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Tonya Godsey Lowe and Her Family Bistro Receives Multiple Honors for Quality Service, and Heartfelt Community Efforts

  • Writer: Davron Bowman
    Davron Bowman
  • Oct 7
  • 3 min read

Louisville’s culinary scene has a shining star in Tonya Godsey Lowe, the warm, upbeat owner of Blondie’s & Jim’s Bistro in the Norton Commons community. In May 2025, Louisville Business First named Blondie’s & Jim’s a Family Business Awards “Small Business of the Year” honoree—a testament to Tonya’s heart-first leadership and the bistro’s growing impact on its neighborhood.


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From Family Roots to a Health-Conscious Bistro

Blondie’s & Jim’s honors Tonya’s parents—Blondie and Jim—and the recipes and traditions passed down through her family. The bistro blends Southern-inspired comfort food with a health-conscious twist, shaped by Tonya’s 16+ years in health and wellness. As she puts it, the goal is simple: make food that makes people happy and healthy—with real ingredients, mindful techniques, and flavor that never feels like a compromise.


A Menu That Nourishes (Without Losing the Joy)

Signature items reflect that balance between comfort and care. The Blueberry Goat Cheese Toast—with multigrain bread, whipped goat cheese, honey, fresh blueberries, and a hint of lavender—has become a guest favorite. The Chicken Bacon Ranch Panini delivers classic, savory satisfaction made with thoughtfully prepared proteins. Weekend brunch brings warm Southern staples like Chicken & Waffles, crafted with attention to technique so you can enjoy the tradition without the heaviness.


Tonya’s approach reaches the glass, too: the bistro’s scratch-made lemonades are naturally sweetened and occasionally infused with wellness-forward touches (think mango-passion fruit notes and a dash of turmeric). It’s all part of a bigger philosophy—food and drink should uplift body and spirit.


Community Involvement That Feels Like Family

Blondie’s & Jim’s is as much a community space as it is a restaurant. Tonya hosts monthly cooking classes with a focus on gut health—often inviting local health professionals to deepen the learning. The bistro regularly supports neighborhood happenings and has hosted lively special events and themed pop-ups—right down to good-old-fashioned fish fry nights that bring people together around the table.


Tonya’s presence in the dining room—checking in, sharing ingredient stories, and celebrating milestones with guests—helps turn regulars into extended family.


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“Keep It Spicey”: Tonya’s Bourbon-Smoked Seasonings

Beyond the bistro, Tonya is the founder of Keep It Spicey, a gourmet seasoning line developed through years of testing and craft. The blends are smoked with bourbon barrel staves, creating distinctive depth that home cooks can use to elevate vegetables, chicken, seafood, and more—without leaning on fillers or excess salt. The mission mirrors the bistro’s: make healthier cooking accessible, flavorful, and fun.


A Second Honor: 2025 Global Recognition Award™

In 2025, Tonya received a Global Recognition Award™ highlighting her dual impact as a culinary entrepreneur and community educator. Judges cited the accessibility of her bourbon-smoked blends, her emphasis on health-forward home cooking, and her monthly classes as reasons for the honor. It’s a well-deserved nod to the way she blends product innovation with genuine neighborhood care.


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The Heart Behind It All

If you’ve met Tonya, you know: she’s warm, loving, upbeat, considerate, and deeply grounded. That spirit infuses everything—how dishes are built, how guests are greeted, how the community is welcomed in. The Family Business Award recognition simply confirms what regulars already feel: Blondie’s & Jim’s is special because it’s powered by a family—and a leader—who believes food can nourish both body and soul.


If you’re nearby, stop in for a meal, sign up for a class, or bring friends to a special event. And if you can’t make it soon, follow along on social or order for pickup. Every bit of support helps this joyful, community-rooted kitchen keep doing what it does best: feeding Louisville with love.

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