Health club magnate Red Lerille and his daughter Kackie Lerille today purchased the historic Borden’s ice cream shop in downtown Lafayette. The last remaining retail ice cream store in the Borden’s chain, Lafayette’s distinctly deco building opened in 1940. While Borden’s owns the corporate trade name, the UL Foundation owned the property and building, which is bounded by Jefferson, Johnston and Convent streets.
“Daddy and I had always talked about Borden’s,” says Kackie, “and we approached the Foundation. Between Borden’s and the university, they thought we were a good fit.”
Kackie says she plans to “keep it Borden’s” with a little sprucing up, maybe a few counter stools, and a lot of lessons from 48-year employee Ella Meaux. Kackie is also imagining a patio out front, a drive-thru, and a coffee urn inside. Her first act as owner? “A scoop of cherry vanilla,” she says. “My favorite."