LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A restaurant and bar in Louisville's Deer Park neighborhood has shut its doors after being caught up in recent violence along Bardstown Road.

Cafe 360 closed earlier this week, and right next door Afrokanza Lounge's space is for lease. 

John T. Allison is a lifelong Louisville resident who has lived right next to Bardstown Road for more than three decades and has seen businesses come and go over the years. 

"They think they could start a great business," Allison said. "But, you know, they stay for a month or two and they're closed."

Though he said he believes the area has declined over the years, he believes it can be fixed.

"It has gone from good to worse to good," he said. "I'm seeing it come back slowly, and I think we're on the upswing. It doesn't come overnight."

Allison said he believes Bardstown Road hit a low point during the pandemic and still hasn't fully recovered. So it makes him sad to see boarded up buildings and for lease signs.

"Bring the people back," he said. "It's really a great neighborhood street between Cherokee Road and Tyler Park."

Alex Philipp, who also lives near Bardstown Road, is disappointed to see what he considers to be more vacant buildings.

"You just wish that things could stay and maybe have some time to flourish," he said. "We want to bring some culture to Bardstown Road."

About a mile away, on the other side of Eastern Parkway, Bakersfield opened on Bardstown Road on September 12, 2023. Less than a year later, the location is shut down, according to its voicemail.

"Thank you for calling Bakersfield Louisville. As of September 8, we have permanently closed this location," the recording said.

Bakersfield was the third business to take over in the 1000 block of Bardstown Road near Grinstead Drive since 2020. It now joins the list of recently closed businesses, with Cafe 360 and Afrokanza Lounge.

However, some neighbors aren't sorry to see the latter two businesses shut down after a deadly shooting happened nearby.

"It's cool to have late night spots like that," Phillipp said, "but if it's going to come at the cost of violence -- it's like, I don't know if it's worth it."

Allison said the recent reports of violence in the area "probably does scare some of the people off Bardstown Road and Baxter!"

Now, residents who live nearby hope the vacant properties will have new tenants soon, but they're split on what types of businesses should take their place.

"I want a good retail business or a gas station," Allison said. "No, we don't need anymore bars."

Philipp said he wouldn't mind having a place to go to have a drink now and then. "I'm, you know, a younger guy, so I like going out to the bars and stuff," he said. 

Businesses near what was Bakersfield said that building will soon have a new tenant, but there's no word yet on Cafe 360 or Afrokanza Lounge. Both still have for lease signs posted on their doors.

In a written statement, Louisville Metro Councilman Ben Reno-Weber, D-8, said the recently vacated buildings could soon have tenants again. 

"I think we are seeing a lot of momentum in the right direction right now," he said. While I am always sad when a business closes, I am excited about all of the outreach we are getting about that and other spaces along Bardstown Road. There are some exciting announcements to come shortly. And if anyone is interested in opening a business in the Highlands, reach out to our office and we will connect you with all the resources our city has to help."

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