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New business inspired by recent protests and desire to revitalize downtown

Olivia Griffin wants her new shop, Riot Cafe, to be a haven for people, as well as a place to work and socialize.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Protesters have been fighting for justice for more than 100 days in Louisville.

One downtown business owner has welcomed protesters into her bar, The Limbo. Olivia Griffin also owns The Mysterious Rack, a hat shop on 4th St.  

When the business on the corner of 4th and Chestnut St. vacated, Griffin purchased the property with a plan to expand The Limbo.

But soon she had an idea for a new business – what will be known as the Riot Cafe.

The idea came about when protests began in Louisville, and Griffin stored supplies for protesters at The Limbo, as well as asked people in the community to drop of supplies as well.

RELATED: 100 days of protests in Louisville: 'We'll be out here every single day until we get justice.'

The location is about three blocks from Jefferson Square Park.

It also became a haven for protesters, with coalitions having meetings in the space as well.

Griffin wants to build community give back programs into the business. She will welcome an artist in residency program for people of color. 

A percentage of all Riot Cafe sales will go into a fund to create a program for people of color who want to create a food or beverage related business.

The cafe and bodega will open at 8 a.m., and have coffee, alcohol, pastries, and grab and go sandwiches, which will be inspired by Japanese and Korean style food.

Griffin is going to work hard to make the offerings affordable.

She also wants to be cognizant of who she is buying from and where she gets supplies.

“We’re trying to be really strategic and intentional about the products that we’re bringing in, supporting Black owned, Black produced products first, and then supporting locally owned, locally produced,” Griffin said.

Griffin spent time at Jefferson Square Park, barbecuing for people there.

She said if she is going to open another business, it just makes sense for it to be centered around the communities that have been marginalized.

She also said this is the kind of place downtown needs right now.

“It is not scary down here, we need people to come back downtown, we need to unboard all these businesses,” Griffin said. “There are peaceful protests that happen every day. I have not once felt threatened by any group of protesters or any march and I hope people will come down and just see and witness what’s actually happening not just what’s skewed by hearsay.”

Griffin hopes to open the Riot Cafe by the end of the month.

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