× Expand Beer Hall

National Provisions, the pioneering Euro-style restaurant, beer hall and grocery on Lexington’s near east side, has closed, with likely only months left as a events space before new operators take over.

“I’m very sorry because we did so much and we tried so hard,” said Krim Boughalem, who along with Andrea Sims owns the operation at the corner of Walton and National avenues.

Boughalem said the space is available for private parties and special events, but only until new owners take over.

“We have a couple people we’re talking to,” Boughalem said.

In March of this year Boughalem and Sims sold their other Lexington restaurant, downtown’s Table 310, to Daniel and Florence Marlowe. Unlike Table 310, Boughalem expects the new owners to go in a different direction.

“They’re going to do another kind of restaurant,” he said, “but they’re not going to get the name and that.”

Boughalem and Sims also started and sold Wine + Market, a neighborhood grocery they operated before moving to become a pioneer in what is now the blossoming Warehouse Block area.

Boughalem expressed disappointment and said problems with employees had gotten worse in recent years.

“The money was not so much the issue,” he said. “The number one issue was employees.”

The Herald-Leader quoted one employee as saying she had filed a complaint with the Fayette County Attorney's Office over bounced checks.

Boughalem said he was looking ahead to another possible venture producing organic wine in Kentucky.

Boughalem said National Provisions operated for about five years. At its height it included National Beer Hall beer garden and National Brasserie restaurant, the National Boulangerie bakery and coffee shop, as well as a European-style grocery.