Mayor Mike Johnston clocked in behind the counter during the lunch hour to help serve meals as part of his initiative to stimulate business along Colfax during Bus Rapid Transit construction by doing stints as a guest server.
“It was great,” Johnston says of the experience. “You can see they’ve got very loyal customers who come here every day.”
Bourbon Grill, which is owned by Lien Vo, blends Louisiana inspiration with items like egg rolls and spicy noodles. The spot has been a mainstay on Colfax for twenty years, opening in 2002 and moving to its current location at 571 East Colfax Avenue in 2017.
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Keeping businesses like Vo’s going through the BRT project is the name of the game for Johnston, who believes BRT will be great for the city but knows construction is tough. The goal is to establish a frequent, fast bus route in the middle of Colfax, where the popular 15 and 15L lines currently serve over 20,000 passengers per day.
In the meantime, though, businesses have reported losses from construction as fencing and torn-up streets and sidewalks make it difficult for patrons to navigate the street and get to the stores and restaurants.
Bourbon Grill was the first to take Johnston up on his offer to help out as a way to attract customers.
The whole lunch service crew at Bourbon Grill on April 16, including Mayor Mike Johnston.
Catie Cheshire
“She is just an irrepressibly positive spirit who loves the city, loves her neighborhood, wants to see it succeed,” Johnston says of Vo.
That positive spirit is catching, and most of Bourbon Grill’s tables were full during Johnston’s time at the restaurant.
“I loved it,” the mayor says. “I learned a lot, met some great people and also hopefully raised awareness to say 'Colfax is open.' We want everyone to come back and visit the businesses here.”
Johnston will step behind the bar at the 99ers Sports Bar at 909 East Colfax from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 25 for his next stop.
