Commercial Progress Report

Tropical Paradise

An enterprising couple brings Cancun to the bayou. 

By Lisa Hanchey
Wednesday, March 30, 2011

It’s the best non-advertised secret in Cajun Country. Right off I-10 at the Henderson exit lies Cajun Palms RV Resort, a sprawling full-service campground with three swimming pools (one with a swim-up bar),  three beverage bars, two stocked ponds, an 18-hole putt-putt golf course, a huge conference center, convenience store, two video game rooms, video poker, a band/DJ stage and lots of palm trees (naturally). Guests traverse the 40-acre site on golf carts, with paths leading to the popular restaurant Crawfish Town USA for dining or takeout. When patrons have the envie to cook themselves, they can go right next door to Crawfish Town’s new Fresh Market, featuring seafood, specialty meats, area produce and adult beverages.

Boomin’ On the Blvd.

Shopping center boasts diverse mix of new, old tenants.

By Lisa Hanchey

It’s been a banner year for On the Boulevard, the retail/restaurant/business mecca prominently located at Johnston Street and Arnould Boulevard. Owned by Edward “Brother” Abdalla, this well-maintained strip mall, anchored by Brother’s on the Boulevard, has experienced an explosion in business not seen since the oil boom days of the late ’70s-early ’80s.

Of the six new added spaces, five are already filled. Just inked is Naked Pizza, a New Orleans-based pizza chain serving healthy take-out and delivery pies. This fast-growing franchise features all-natural pizzas enhanced with pre- and pro-biotics, multi-grain products and more protein. Compared to regular pizza, Naked Pizza’s pies have fewer calories, less fat and better taste. Naked Pizza’s On the Boulevard location is planning a soft opening on Feb. 25.

Also new to the Boulevard is Casey & Casey Auto Title Express. The largest auto title company in Louisiana, Casey & Casey has been around since 1957. Casey & Casey is the first privately owned electronic public license tag agency in Louisiana and the first online with the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

Other recent tenants include Victoria Nails, Quest Diagnostics, Smoothie Factory (locally owned by triathlete Russell Bex), The IceGators and Wildcatters’ offices and Play N Trade. Moving into the space formerly occupied by a physical therapy group is Letterle Chiropractic Clinic. Popular restaurant Jason’s Deli just renewed its lease through 2020.

Why the sudden surge in business on the Boulevard? Location, location, location. “We are located between the Grand Theater and the Camellia Boulevard bridge, which seems to be a hot-hot part of Johnston Street,” says Abdalla.
Most important, customers are drawn to the covered outdoor shopping area and wide promenade. Christmas lights are left up year-round to give the shopping area a festive look. “Customers like being able to walk down the sidewalk and hearing the music while they shop,” Abdalla says.

Close proximity to the UL Lafayette, Lafayette High School and local hospitals is another bonus for consumers. Students frequent Jason’s Deli for its diverse menu and quick cafeteria-style service. Area hospitals and law firms use Jason’s delivery option on a regular basis. “They serve such a variety of food, and are open seven days a week,” Abdalla observes. “It’s well-priced, and the quality of the food is good.”

And, having Hershey’s Ice Cream with Great American Cookies on site provides a great snack break for local patrons. “His [owner Tye Hebert] sales have increased dramatically because he is one of the only ones in the country who has Hershey’s Ice Cream, which is a premium ice cream, along with the Great American Cookies, which used to be only located in Acadiana Mall,” Abdalla says.

This year, anchor tenant Brother’s On the Boulevard is celebrating its 35th year. Since 1976, Brother’s has been a leader in fashion clothing for men and women. After consolidating with its location at Acadiana Mall, the Boulevard store expanded to almost 10,000 square feet. Abdalla plans to celebrate the anniversary with a big bash in November. “It’s the only place that sells clothing, shoes accessories and gifts for women and men,” Abdalla says. “We have had grandparents to grandchildren who shop here. Couples can come in and both shop.

Other long-term tenants include Greenwood Shoes, Style America by Regis Corporation, Wild Birds Unlimited, owned by Jack and Rose Must, and Caroline & Company, owned by Charlotte Cryer. “She’s (Cryer) got almost 1,500 square feet and was recently named best gift store,” Abdalla embellishes. “She started in a small space and expanded into three spaces, and does an unbelievable business. She’s a very smart, savvy, good businesswoman and has a very loyal following.”

Forward-thinking fashionistas enjoy shopping at The Clothing Loft, a consignment shop carrying high-end and couture clothing for women and boutique clothing for children.

Currently, On the Boulevard has four spaces available ranging from 1,709 square feet to 3,834 square feet. Two potential tenants are already eyeing this prime property. The center’s total square footage is 64,666.

“We’re lucky,” Abdalla says. “We’re competitively priced, and we’re centrally located. Johnston Street is still probably the most economic street there is.”

