Inside the Block

Warehouse Block
  • 5.0 (4)
  • ARTS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

We're shining a spotlight on the vibrant businesses and and unique history of the Warehouse Block in Lexington, Kentucky! Every first and third Sunday of the month we're serving up a fun blend of inspiring, behind-the-scenes stories of the Bluegrass region's most dynamic district!

  1. 3D AGO

    Kentucky Ballet Theatre with Norbe Risco!

    Lexington's Warehouse District used to be a stretch you drove past. Now it's a destination, and Kentucky Ballet Theatre is part of why. We sit down with Norbe Risco to trace how a small, determined ballet company helped shape the neighborhood's identity, and how the neighborhood helped the company grow into a year-round cultural anchor. We dig into what's on the horizon: Ballet Spectrum 2 at the Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center, where classical meets contemporary and dancers get a rare shot at choreographing on professional artists, plus a full Don Quixote production with bold choices that spotlight strength and character. Then we go behind the curtain — six-to-seven hour training days, corps precision, injuries (including an ACL tear and a hip replacement), costumes built in-house, the "no gossip" rule that protects company culture, and Norbe's ongoing support of all things ballet. If you love the performing arts, or the real work that makes beauty look effortless, this one's for you!

    42 min

  2. APR 18

    The Infamous Chevy Chase Inn!

    A Lexington institution nearly disappeared when real estate math took over — but Chevy Chase Inn continues to survive. We sat down with CCI owners Bill Farmer of Farmers Jewelry and Kevin Heathcoat of Bourbon and Toulouse, the duo who bought one of the most iconic bars in Lexington to keep it from becoming a generic retail buildout. We dig into CCI's roots as a 1933 neighborhood dive, the legend of infamous bartenders, and the small decisions that keep the magic intact — preserving the grit, adding craft beer without losing the soul, and building a bourbon list that doesn't punish the wallets of regular people. Kevin explains why they pour Pappy at cost, how flippers warp the market, and why the best whiskey culture still looks like friends sharing a pour, not chasing trophies. We also get into the neighborhood lore: Budweiser history, Clydesdale parades down Euclid, and the cardboard signs that went viral. Plus the real rules of a great dive bar: no politics, no pretension, and the idea that you don't own a community bar, you steward it for whoever comes next. If you love Lexington history, Kentucky bourbon, and what makes a bar worth saving — this one's for you!

    50 min

  3. MAR 24

    LexEnhance with Dr. Jill!

    Wellness shouldn't feel like a guilt trip. We sat down with Dr. Jill Collins of Lex Enhance in Lexington, Kentucky — a surgeon-turned-aesthetics specialist — to talk about practical, evidence-based approaches to looking and feeling better from the inside out. We cover Exomind (transcranial magnetic stimulation for sleep, anxiety, depression, and PTSD), Emsculpt Neo body contouring, and Emsella pelvic floor rehab — plus an honest conversation about Botox alternatives, skincare fundamentals, medical weight loss, and lab-driven decision-making. The goal: more miles in your years, not just a quick fix. We also get a peek at Dr. Collins' new downtown clinic in the Warehouse Block and what's coming soon — IV bar, sauna, and steam shower included. If smart, no-nonsense wellness is your thing, this one's for you. Subscribe, share, and drop a review telling us what topic you want next.

    31 min

  4. MAR 12

    LexArts with Anthony Smallwood feat. Helena Handbasket!

    A drag persona can be a joke, a shield, a spotlight, or all three at once. We talk with Anthony Smallwood, director of development at LexArts, about what it means to build community through art and what happens when a character like Helena Handbasket grows into “someone” you have to manage, protect, and keep evolving. We start in the heart of Lexington, Kentucky with LexArts: an arts nonprofit working to make creativity and culture accessible to everyone. Anthony breaks down how fundraising really works, why donations matter, and how grant funding and community review can turn small dollars into real projects, opportunities, and beautification across the city. If you care about Lexington arts, arts education, or how local nonprofits stay alive, you’ll get a grounded look at the mechanics and the mission. Then we go behind the heels. Anthony shares the origin of his iconic persona, Helena Handbasket--from an LGBTQ advice column to a Fourth of July parade debut, plus what it takes to get ready, why he sometimes sings live, and how drag culture in Lexington has shifted over time. We also dig into drag audience etiquette, the cost and labor behind a three-minute number, and a bigger question: how do we show up as our authentic selves while still making real connections in a complicated world?

