Leslie Turk

Mulate's founder laid to rest today

by Leslie Turk

Popular restaurateur Goldie Comeaux, who blazed a trail by making Cajun music accessible in a family-friendly atmosphere at Mulate's in Breaux Bridge, will be laid to rest today. "She was obviously the pioneer in combining food and Cajun music together in one location," says Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission Executive Director Gerald Breaux. "She took Cajun music from the bars to the mainstream and really set the trend in having it accessible to everyone. They were the first ones to say 'bring tour groups to our area, bring travel writers.'"

The 66-year-old Comeaux, who had recently returned from a missionary trip to Honduras, died unexpectedly Saturday from complications following valve replacement surgery. The hospitality industry is in shock over her death, says Breaux, who served with Comeaux on the Acadiana Restaurant Association board and visited with her at a recent board meeting. Breaux notes that Comeaux's success in business is but a small part of the tremendous legacy she leaves: "She was active on the restaurant board, active in the community and active in her philanthropic [work]."

Funeral services are today at 1 p.m. at St. Genevieve Church.