It’s been about a half-decade since the Farmer’s Shed closed its doors on Augusta Highway opposite Lexington High School. 

Now Ben Hooker and Brandy Hashem plan to give the home of the former restaurant and market life again with a pizza and ice cream place.

Boho Pizza and Brew is looking to open later this summer, hopefully late-July or August, with construction and revitalization on the building at 2514 Augusta Hwy. ongoing. The duo plan to keep some of the rustic appeal of the former Farmer’s Shed while completing necessary structural upgrades.

The restaurant will offer artisan pizzas, beer and wine. It will also include a sweet shop offering ice creams and other treats. On the weekends, they hope to offer brunch pizzas and mimosas.

After driving by the place many times, Hooker and Hashem developed a vision of what they wanted to see there.

“Lexington just needs more places with live music and that’s kid-friendly,” said Hooker. “It sparked something inside me to do something.”

The back area of the restaurant is set to have a patio, including space for that live music, and a place for kids to play, including games and a small playground.

“I always wanted something that was family-friendly where kids can eat while the parents have a drink or two,” Hooker said, going on to describe how the idea of a pizza place came about. “What does everyone eat? Pizza. Most families want this so we thought, ‘How can we bring it together?’”

As the business partners delved more into putting the restaurant together, they learned a lot about pizza, and Hooker said he’s excited to bring something different to Lexington.

While pizza is the main entrée, sweets are also a big component of the restaurant. In the back of the space will be Lana’s Sweet Shop, named in honor of Hooker’s daughter.

“My oldest daughter passed away and it drove me to do something,” he said. “Lana’s Sweet Shop is in honor of her.”

Hooker said they will try to source whatever they can locally, whether that’s working with local bakers or serving some local beers.

The restaurant joins a couple of other businesses already neighboring the former Farmer’s Shed. On one side of the restaurant is Belly’s Southern Pride and BBQ, and on the other side is Big Oak Farms Boutique. Belly’s has been around since 2002, and Big Oak Farms boutique opened within the past year.