Red Swing Coffee is set to grow again, with owners Brittney and Brandon Dukes purchasing the Lizzie’s Diner building to open another location.
While the couple will continue operating their Parrish Avenue and downtown Allen Street shops for now, they said the new site could eventually replace the downtown location.
“Right now we’re undecided,” Brittney said. “This could potentially be a third spot, but we’ve also tossed around the idea of moving our downtown location altogether. In our heart of hearts, we want to move, but we’re still giving it time before making a final decision.”
The Dukes said the property offers features they don’t have downtown, including a larger kitchen, more seating, on-site parking, and a pickup window.
“Some of the obstacles we’ve faced downtown are parking and space limitations,” Brandon said. “This gives us a bigger dining room, a better kitchen to operate, and systems in place that allow us to serve people more efficiently. Those are the same things that make our west side location so popular.”
For Lizzie’s owner Elizabeth Thompson, who recently announced she is closing the diner due to health reasons, the sale is bittersweet but meaningful.
“It has been my joy and pleasure to serve breakfast and lunch to this wonderful community,” Thompson said. “I’ve met, and become friends with, so many dear people … now it’s time for the next chapter.”
Brittney said they also hope to welcome Lizzie’s longtime customers.
“As much as we’re in the coffee game, we’re in the people game,” she said. “We’re here to serve Owensboro, and we’ll welcome Elizabeth’s customers with open arms. Hopefully, we can show them some love and give them a place they enjoy.”
The couple said the new shop will offer Red Swing’s full menu of coffee, breakfast, lunch, and desserts, while also expanding the bakery side of the business. Décor changes are expected, but the Dukes said they want to honor the legacy of Lizzie’s while making the space their own.
“We didn’t plan for this,” Brandon said. “It just felt like a divine moment. We’ve prayed about it and just keep taking steps forward. We’re excited to see what this turns into.”
