Join us for our weekly “Rock Reflections,” a series celebrating Trinity alumni. From 48 states to countries worldwide, our graduates are making an impact, and we'll share their stories on Trinity's website and social media.
This week's profile is about Miles South '08
Miles South ’08 has built a career as a Louisville restaurateur. He is a partner in the Lou Lou Restaurant Group, whose portfolio includes three Lou Lou locations, The Fox Den in St. Matthews and Osteria Italian Seafood in Westport Village.
Miles came to Trinity from Holy Spirit Catholic School. He was already familiar with Trinity from attending algebra classes taught by the legendary Dennis Esterle H’01 as an eighth-grader.
“I liked Mr. Esterle a lot,” Miles said. “I really got to understand algebra and I fell in love with the school. Everyone I interacted with was welcoming and friendly.”
Miles participated in ultimate frisbee, intramural sports and the Ski & Snowboard Club. Additionally, he played lacrosse for four years, winning three state championships.
Trinity memories are prevalent and rich for Miles.
“I remember the Trinity-St. X football games being so much fun,” he said. “While at Trinity, I developed relationships that I still cherish today. Senior Retreat left the biggest impression. Those four days were such a special time. I attended retreat in the fall and was honored when I was asked to lead a retreat for my fellow seniors later that spring. I led two more retreats while I was a college student.”
“My time at Trinity was one of the best periods of my life,” Miles continued. “It felt like home and one big family. Everyone was welcoming and close, from students to teachers. Learning from incredible teachers was so valuable for my life going forward.
Among Miles’ favorite teachers and coaches were Pete Schroeder H’16, Mike Budniak H’11, Scott Holzknecht ’97 and Tom Dubay H’94.
“I was so fortunate to play lacrosse for Coach Schroeder and get to know him,” Miles said. “He had the same relationship with everyone, whether you were the best player on the team or rarely played. He could relate to players, and he was a great role model. He taught life lessons like determination.”
Miles had Mr. Budniak twice.
“He was hilarious, incredibly smart and had a great way of communicating complicated material,” Miles said. “I remember during his AP biology class we actually performed a knee-replacement surgery. We went with Mr. Budniak to Audubon Hospital. We put on scrubs and masks and did the knee replacement surgery on a cadaver. It was an awesome experience.”
Mr. Holzknecht also made a lasting impression.
“He was such a cool guy and had a way of relating to students,” Miles said. “I ended up minoring in philosophy in college in large part due to the passion I developed for it at Trinity. Mr. Holzknecht and Mr. Dubay instilled in me a curiosity about life’s bigger questions and encouraged me to be openminded.
Trajectory
After graduating from Trinity in 2008, Miles attended the University of Kentucky. In addition to his philosophy minor, he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance.
"My classes didn’t get challenging until my junior and senior years,” Miles said. “Trinity had me very well prepared. My finance major was in part influenced by Tom Zehnder ’63. He got me interested in how the economics of the world work.”
While in college, Miles worked at Pazzo’s Pizza in Lexington. His road to success had begun.
“I loved the pace of a restaurant,” Miles said. “It’s fast-moving, exciting and you have to think on your feet. While I never had the intention of making a career in restaurants specifically, I did always assume that I would do something in business.”
Miles returned to Louisville after graduating from UK. He started working at Mellow Mushroom Pizza in St. Matthews and continued his trajectory in the restaurant business. It was not without its challenges.
God moment
During his senior year at UK, Miles developed a dependence on pain medication that eventually led to more serious substance use.
“I lost my job at Mellow Mushroom,” Miles said. “My parents knew I was going through a difficult time. Out of love, they made the difficult decision to step back and let me face the consequences of my choices. Looking back, I’m grateful for that. It was what I needed to begin turning things around.”
For a period of time, Miles found himself without stable housing and living out of his car. After an encounter with law enforcement, he reached a moment of clarity.
“It was a God moment,” Miles said. “The officer treated me with incredible kindness. On the way downtown, we talked, and he told me he hoped to see me years later and hear that I was doing well.”
Shortly thereafter, Miles entered a rehabilitation program and began the long journey of recovery.
“I was removed from the world, sort of like Senior Retreat,” Miles said. “I focused on my myself, my relationships, my family, and my relationship with God. My only responsibility was to reflect, grow and focus on what I needed to do to move forward.”
Miles has been in recovery for 10 years. After completing rehab, he lived in a halfway house. While living there, he attended a weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meeting at Trinity, which has hosted the meeting for the community for several decades.
Meanwhile, a friend from recovery who worked at Café Lou Lou told him they had an open host position and encouraged Miles to apply.
“I took the job and just kept doing the next right thing,” Miles said. “I worked hard and it got recognized. I went from host to server to bartender to manager.”
In 2018, Miles’ eventual business partner, Jared Matthews, bought the restaurant. He approached Miles about opening a new location in the NuLu area of downtown. He jumped at the opportunity. Lou Lou on Market opened in 2022 and has been successful. A Middletown location opened in 2024.
In 2023, Miles and Jared purchased the former Napa River Grill property in Westport Village.
“We’ve always loved lots of different cuisines,” Miles said. "We love Italian seafood, and there was nothing like it in the area.”
Miles serves as Director of Operations for the restaurant group, which also includes The Fox Den in St. Matthews.
“It was surreal signing the papers to become co-owner of a restaurant,” Miles said. “Less than a decade prior, I was fresh out of rehab and had nothing going on. I took a hosting job and couldn’t have believed where it would take me. I’ve been so blessed.”
‘Trinity cultivated every good aspect of my personality’
The arresting officer re-appeared in Miles’ life. Miles was golfing at Seneca Golf Course alone one afternoon. He was paired with a man he thought looked familiar.
“We were talking, and I figured out who he was,” Miles said. “I told him he arrested me years ago. I was happy to tell him about all the blessings I’d received since being in recovery. It meant a lot to him, too.”
Miles is involved with Trinity. Osteria Italian Seafood has hosted an Alumni Business Circle luncheon and will host the Young Alumni Shamrock Society on March 23.
“Trinity helped cultivate my best character traits,” Miles said. “It taught me how to work hard and make connections with people. It prepared me for life, even the dark times. I’m extremely grateful for my time there. I have nothing but great memories.”
“I remember on Senior Retreat a friend of mine wrote ‘EWBO’ on his hand,” he continued. “It means ‘Everything Will Be Okay.’ That slogan became a motto for our senior class. I kept that with me through the tough times.”
Miles and his wife, Gracie, a Ballard High School graduate, have been married for 3 years. They have one child, Hudson, 9 months, and a golden retriever named Teddy. Gracie is a sommelier for Miles’ restaurants. She handles events and beverage programs. Outside of work, Miles enjoys mountain and rock climbing, golf and running.
Share an alumni story!
Do you know a Trinity alumnus with a compelling story? Please reach out to Travis Wagoner '90, Alumni Relations & Communications Director, at 502-736-2122 or wagoner@trinityrocks.com.
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