For the past three years, the smell of barbecue has drifted across the corner of South 15th and West Oak streets in Louisville’s Park Hill neighborhood.
Louisville Smokers BBQ, a small carryout spot known for its rib tips and brisket, has built a loyal following there. Owner Douglas Crocker said via FaceTime on a recent weekday that conditions on the corner have improved enough for him to remove the thick iron-mesh screen covering the kitchen windows and install regular double-paned glass. He and his sister, Veda, who co-owns the restaurant, are also working toward opening a second location.
The changes reflect what Crocker describes as a growing sense of security in a neighborhood where gunfire had risen in recent years…