Deal may be in the works for former River Road Tumbleweed location

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The group that brought Louisville Doc Crow's and La Coop are set to take over the waterfront space left vacant by Tumbleweed.

Officials with the Waterfront Development Corporation are expecting to close a deal with Falls City Hospitality Group in the next two to three weeks.

"Everybody wants to get somebody in there sooner rather than later," said David Karem of Waterfront Development.

Brett Davis, a partner in the restaurant group, says they're planning a Mexican-themed restaurant in the River Road space. Davis said the price range and atmosphere will be similar to that of Doc Crow's. He said they aim to price each menu item at or below the $20 mark.

"Everything we hear about Doc Crows is that it's a totally quality operation," said Karem. "Everyone says they're great to work with, so they have a great reputation."

Tumbleweed Tex-Mex Grill and Margarita Bar closed November 15, after an ongoing dispute with the Waterfront Development Corporation and Waterweed LLC. Both entities claim Tumbleweed was several months behind on rent payments.

In September, Rick Schardein, a spokesman for Tumbleweed, acknowledged the withholding of the quarterly rent payment to the Waterfront, which he called a “negotiating tactic” to gain more favorable terms in the restaurant's lease.

A lawsuit was filed in Jefferson Circuit Court in October. The Waterfront Development Corporation declined comment on the ongoing litigation.

Along with Doc Crow's, Falls City Hospitality Group owns Union Common in Nashville, Tennessee. The group also has a restaurant in the works at RiverPark, a Steve Poe development only about a mile from the Tumbleweed location.