Home Care In La Grange, KY

LA GRANGE, Ky. — The community in La Grange, Kentucky is proving it lives up to the moniker as the "Kindness Capital of Kentucky."

Last week, Andrea Essenpreis, owner of Q&A Sweet Treats, fell down the stairs of her shop and broke both of her legs. Friends said the bakery owner then drove herself to the hospital, not wanting to inconvenience anyone.

Shortly after, the air conditioning went out at her bakery -- a costly repair in good times, let alone with the boss at home recovering.

Wanting to help, Essenpreis' friends set up a GoFundMe.

Though it met its initial goal, organizers raised that number after finding several other projects to do at Q&A.

There are now plans to paint and rebuilt the deck, with help from volunteers.

On Monday, people also showed up to mow the lawn and tidy up the landscaping.

"We want to try to get all of the repairs done and have her back in her business as soon as possible and she won't have anything to worry about," longtime friend Donna Sabo said.

Those who know Essenpreis best said learning she drove herself to the hospital after her injury wasn't a surprise.

"You chuckle a little bit because it's just so Andrea," Q&A employee Emma Reisch said. "She is not one who goes down easy and without a fight."

Essenpreis serves on the City Council, volunteers, is a breast cancer survivor, and helped drive the campaign to dub the city the "Kindness Capital of Kentucky."

"It's just her continuation of trying to express kindness in our community and that's what she does every day," La Grange Mayor John Black said.

With Essenpreis unable to bake, and resting at home, her coworkers and friends are holding down the fort.

"We're just happy to give back a little bit to her," Sabo said. "She's a great friend, she's a great community leader and she's just a great person all the way around. So we're happy to help her and she would do the same thing for us."

The GoFundMe to help Essenpreis and Q&A has a goal of nearly $20,000. It has already raised more than $7,000.

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LA GRANGE, Ky. —

LaGrange celebrates the progress of the new multi-million-dollar Oldham County Judicial Center.

The Oldham County community celebrated a milestone Tuesday in a project that will preserve a 150-year-old piece of their history.

The nearly $45 million plan for a new judicial center, needed to address safety and structural concerns, got off the ground last March.

“My goal for this project is and continues to be, let's do it, let's do it right, and let's do it so we don't have to do it again in 25 years,” said Judge Jerry Crosby, chief circuit for the 12^th Judicial Circuit.

The courthouse on West Main Street, which is the second oldest in Kentucky, was moved forward about 60 feet to a new foundation on its original property, with residents watching every minute.

“It was a slow process, but it was interesting to see how they moved it on those skids,” said Nancy Noel, a downtown Lagrange business owner.

Some of the businesses located in the historic downtown Lagrange say the process to expand the judicial center, though taking a little longer than expected due to supply chain issues, to their surprise, is not having any negative impacts on their stores.

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“I would think the restaurants have felt a bigger effect because you don't have people leaving the courthouse and coming to one of the restaurants for lunch. But I think we're all doing well,” said Jody Curry, owner of Mercantile on Main.

Curry’s vintage shops are among the newer businesses in the downtown area. She says amid construction, her foot traffic has been steady. Nancy Noel, the owner of Old Oak Frame House, the oldest business on Main Street, agrees that she still sees her loyal customers.

She also expects the new building, featuring Oldham County's historic charm, to be a boost for that.

“We're excited about it. I think it'll bring more business in because it'll be a different kind of courthouse,” said Noel.

Once complete, the two-story building will be nearly 54,000 square feet. Officials estimate the project to be finished by November of 2025.

LA GRANGE, Ky. —

After more than a decade of serving the community, a La Grange bakery is closing its doors.

Q&A Sweet Treats is a local staple that's been serving cookies and baked goods for 12 years.

Andrea Essenpreis, the shop's owner, said this is a bittersweet moment for her. To her, it is more than leaving behind a business but also the friends and customers she met along the way.

“I would love it if everybody in the world could be part of being a small business in a small town. It's just a very special thing to get to know people to have them let you into their lives,” Essenpreis said.

She said she got her start by baking treats in her kitchen, and it turned into a passion she wanted to share with the community.

“We are a scratch bakery. So, you know, every order we made was like making an order for our family. To be a part of that for so long is just a special thing for me and my staff,” Essenpreis said.

After suffering a fall in July, Essenpreis broke her left leg and right foot. She was unable to be on her feet for more than six weeks.

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During the healing process, she said she could no longer bake full-time on her feet. With the holidays coming up, it seemed like the perfect time to close up, although she doesn’t plan on saying goodbye for good.

"I always said that the business was my third baby. So, you know, the way I approach it is this particular child is growing up and going to college. We won’t be open every day, but it will still be in our lives," Essenpreis said.

She plans to use the kitchen in the back to make her treats. She also will continue to cater and sell the baked goods at stores and local farmer markets.

When asked what she was most thankful for, Essenpreis said her kids, friends and everyone who supported her along the way.

“I would just thank them ... it's been a special time in my life,” Essenpreis said.

In the next stage of her life, Essenpreis plans to go back to school to work on a nursing degree. She said it was time for a change, and she looks forward to everything ahead.

Local developers are one step closer to bringing a new business park to Oldham County.

