Holland Group's Second Spear Ridge Café is Opened at Nicholson's The Downs
**New Spear Ridge Café Opens in Independence, Strengthening Community Ties**
Spear Ridge Café, a locally inspired Southern-style restaurant, has recently opened its second location in Independence, Kentucky. The new café, which is part of the $22 million mixed-used development The Downs of Nicholson, offers a warm and inviting atmosphere for residents and visitors alike.
The café, occupying a 2,400-square-foot space, boasts 100 indoor seats and 40-50 outdoor patio seats, providing ample space for community gatherings. The menu features a variety of Southern favourites, such as the country ham and pimento sandwich, catfish basket, smashburgers, biscuits & gravy, and soft-serve desserts. For those who prefer local brews, the café offers beer on tap, including offerings from Barleycorn’s Brewhouse.
In line with its commitment to giving back to the community, Spear Ridge Café has donated $5,000 to the Simon Kenton High School for the Lennie Collins "School of Leonard" Memorial Scholarship Fund. Additionally, as part of the grand opening celebration, One Holland Group, the café’s parent company, will make a $2,500 donation each to the Kenton County Fair Board and Hickory Grove Church. These funds were raised during a friends and family event held prior to the café’s opening.
The Independence location echoes the original Spear Ridge Café in Florence on Industrial Road, serving as a modern-day neighbourhood hub. The café is more than just a culinary destination; it is a community-oriented establishment that reflects the roots and local engagement of the CEO, Gary Holland, and his family.
Mr. Holland expressed his gratitude for Independence, stating, "Independence means a lot to me and my family, and we wanted to build something that reflects our roots and gives back to the place that shaped us." The new café's mural, unveiled during a community dinner, features local icons, honouring the legacy of Lennie Collins, alongside recognition of former Kenton County Police Chiefs Joe Schmiade and RC Richardson, the Kenton County School Board, and the City of Independence.
Jay Shelton, chief financial officer of One Holland Group, shared his excitement about the new café, stating, "The Independence Spear Ridge Café is a reflection of what we love most about Northern Kentucky: strong community, great food, and real hospitality."
As Spear Ridge Café continues to grow, it remains committed to its mission of serving as a gathering place for the community, offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and giving back to the local area that has shaped its founders.
- Spear Ridge Café's second location, situated in Independence, Kenton County, is part of the Northern Kentucky's $22 million mixed-used development, The Downs of Nicholson.
- The café's menu includes Southern favorites such as country ham and pimento sandwich, catfish basket, smashburgers, biscuits & gravy, soft-serve desserts, and local brews like Barleycorn’s Brewhouse.
- Demonstrating commitment to community development, Spear Ridge Café donated $5,000 to the Simon Kenton High School for the Lennie Collins "School of Leonard" Memorial Scholarship Fund.
- In addition to the café, the outdoor-living space boasts 40-50 seats, providing an ideal location for community gatherings.
- With the unveiling of a mural featuring local icons in the Independence location, Spear Ridge Café resonates with the home-and-garden aesthetic of the area, reflecting the roots and local engagement of the café's founders.
