Bearno's Pizza to close downtown location, move to new spot. Here's where to find it

The downtown location of Bearno's Pizza will soon close its doors, following 26 years in business near the intersection of 2nd and Main streets. But downtown Louisville won't be without Bearno's for long.

The location, known as Bearno's By The Bridge, at 131 W. Main St. will be shutting down in mid-December and relocating a few blocks away on Market Street, managing partner George Timmering told the Courier Journal on Wednesday.

“We’ve loved our 26 years on 2nd and Main,” Timmering said. “We had an opportunity to improve our location and be closer to the action. We’re excited about the move.”

The new pizza joint, to be called Bearno's on Market, will take over the former site of Southern Restaurant & Lounge, which closed its doors following an August shooting that happened during a farewell event at the establishment. The early-morning shooting on Aug. 27 at 301 W. Market St., left two people dead and five people injured.

Following the "tragic event," Timmering said he hopes that Bearno's moving in begins a new chapter for 301 W. Market St.

“We’re ready to create great, positive memories at the location," he said.

Timmering, who helps oversee the pizza chain's 13 locations, expects the transition from Main Street to Market Street to happen within a few days in December. The spot's 25 employees will stay on board, he said.

"We’d like to close on a Sunday and hopefully be open by the Wednesday or Thursday of the same week," he said.

After some renovations, the new location will have a capacity of about 150 people, a similar number to the 131 W. Main St. building.

Timmering plans to host a goodbye party at Bearno's By the Bridge before its final day in business. Since opening in July 1997, he said the eatery has served as the background for many first dates, rehearsal dinners, anniversary celebrations, and late-night gatherings before or after a concert or ball game. It's one of the oldest locations for Bearno's, a Louisville staple that launched in 1977.

"I have mixed emotions," he said. "I think it will be a big deal."

Timmering said he began to consider moving Bearno’s before the COVID pandemic, as the Main Street’s location’s proximity to Clark Memorial Bridge proved to be a “barrier” for patrons, and foot traffic became busier elsewhere downtown.

Plus, there were “hassles” operating out of the 145-year-old building. Upon entering Bearno’s on Main Street, customers were met with a set of stairs to walk down. The street-level location on Market Street will mark an “improvement for accessibility,” Timmering said.

The new location will be closer to the Kentucky International Convention Center, the soon-to-open Derby City Gaming location, several hotels and bars as well as distilleries and bourbon-themed experiences on Whiskey Row.

“We look forward to being an anchor and being part of further development downtown,” Timmering said. “I think we’ll be able to maintain the business we had through the years and even improve upon our sales.”

As Timmering considered the move, he knew he wanted to keep a Bearno’s location in the downtown area.

“I think Louisville is full of wonderful neighborhoods,” he said. “Downtown is where we all come together. We’re the front doorstep to visitors and tourists.”

Tentatively, Bearno’s on Market’s hours will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

“Bearno’s has been excited to be part of downtown for all these years," he said. "And we want to continue that for many years to come."

Reach food and dining reporter Amanda Hancock at ahancock@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: After 26 years Bearno's By The Bridge in downtown Louisville is moving