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August 30th – September 5th
Welcome back to The Louisville Plug.
Labor Day weekend is here and downtown is going to be busy. We've got WorldFest taking over the Belvedere for four days, 200+ vintage vendors on the waterfront, the KY Flea Market running all weekend, and a citywide cigar weekend for anyone wanting something slower.
Most importantly: a St. Matthews coffee shop that Autumn Sorrells has basically been running her business out of for months.
Inside this issue:
☕ The Local Rec: A welcoming St. Matthews coffee shop with great light and even better matcha via @autumnliketheszn.
⚜️ What's Happening in Lou: WorldFest, Fleur de Flea, the KY Flea Market Labor Day Spectacular, and the Louisville Smoke Out.
💸 Insider Perks: Two kitchen upgrades for anyone cooking at home this fall.
Okay, now let's get into this week. 👇
☕ The Local Rec
A Louisville local’s food rec, every week.
This week’s rec comes from:
Autumn Sorrells @ autumnliketheszn
Autumn is a Louisville content creator and the founder of Luminary Collective, a social media agency helping brands grow through authentic storytelling, content creation, and digital strategy. Originally from Western Kentucky, she's proudly called Louisville home for 7 years and even claimed a 502 number to prove it. Beyond client work, she brings the Louisville creative community together through her live event series, The Content Collective, connecting local creators and business owners in person. When she's pointing you somewhere in this city, it's because it actually earned it. Follow her at @autumnliketheszn and the agency at @luminarycollectivelou.
Their Rec: Phalcha Coffee
Why they love it:
"My go-to spot for the last 6 months has been Phalcha Coffee in St. Matthew’s for breakfast / lunch. I live in the area and Phalcha has been like my part-time office space”
“I actually hosted an event there back in January! Priya is one of the owners and she’s the absolute best. They’ve created a beautiful, welcoming space and I love the natural lighting.”
“In my favorite corner spot on the second floor!”
The go-to order:
“I switch up my go-to orders between a house drip coffee with oat milk & a blueberry scone OR an iced unsweet matcha & their classic avocado toast - I don’t know what they put on the toast but it’s the perfect combination of savory & sweet.”
Iced unsweet matcha and vibes
Be sure to follow Autumn and the Luminary Collective on Instagram. Don’t be scared to say hi if you see her in her corner on the second floor, just make sure to say we sent you. 😄
⚜️ What’s Happening in Lou?
We curate 4 events worth your time each week.
🗓️ Friday, September 4th – Monday, September 7th | Fri-Sun 11am – 11pm / Mon 11am – 8pm
📍 The Belvedere, Riverfront Plaza
💸 Free
Louisville's biggest international festival takes over the Belvedere for the full Labor Day weekend, drawing more than 150,000 people over four days. Three entertainment stages run international, national, regional, and local performers straight through, with nearly 150 vendors selling art, merchandise, food, and drinks. There's a Global Village walking you through cultures from around the world and a Children's International Activity Zone for the kids.
The food is the real draw. West African stews, Bosnian cevapi, Vietnamese pho, Mexican antojitos, and Indian curries all within a few steps of each other. The weekend also includes an official U.S. Naturalization Ceremony welcoming more than 100 new Americans as citizens. Free to walk in, right downtown on the river, and open to all ages.
🗓️ Saturday, September 5th | Starting at 10am
📍 Waterfront Plaza at Waterfront Park
💸 Free
Over 200 vendors from across the country set up along the Ohio River with vintage clothing, antiques, collectibles, repurposed furniture, art, records, and jewelry. Add food trucks and pop-up shops and you've got one of the largest free markets in the region for a Saturday morning of digging around.
Best part is the timing. WorldFest is happening just up the riverfront the same weekend, so you can browse the market in the morning and walk over for lunch without moving your car. Bring cash and give yourself a few hours.
🗓️ Friday, September 4th – Monday, September 7th | Daytime, all four days
📍 Kentucky Exposition Center, Phillips Ln
💸 Free admission / Parking $10 ($5 with purchase)
One of Kentucky's largest flea markets runs all four days of the holiday weekend at the Expo Center. Hundreds of booths packed with antiques, collectibles, jewelry, clothing, crafts, and vintage finds, all indoors and air conditioned.
Free to walk in and $5 to park if you buy anything, so there's basically no barrier to checking it out. It's also the smart backup plan if the weather turns on you this weekend and the outdoor festivals get washed out.
🗓️ Thursday, September 3rd – Sunday, September 6th | Times vary by event
📍 Multiple venues throughout Louisville
💸 Ticketed, varies by event (21+)
If the festival crowds aren't your speed this weekend, here's a different kind of Labor Day. The Louisville Smoke Out runs four days across multiple venues with premium cigars, curated experiences, and live entertainment.
It's a slower, more adult way to spend the long weekend, and a nice counterprogram to everything happening downtown. Check the schedule since each event is ticketed separately and prices vary.
💸 Insider Perks
Exclusive deals only for Louisville Plug readers.
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The cookware the world's best chefs actually cook on, and millions of home cooks swear by, is at its lowest prices of the year. Made In's End of Season Sale is live now, up to 40% off professional-grade cookware, knives, and full sets.
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— The Louisville Plug