roosevelt. Sperity Real Estate Ventures’ Nathan Hughes handled the lease negotiations.
Schuett said they’re working to renovate the space now and seek to have Chimbo open in late February or March.
Excited for this new spot and I think it will be a perfect addition to what is currently in Church Hill.
Heck yes!! Excited for a lunch spot!