Bonjour, les amis!

As we settle into the heart of winter, there's no better time to cozy up with Ça et Là's newsletter and catch up on our latest updates. Whether you're a new subscriber or a longtime member of our community, merci for joining us! We've been busy brainstorming and bringing a little piece of France to Louisville, and we can't wait to share what's next.

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A Love Note to Our Readers

💌 A Quick Look Back at 2024

The vision of Ça et Là has been in the making since 2021, when we first began working with neighborhood artisans in France, but 2024 was the year our future bistro and boutique truly started to take shape. As many of you know, Laurent and I didn’t approach this as seasoned business professionals. We came at it with a passion for sharing a piece of our hearts with this community.

Starting a business from the ground up as ordinary joes is tough work. We've made mistakes, some of which set us back months. Many of you expected a bistro by March, and now, as we sit here today, we’re looking toward late Spring, perhaps even early Summer. But these delays have ultimately shaped something more community-driven than we ever could have imagined. Every setback has positioned us to better serve Louisville’s needs, and more importantly, its people.

At the start of 2024, our vision was a simple coffee shop with a few ceramics in the window. But through connections at local markets, lively neighborhood hearings, and tedious city processes, Ça et Là has evolved into something so much more—a full-blown bistro and cultural hub for French lovers in Louisville. What began as a small dream has grown into something truly unique, shaped by all of you who have shared your thoughts, your ideas, and your enthusiasm.

What many haven’t seen is our personal journey behind the scenes—a complex and anxiety-riddled visa process, a bittersweet transatlantic move, and long stretches apart from each other and our families, some of which felt like an eternity. The French community here in Louisville (the enthusiasts, the francophones, and the expats who understand what it means to have a heart split between two countries) has been an incredible source of support. We have been absolutely blown away by your kindness and encouragement. You are always reminding us that Louisville is just as much our home as Provence, and for that, we are endlessly grateful.

From the bottom of our hearts, mille fois merci. 💘

And with that, let’s take a look at what’s been happening inside Ça et Là as we bring our brick-and-mortar to life!

Bistro Progress

Bringing France to Frankfort (Avenue)

Ça et Là is coming alive, and every detail is infused with the warmth of Southern France. The interior is shaping up to be a cozy, inviting space, with materials carefully chosen to transport you to the hills of Nice.

When we removed the shingled overhang from the façade of our old building, we uncovered the original 150+ year-old transom window frame (a hidden treasure). Now we've put new windows in its place and are planning to restore some of the original hand-carved cornice along the top of the building. Next up for the exterior: fresh paint, lighting, and a charming new awning to provide cover for those who wish to dine en plein air.

But first, more work inside! The kitchen has been framed out, the bar is being completed as we speak, and the natural-cut stone for the fireplace has been ordered. As we mentioned in our last newsletter, when we removed the old vinyl flooring, we were blessed to uncover the original wood floors, which we’re carefully restoring. Our décor has a timeless call as well. The banquette seating will feature a vintage c.1900 oak Gothic church pew, paired with shimmering handmade copper socca pans adorning the walls. We'll also be showcasing some stunning stained glass photography by Louisville’s own francophone photographer, Cédric Ballarati, bringing some artistry and local connection into our space.

We’re restoring the original beadboard ceilings and adding wood beams to complete the look—bringing the authentic country charm of Provence into every detail. Restoration of a historic building takes time, so we appreciate your patience as we hold off a little longer on setting an official grand opening date.

She’s still bare bones, so we’re not yet ready for progress photos—but trust us, they’re coming! In the meantime, we've included a rough concept of our future façade below (special thanks to our good friend Photoshop).

As many of our Clifton neighbors already know, bringing new life to a property in a historic space comes with its share of challenges. Last week, we reached a major milestone that brings us closer than ever to welcoming you through our doors. On February 6th, all outstanding renovations were officially approved, marking the final step in making Ça et Là a reality. Our bistro will be opening very soon—an intimate space, seating between 25-30 guests with a small, dedicated front-of-house team. Much like in France, we aim to create a neighborhood atmosphere, where familiar faces become friends. Before long, we expect that you’ll be on a first-name basis with our crew.

While the space is taking shape, Chef Wesley Powell has been working closely with local farmers to source the freshest ingredients, ensuring our menu reflects the vibrant flavors of both Southern France and Kentucky’s rich offerings. Our menu will feature dishes that celebrate rustic French cooking: soulful Daube Niçoise, crispy oven-fresh socca, the indulgence of raclette with all its flavorful accompaniments, and curated assortments of charcuterie and cheeses. Each dish is a tribute to family recipes, reimagined with Chef Wesley's innovative touch and dedication to sustainability. Photos are coming but we have just a couple more recipes to perfect first! You'll want to make sure to follow us and Chef Wesley on social media to catch them when they drop!