Trynd-Setter

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Nidal Balbeisi raises the bar with his latest downtown venture. By Lisa Hanchey

When entrepreneur Nidal Balbesi started expanding his restaurant empire downtown, he always had his eye on the 1916 Masonic Lodge building on Vermilion Street next door to his cantina and grill, Agave. “It is one of the most beautiful buildings in Lafayette,” he says. “I have always admired that building.”

At the time, Stan Lerille owned the former lodge, opening a casual eatery and young adult nightclub, Stan’s. But, Lerille was growing weary of the nightclub business, and started discreetly looking for a buyer. In December 2009 Balbesi learned of Lerille’s interest in selling the historic two-story building. “It was one of those spontaneous things,” Balbesi says. “Stan was in the market to sell, and we had a friend who asked me if I would like to buy it. I told him, ‘I would love to! In a heartbeat!’” That same evening, Balbesi and Lerille sealed the deal.

Lagniappe Antiques

Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Written by Lisa Hanchey

The old Domingue Motors in downtown Breaux Bridge undergoes a dramatic transformation.

For 30 years, the former Domingue Motors auto dealership building was referred to as the “biggest eyesore” in downtown Breaux Bridge. Now, the 17,000-square-foot abandoned space has been transformed into a thriving market filled with antiques, collectibles and art, a unique auto-themed restaurant and a versatile event space.

Jennifer Casanova, general manager of Lagniappe Antiques

Owners David Buck and his daughter, Heather Indest, envisioned an antique mall when they purchased the building a year and a half ago. For the transformation, they enlisted Jennifer Casanova, former owner of Casanova Antiques and Interiors in her native Crowley, who was decorating restaurants in Destin, Fla., at the time. Under Casanova’s guidance, the vacant space was partitioned and converted into booths for antique dealers. Interspersed with the cubbies are end caps for artists to display their wares. Casanova convinced the owners to keep the painted brick walls and concrete floors to maintain the integrity of the building.

Lagniappe Antiques opened in October 2009. The business boasts 60-plus dealers from all areas of Louisiana, carrying the full gamut of antiques, including European and Louisiana furniture, primitive pieces, garden items, slot machines, jukeboxes, victrolas, vintage clothing, furs and jewelry, and china and crystal. Among the more unique pieces are a country store sliding ladder, a set of massive doors and windows from the Latin Quarter in Egypt and a large wooden legal file cabinet from Todd Fusilier of Blue Blood Antiques in Bunkie. Some merchants from the former Jefferson Street Market have relocated to Lagniappe, including Flip Flop, Vieux Carré and Brian Miller Photography of New Orleans. Artwise, the gallery showcases works from members of the Louisiana Crafts Guild, and paintings and giclées from other artists. Casanova encourages merchants to “stir the pot” so that customers can see something new on every visit.

Store mascot Sophie, an adorable Shitzu/poodle mix, greets customers inside. Funky music plays in the background, creating a relaxing atmosphere for treasure hunters. Across from the main entrance is a bar with complimentary coffee and fresh lemonade. In the middle of the floor is a grand piano, where customers can gather around musicians for sing-alongs.

In the former showroom space, Lagniappe holds classes in art, including stained glass, mosaics and pottery, as well as dance lessons in Cajun, Zydeco and Zumba. This room is also available for private parties, receptions and performances.

Brand new to the building is a bar and restaurant, Buck & Johnny’s Pizzeria, named after the owners, David Buck and Johnny Raymond. The eatery seats 140 diners. Using her restaurant décor know-how, Casanova maintained the car theme by incorporating diamond plate stainless steel at the front counter, bar and booth inserts. Vintage signs from Sinclair, Texaco-Gulf and Marathon Oil deck the walls. Old buckets and oil cans were recycled as accessories and plant holders. Upstairs is a balconied dining space, which can be reserved for private events. An outdoor courtyard is also available for al fresco dining.

Morgan Angelle, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of New Orleans, serves as executive chef. She created an Italian menu with “a little bit of Cajun influence” featuring unique appetizers, including garlic knots and marinara, roasted steak fries with bacon blue cheese and crawfish baked crustini with pink remoulade. Buck & Johnny’s offers a sandwich special during lunch and a pasta or pizza special in the evenings. Partner Patrick Poupart provides the bread, desserts and pizza dough from Poupart Bakery in Lafayette, and Poche’s Market in Breaux Bridge supplies the meats. From the bar, customers can order specialty draft beers including LA-31 Bière Pâle, bottled beer and imports, or wines by the bottle or glass from an impressive list compiled by General Manager Ryan Hebert. In the future, the restaurant plans to offer catering, wine dinners and drink specials. “Ryan and I are really excited to be here in Breaux Bridge,” Angelle says. “We have a whole plan with the food and events.”

Lagniappe Antiques and Buck & Johnny’s are open every day but Monday. Buck & Johnny’s serves lunch from 11 a.m. -2 p.m., and dinner on Tuesday and Thursday from 5-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5-11 and Sunday from 5-9.