JEFFERSONVILLE — Thousands of vehicles pass through Clarksville’s Veterans Parkway on a given day, estimates restauranteur Steve Baldwin.
“Folks are here to eat and shop and go to movies,” he said. “It’s a retail hub. There’s a lot of money being spent.”
However, while there are stores and eateries aplenty, he said, he always noticed that the strip was missing two things: A burger place and a pizzeria.
Baldwin, along with a business partner, hopes to remedy that problem within the next month, as he’s opening two new restaurants in the area. Stevie B.’s Burgers and More is set to open by Friday, at the newly developed shopping center, near Wal-Mart and Interstate 65.
Then, next month, he’ll be ready to open Studio Pizza next door. Baldwin compared Stevie B.’s to WW Cousins, in that it will have a toppings bar where customers can customize their burgers. If burgers are not you’re thing, the business also offers Philly cheesesteaks, cheese chicken sandwiches, a quarter-pound chili dog, salads, hand-cut fries and fried pickles.
Studio Pizza, which is set to open by early April, will offer a different type of atmosphere with booths and concert-style lighting — on theme with the name. There’s a small stage in front of one of the windows, which he said may someday be used for either solo artists or karaoke.
Baldwin plans to decorate the dining room with his very own artwork, something in which he dabbles. It’ll seat about 110 patrons. The Chicago-style pizza will be hand-tossed. And the recipe was developed by a Toledo, Ohio, chef especially for the restaurant. It’ll also offer calzones and other Italian items. Beer and wine will be available, as well.
“It’s going to be on par with some of the better pizza places in Louisville,” he said. Though they’ll seem completely separate to customers, the two businesses actually share some kitchen space including coolers, dishwashing room and ice maker. There’s also office space included in the back of the development as well.
Baldwin is no stranger to the Clarksville restaurant scene. For the last three years, he and a business partner have operated Kansai, a Japanese steakhouse on Veterans Parkway. That business just expanded in December, adding more seating, a bar and a 40-seat private party room.
Despite the addition, he said, the restaurant is still seeing wait times on Friday and Saturday evenings and has developed a loyal following.