We Made the List!

Courier Journal's Most Anticipated Openings of 2025

We were over the moon to see Ça et Là featured in the Courier Journal’s list of 7 Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings of 2025! The people have spoken, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the excitement and support surrounding our bistro.

We may not be seasoned restaurateurs, but we’re pouring our hearts into creating a place where every guest feels welcomed, inspired, and well-fed. Every step toward our grand opening is made with you in mind, and we're so excited to bring a little taste of Southern France to Louisville.

Read more about it: What's Coming in 2025?

Experience it First with AFL

An Exclusive Soft Opening in the Works

In honor of celebrating French culture, we're planning an exclusive soft opening for members of the Alliance Française de Louisville. While our official grand opening is still on the horizon, we'll be organizing a special first taste for Louisville's French community; the first of many future AFL member-exclusive events.

In an effort to encourage exploration and participation in the French community here in Louisville, we'll be giving Alliance members early access to Ça et Là, along with special discounts and exclusive gatherings designed with the aim to bring the spirit of France to our neighborhood.

Not an AFL member? No worries! We'll be opening to the public shortly after, and we're planning a celebration worthy of the journey it took to get here. Keep an eye out for the official announcement because you won't want to miss it!

If you're interested in becoming a member of the AFL, you can learn more or join here. We can't wait to welcome all of you into our bistro where good food, good conversation, and good company will come together, just like in the South of France.

Private French Lessons

Beyond the Textbook: Exploring History, Art, & Culture

Winter group courses at the Alliance Française de Louisville are now in full swing and we couldn't be happier with the turnout! Laurent has been leading classes for both children and adults, from beginners just discovering the language to advanced learners refining their fluency.

Laurent's classes go far beyond vocabulary and grammar. They're an immersive journey through French history, literature, art, and philosophy. Over the past few weeks students have explored:

📖 Annie Ernaux – The Nobel Prize-winning writer whose works capture the heart of French society.
⚔️ Joan of Arc – The legendary warrior and national heroine who shaped France’s destiny.
💡 Voltaire – The philosopher who helped shape the Age of Enlightenment.
🏛️ Systems of French Government – How the republic has evolved over time.
🎨 Henri Matisse & Claude Monet – Two of France’s most celebrated artists, whose groundbreaking styles continue to inspire the world.

What makes these courses truly special are the students themselves. We've been incredibly lucky to welcome a vibrant and diverse group of learners including writers, painters, students of law and philosophy, equestrians, and athletes. Every class brings unique perspectives, making discussions lively and enriching for everyone involved.

Whether you're looking for an immersive experience or just dipping your toes into a second language, private lessons are available. You can even form a private group and learn alongside friends or family!

📚 For those interested in joining, you can learn more here.

French Culture Corner

Carnaval de Nice 🎭🎉

Every winter, the streets of Nice burst into color, music, and celebration for the world-famous Carnaval de Nice, one of the oldest and largest carnival festivals in the world. Dating back to medieval times, the event has evolved into a breathtaking international spectacle that welcomes visitors from all corners of the globe. Historically, Carnaval was a great equalizer, a rare moment when social classes came together in disguise, blurring the lines between nobility and commoners before the solemnity of Lent.

At the heart of the festival is the Bataille de Fleurs (Battle of Flowers), a dazzling tradition unique to Nice. Intricately decorated floats parade through the city, showering the crowds with thousands of locally grown mimosas, roses, and carnations, filling the air with fragrance and marking the arrival of spring. Meanwhile, elaborate papier-mâché figures, satirical displays, and illuminated night parades fill the streets, bringing humor, artistry, and festivity to life.

Beyond the spectacle, Carnaval is about community, laughter, and embracing the joy of the moment. Whether watching the grand procession or dancing in the confetti-covered streets, visitors and locals alike come together to celebrate the spirit of Joie de vivre that defines the French Riviera.

At Ça et Là, we will be paying homage to Carnaval in our décor—a nod to the vibrant traditions of Nice, woven into the warmth and charm of our bistro. More than that, we embody this same philosophy—a place to gather, celebrate, and savor life’s little moments.

Merci Beaucoup

This journey has been shaped by the incredible support of our community. Whether we've met you at local markets, cultural events, or online, we cannot wait to bring this space to life and share it with all of you. Thank you for being a part of this adventure—we're almost there!

As a subscriber, you get early access to all the latest updates from Ça et Là but don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for extra updates and behind-the-scenes peeks!

We’d love to hear from you! If you have questions, thoughts, or feedback for the Ça et Là team, feel free to email us at caetlacafe@gmail.com.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates in our next newsletter. In the meantime, our online boutique is up and running so you can shop and browse our artisan imports. À bientôt!

C&L
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