First location of Lexington’s all-salad restaurant has closed. Owner tells why.

The first location of a popular local all-salad restaurant is closing.

Vinaigrette Salad Kitchen announced on social media on Tuesday that its Townley Center location off Leestown Road is closing after 10 years.

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“After a wonderful 10 years in this neighborhood, we’ve made the tough decision to close the Townley location for good. We have loved serving you all and will continue to do so at our other Vinaigrette Salad Kitchens around Lexington and Louisville,” according to the post. “Our closest location is just 2.3 miles away at The Square in Downtown. Hope to see you at our other stores soon!”

Co-owner Bryce Anderson said that the restaurant closed April 19 and that all employees have been offered jobs at other locations.

“We weren’t able to renew our lease at a number that made sense financially and made the tough decision to go ahead and close. We hated to close that location since it was our first and we’ve been there 10 years,” Anderson said via email. “We loved being a part of the Meadowthorpe community and Townley area and hope those residents and businesses will come to visit us a short 2 miles away at our downtown location.”

The restaurant chain was started in 2014 by Anderson and partners Jason Thompson, Evan Morris and Jeremiah Sizemore, who were also involved in the Orange Leaf Yogurt shop that was next door.

“We’ve been looking for a healthy lunch option,” Anderson said in 2014. “If you want quick healthy food, it’s hard to find.”

The menu of salads, soups, grain bowls, lemonades and teas and icy treats was created with help from chefs Ouita Michel and Sara Gibbs. It features distinctive dressings and customizable bowls.

That made Vinaigrette a popular spot for lunch, especially for those looking for a quick option that wasn’t fast food.

There are now three locations in Lexington (one in Hamburg, one in The Square downtown and one in Palomar) and three in Louisville.

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