Andy Barr visits Nicholas county and three new businesses ribbon cuttings

Congressman Andy Barr visited Nicholas County Friday, May 27 for “Coffee with your Congressman” at the new Main Street Deli in Carlisle and then participated with ribbon cuttings for three new or re-opened businesses. The Main Street Deli at 118 East Main Street, owned and operated by Al Helton, serves pastries including homemade cinnamon roles for breakfast, soups, sandwiches and salads for lunch and roasted chickens and sides for takeout dinner. The deli also offers fresh cut meats and cheeses, mustards and local frozen beef and lamb grown in Nicholas County at the Bluegrass Belties Farm. Helton is also co-owner of Charlie’s Beer Cheese that produces a variety of products for Kroger’s and other supermarket chains. “We saw a need in the community for another restaurant alternative. We love being in Nicholas County and want to do all we can to help bring back downtown and add jobs. If the restaurant does well, we already have plans in the works to open another store next door. This is a great place to live and work,” Helton said. Mona Vice has opened the Polka Dot Elephant located on 366 East Main Street, Carlisle. The gift shop offers everything from hand-made quilts, jewelry, household and children’s items, embroidered aprons and flowers. Besides offering hand-sewn quilts for sale, she is also offering children’s quilting classes over the summer this June. Forest Retreat, the historic home of Kentucky’s 10th governor and United States Senator Thomas Metcalfe, has now re-opened as a Bed & Breakfast and Event Venue. The home located at 4179 Maysville Road in Carlisle was built in 1795. Operator Todd Wiese shared the story of how the property got its name during a tour of the house, grounds, garden house and Tavern Stage Coach House. Henry Clay came to visit and told the governor he had a veritable “Forest Retreat” here so that’s what they named it. Andrew Jackson also stayed at Forest Retreat on his way to his inauguration as President. The 1954 Kentucky Derby winner Determine was also born and bred there. Without a hotel in the county Forest Retreat can now serve as an upscale alternative for visitors with room rates at low nightly fees. Individual rooms can be rented in the main house or two and three bedroom sections of the garden house and tavern. Forest Retreat will also be hosting weddings starting this summer and has other community events in the works. Though not normally open to the public, they plan to be open for touring during the annual Black Berry Festival in Nicholas County that celebrates its 70th year. It also corresponds with Carlisle Bicentennial June 26th when the week long celebrating begins. It’s been an exciting time in Nicholas County, with three more new businesses and a visit from Congressman Barr.