Hollenbach-Oakley and The Hocker Group are the master developers on Oldham Reserve, a new 1,000-acre development in La Grange, Kentucky. The project will consist of a Class A business park, multifamily units and single-family homes.

The firms have completed the purchase of the first 72 acres, which will house the multifamily project and business park, said John Hollenbach, managing partner of Hollenbach-Oakley. He declined to disclose the purchase price.

The first phase of the project includes a multifamily development, and it has already been zoned and approved. Hollenbach said that project will have about 500 units made up of two, 250-unit apartment complexes.

The apartments will have the typical amenities of market-rate housing like a pool, walking trails and pet facilities. Hollenbach estimated the first of the two complexes will be between $60-70 million, and construction will likely begin next summer.

The business park will consist of about 500,000 square feet of buildings, not including future out parcels. It will be a mix of office, retail, medical and flex space. The groups are still securing anchor tenants, looking to attract a grocer.

The second phase of the project will include single family homes. Hollenbach said the firms wanted to include housing in the project to support the existing and future workers at the site, as well as create a true live, work, play community.

With large employers like The Rawlings Group and Trilogy Health Services already present in the area, there’s a need for more housing to accommodate growth, Hollenbach said.

The development has been in the works for the last 10 years. The county has been working to get infrastructure in place, including widening I-71 and building Eden Parkway.

Louisville Business First previously reported the infrastructure work inside Oldham Reserve is part of over $80 million in road projects that have been identified to create better access into the business park. It includes new interchanges of I-71 with Ernie Harris Parkway and KY-53 to support future traffic coming to the area.

There are also additional connecting roadways and required infrastructure planned within Oldham Reserve as development progresses.

Hollenbach-Oakley is known for its office park projects across Louisville. The firm is responsible for Blankenbaker Station in Louisville’s East End and is master developer of Gateway Office Park in River Ridge.

It has two campus projects in the works: Simpsonville Commons, which will include retail, office space, research and development, and Louisville Logistics Park, which will feature light manufacturing and assembly, warehouse distribution and office space.

The Hocker Group is a vertically integrated development, acquisition, property management and leasing team with a broad focus across multiple asset classes. Founded in 2004, The Hocker Group has carried out over $500 million in real estate transactions on behalf of the firm and its investors.

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Office dollar volume: 2022

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Visiting Kentucky is always a great idea. Not only does the Bluegrass State offer a wide variety of experiences that cater to every traveler’s desires, but it also is loaded with history. From exploring the majestic beauty of the Appalachian Mountains and the breathtaking Mammoth Cave National Park to savoring the world-famous bourbon trail, Kentucky provides an unforgettable blend of outdoor adventures, historical treasures, and culinary delights. One of the best ways to see Kentucky for what it truly is, is by exploring the various small towns that pepper the map. One such town that deserves the utmost respect and admiration is La Grange.

La Grange, Kentucky, is a charming small town located in Oldham County, approximately 20 miles northeast of Louisville. As part of the Louisville metropolitan area, it provides residents with both a suburban lifestyle and easy access to the amenities of a larger city. One of the many reasons we love this charming town is for the picturesque and well-preserved historic downtown area, with many buildings dating back to the 19th century. Main Street is lined with quaint shops, boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries, making it a popular destination for both locals and visitors. It’s easy to see why this place was selected for our Small Town Getaways series!

So, what is La Grange known for, you ask? Trains! Perhaps the coolest aspect of this small town is that a train runs smack dab down through the middle of it! As far as things to do in La Grange go, watching these trains sure takes the cake.

Do you love visiting and learning all about America’s small towns? Take our interactive quiz to discover which Small Town Getaway you should take this year.

Table of Contents

Is La Grange Worth Visiting?

You betcha!

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Originally a small farming community, the town grew with the arrival of the railroad in the mid-19th century, which facilitated transportation and trade. The town became a major shipping point for agriculture and tobacco products, further boosting its growth and economy.

Throughout the 20th century, the town maintained its small-town charm, preserving many historical buildings and landmarks. Today, it continues to be a vibrant community known for its annual festivals, like the Oldham County Day and the Railroad and Bluegrass Festival, which celebrate its heritage and culture.

The town’s proximity to Louisville has also contributed to its growth, making it a popular residential area for those seeking a quieter lifestyle while still having access to urban amenities. Its history and charm make the town an attractive destination for both residents and visitors alike.

How To Get To La Grange

While you might assume that by train is the easiest way to get to La Grange, Kentucky, you’d be mistaken. While up to 30 trains run through the town every day, they are mostly freight and cargo trains. So the best ways to get to this small town are by car or plane.

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Getting Around La Grange

Good news for anyone looking to keep it simple as they trek around town – there are a handful of ways to consider.

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Stay In A Former Distillery Overlooking The Kentucky River In Kentucky

Where To Stay In La Grange

Day One – Some Hometown Favorites

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Day Two – It’s All About Main Street!

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Want to see if the train is coming through the town? You can by checking out the Virtual Railfan live train cam! How cool is that?!

It was fun being your La Grange travel guide, but are you ready to explore it for yourself?! What were your favorite attractions we outlined above? Hopefully, we’ve offered enough options for you to enjoy a memorable weekend in this charming town.