Lafayette experiencing renewed retail vigor. By Leslie Turk
With retail sales in the first quarter of this year besting last year by 9.6 percent, developers and investors believe the economic pendulum is back on the upswing.
Lafayette experiencing renewed retail vigor. By Leslie Turk
With retail sales in the first quarter of this year besting last year by 9.6 percent, developers and investors believe the economic pendulum is back on the upswing. And their confidence in the numbers is fueling another cycle of retail expansion. As reported in this month's ABiz cover story "What's on the Horizon," the following retail concepts - with new information on their status - are either expanding their existing operations or being introduced to the Lafayette market:
1. Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches - Winnwood center on Johnston next to Aveda (planned opening Sept. 1)
2. Bullrito's - Shops at Martial on Kaliste Saloom (now open)
3. Academy - Stirling Lafayette center on Louisiana Avenue at I-10
4. Dean-O's Pizza - second Lafayette location in the former Case Olé on Kaliste Saloom (opening Sept. 1)
5. Hainam - second Acadiana location of Abbeville Chinese concept; opening September to right of Walk-On's on Kaliste (if facing sportsbar)
6. Pizza Village - second location on other side of Walk-On's (opening early 2012)
7. Burlington Coat Factory - in old Kmart on Ambassador (plans submitted for demo and façade work)
8. Elephant Room - entertainment and bar relocating to former Bella Notte near Marcello's Wine Market Café in July (concept for old spot not yet announced)
9. Cochon - opening in September on Vermilion River in River Ranch
10. POUR - self-serve wine; sister concept to Village Café, both in River Ranch's Town Square (now open)
11. La Marquis - upscale department store in Parc Lafayette development off Kaliste Saloom Road (plans under review)
12. Rooms to Go - Florida-based furniture store under construction at site of old Marshall's Nursery on Ambassador near mall (opening early 2012)
13. Poupart's - second Lafayette location in Gordon Square on Jefferson Street (now open)
14. Carpe Diem! Gelato-Espresso Bar - ground level of Juliet Hotel on Jefferson Street (opening this summer)
15. Genterie Supply Co. - men's clothing store next to French Press on Vermilion Street (now open)