740 Front blends history, contemporary vibe

LOUISVILLE — Like any typical 70-year-old, Fred Burns has an inexhaustible storehouse of stories to tell. It’s not surprising, therefore, that his restaurant, located in a 116-year-old building that has been designated a historical landmark, has its tales to tell as well. As noted on 740 Front’s website, “the partition walls, ceilings, floors and fixtures all have a story.”

But Burns, whose 45-year career in the restaurant business is chock full of new concepts that prospered, doesn’t just bask in the past. He knows that to stay relevant, 740 Front can’t just embrace its history as…