    45 min

  5. FEB 18

    Lexington Council with Hannah LeGris!

    What does it take to go from university career counselor to three-term city council member? We sat down with Lexington's Hannah LeGris to find out. Hannah walks us through the question that launched her campaign, how she built a values-first team, and what it really means to govern a district that stretches from downtown to UK's campus. We get into the nuts and bolts: how eight votes move policy, the story behind Phoenix Park's $4.6M revival, and how she steered $1.5M into Lexington's tree canopy, prioritizing the neighborhoods that need it most. Hannah also breaks down her no vote on expanding the Urban Service Boundary and makes the case for smarter infill and transit before the city grows outward. Plus: how to make local government actually accessible, managing criticism with empathy, and surviving marathon meetings. Whether you want to run for office or just make your city better--this one's your primer.

    55 min

  6. FEB 2

    Lexington Farmers Market with Josh England!

    A farmers market can change a city. Josh England, who runs Lexington's 50-year-old member-owned market, walks us through how the city shifted from fearing "messy" agriculture to embracing a vibrant Saturday scene where coffee, flowers, and conversation sit beside corn, beans, and tomatoes. He walks us through the real variables shaping your shopping list, hyper-local weather, hoop houses extending the season, and the dance between price and supply. Plus, a fun looks at "veggie trends" like kale fatigue and cabbage's comeback, with practical moves to keep costs low and flavor high. We also explore the market's strategic pivots: the move to the Warehouse Block created a welcoming weekday hub, while the Cold Brew Coffee Festival turned a late-August slump into thousands of visitors and protected farm income. As Lexington grows, Josh is eyeing winter options, expanded weekday vendors, and possible satellite markets, while partnerships with Seedleaf and FoodChain help new growers and kids connect with seasonal food.

    43 min

  7. JAN 20

    Wildfire Yoga and Wellness with Kelli Gabat!

    Kelli Gabat, owner of Wildfire Yoga and Wellness Studio, shares her journey from an 800-square-foot sublease to a thriving wellness sanctuary in the Warehouse Block. Discover how her studio blends hot yoga, slow flow, mat Pilates, and tone-and-flow classes to build strength, mobility, and calm. Kelli explains why yoga complements any fitness routine, how their four-week beginner series builds confidence, and why repetition creates moving meditation that rewires your brain. Beyond the mat, Wildfire offers red light therapy, PEMF, massage, sauna, and cold plunge for faster recovery and reduced inflammation. With an on-site smoothie bar, monthly events, and a genuine community vibe, this is where consistency meets results. Wildfire Yoga is offering major specials for first-timers this January! It's the perfect way to start your year energized and fresh.

    39 min

  8. JAN 4

    Cholera, Peanut Butter, and a Drag Happy Hour Walk Into A Bar: The Willow with Erin Goins!

    We sat down with Erin Goins, one of the spirited forces behind the Warehouse Block's The Willow, a women-led, adult-only space where wine and pop-ups make room for focus, friendship, and new ideas. Erin helped create The Willow as a place for connection and collaboration, hosting events that bring the community together in meaningful ways. Erin is also the founder of Bites of the Bluegrass, the Lexington food tour company she started from scratch. Through her tireless work, she has built a citywide love letter that connects restaurants, archives, and street corners to the people and events that shaped them. She rotates stops and scripts to keep things fresh and inclusive, celebrating Lexington's rich immigrant fabric and spotlighting stories that rarely make the marquee. Her work brings history alive through forgotten heroes, misunderstood icons, and the neighborhoods that tell the REAL story of Lexington, KY.

    46 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

We're shining a spotlight on the vibrant businesses and and unique history of the Warehouse Block in Lexington, Kentucky! Every first and third Sunday of the month we're serving up a fun blend of inspiring, behind-the-scenes stories of the Bluegrass region's most dynamic district!

Information

  • Creator
    Warehouse Block
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Inside the Block
  • Show Website
    Inside the Block

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