National Ave. dining changes: Ice cream, Lexington farmers market join bakery, barbecue

Janet Patton
·3 min read

When Mamadou “Sav” Savane closed his restaurant in August 2022, he really thought he needed some time off.

Well, break time is over .... After spending some time back home in Guinea in West Africa, he’s back in Lexington and opening a new ice cream shop.

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“Take a break from food ... I don’t know what I was thinking,” Savane said. “A man needs something to do.”

He closed his Sav’s Restaurant and Gourmet Ice Cream on Main Street and leased out the building to La Taquiza, which is still going strong.

Sav’s Gourmet Ice Cream is opening on National Avenue with 18 flavors, including Bourbon Honey, plus two sorbets.
Sav’s Gourmet Ice Cream is opening on National Avenue with 18 flavors, including Bourbon Honey, plus two sorbets.

So his new venture will be in a new place: Sav’s Gourmet Ice Cream (rather than Sav’s Chill, as the store was called previously when it was on South Limestone) will be opening in 819 National Ave., Suite 130, between the new Blue Door Smokehouse and Void Sake’s place. But he plans on keeping the Sav’s Chill name on his food trucks.

It’s one of many big changes coming to the National Avenue area including the recent openings of Blue Door Smokehouse, Wild Lab Bakery and Lexington Farmers Market taking root twice a week.

Mamadou “Sav” Savane will open his new ice cream shop in late April or early May.
Mamadou “Sav” Savane will open his new ice cream shop in late April or early May.

Savane said he hopes open by the end of April or in first week of May. The menu will have 18 different flavors of ice cream and two sorbets: Hibiscus and lavender lemonade.

“I think it will be popular,” he said. He also will serve milkshakes and drinks including beesop (made from hibiscus) and ginger pineapple drinks. And he’ll sell his hot sauce Sav’s Piment and Sav’s Vinaigrette on site as well. And he still plans to have his ice cream truck at events.

Rachel and Mamadou Savané, shown in 1989, met in Guinea, where Rachel was volunteering with the Peace Corps.
Rachel and Mamadou Savané, shown in 1989, met in Guinea, where Rachel was volunteering with the Peace Corps.

“I consider myself very very lucky. I’m very thankful,” he said. “If I had to go find a regular job, I would not be a happy person.”

He’s planning to be open Wednesday through Sunday noon to 10 p.m.

Lexington Farmers Market moving to National Avenue two days a week

The Lexington Farmers Market is moving its Tuesday and Thursday morning markets from Broadway to National Avenue, in a lot near the end of North Ashland Avenue.

The market, which is moving to make way for planned construction on the parking lot across from Rupp Arena, should be opening in the new location May 21 with a grand opening coming June 4, according to Josh England, manager of the market.

Marion Pittman, left, and Ryan Hayes, of Pittman Produce in Casey County, ready their stand at the Lexington Farmers Market at the corner of Maxwell Street and South Broadway on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021. The Tuesday and Thursday market will be moving to National Avenue.
Marion Pittman, left, and Ryan Hayes, of Pittman Produce in Casey County, ready their stand at the Lexington Farmers Market at the corner of Maxwell Street and South Broadway on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021. The Tuesday and Thursday market will be moving to National Avenue.

The market is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (or until vendors sell out, which is usually well before 4 p.m.)

Wild Lab Bakery expanding shop hours

Wild Lab Bakery, which opened at 819 National Ave. Suite 110 in February, sells naturally leavened sourdough and bagels and ancient grain salted chocolate chip cookies.

Wild Lab Bakery is in the front of the building at 819 National Ave. that also houses Blue Door Smokehouse in the back. The bakery, which is open Wednesday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or until sold out, opened in February with a variety of breads, bagels and cookies.
Wild Lab Bakery is in the front of the building at 819 National Ave. that also houses Blue Door Smokehouse in the back. The bakery, which is open Wednesday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or until sold out, opened in February with a variety of breads, bagels and cookies.

Married owners and bakers Chapi Johnson and Andrew McGraw have been selling at the Saturday Lexington Farmers Market downtown but plan to scale back to focus on their shop.

Beginning in June they will be at the shop Wednesday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., or until sell out. They also plan to sell at the Tuesday and Thursday markets, which will be next door, and the Chevy Chase Farmers Market at the Anglican Church at 200 Colony Blvd. on Wednesday mornings.

Myriad Meadery closes

Myriad Meadery at 732 National Ave. announced it has closed. Owners Douglas Price and Derek DeFranco announced on social media in April that Mirror Twin Brewing would take over the space as The Annex, for booking private parties.

Myriad Meadery opened in January 2023 offering a variety of meads made from fermented honey. Some mead will still be available while supplies last.

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