April 29, 2022
Opportunity Machine celebrates permanent home in downtown Lafayette
Read Clair Taylor’s article for The Acadiana Advocate here.
September 13, 2022
Celebrating Downtown Business’ Milestones
Downtown is the place where Acadiana comes to celebrate culture AND do business! Here at Downtown Lafayette Unlimited our goal is to help orchestrate these celebrations. Not only are we celebrating our community this fall with events such as Downtown Alive! and ArtWalk but over the past month, we have celebrated new ownership of beloved historic buildings as well as 10-year business milestones and more!
We celebrated the ribbon cutting and grand opening of Esprit de Coeur, a historic property in Downtown Lafayette dating back to 1891. The property was once known as the Mouton House, and has since been changed into a Private Events facility. The open floor plan on the bottom floor of the house can accommodate social groups up to (140) guests, meetings and plated dinners sitting roughly (65-70). The interior has been recently updated with chandeliers, elegant colors, and a beautiful mirrored bar. Sleeping rooms available for guests upstairs as well. Showing their support to the downtown community Senator Gerald Boudreaux, Representative John Stefanski, President and CEO of LEDA Mandi Mitchell, Councilwoman Nanette Cook, and downtown Councilman Glenn Lazard attended the event. We are proud to showcase this beautiful, historic space and celebrate Ravi Daggula, Dr. Kalyan Veerina, and Robert Autin’s investment in Downtown Lafayette. Thank you for bringing Esprit de Coeur back to life!
Adorn celebrated their 10th anniversary this past month. Located in the Gordon Square building, this boutique features unique, handcrafted jewelry made by owner and designer, Adrian Guidry, as well as clothing and gifts. ADORN moved to Downtown Lafayette 5 years ago, and since then Guidry has enjoyed partaking in teaching jewelry making at Acadiana Center for the Arts & Lafayette Public Library, as well as participating in events like ArtWalk, Sunday Brunch, and Downtown Alive! As a member of the Louisiana Crafts Guild and a Festival International artist for several years, Guidry explained having her business downtown “just made sense.” We couldn’t agree more, and are so happy to have Adrian and her studio a part of our community. Congratulations on 10 years, ADORN!
Many community members joined us for The Gauthier House open house! Located at 1011 Lee Avenue, this beautifully renovated and historic property will serve as Downtown Lafayette’s newest overnight accommodation for visitors, business colleges, and even Acadiana “staycationers.” Owner, Jason Broom, decided to convert The Gauthier House to create a short-term rental property that could cater to large groups visiting the area for events such as weddings, conventions, and graduations. Downtowns are typically the most popular lodging destination for travelers, and having a short-term rental of this character and caliber will assist in driving visitors to stay, shop, eat, and play downtown. Welcome to the neighborhood Gauthier House, we’re happy to have you and excited to welcome all the new downtown visitors!
Root Floral Design also celebrated their 10th Anniversary this past month. Founded in 2012 by owner and designer, Mia Sandberg, what started off as a small flower shop grew into something spectacular. A professional team specializing in wedding, event, and everyday floral design. In addition to floral design, Root opened a small storefront filled with gifts and trendy home decor back in May 2021. Mia and her team commemorated this huge milestone surrounded by family and friends at their downtown location. We couldn’t be happier to have Root Floral Design as a neighbor and a part of this community. Congratulations, Mia!
We are excited to welcome Holly & Smith Architects to the neighborhood. Founded in 1980, Holly & Smith Architects is a full-service professional architecture corporation providing sustainable, regionally responsive architecture, master planning, and interior design. Both Michael Holly and Jeffrey Smith, founders of H/S, studied at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette. Since then, they have turned Holly & Smith Architects into a renowned, award-winning, regional design firm with offices in Hammond, New Orleans, and now returning to their roots with a new office in Downtown Lafayette. Welcome home, Holly & Smith!
Downtown Lafayette Unlimited (DLU) proudly celebrates our businesses and all of their milestones. This only furthers our mission as the nonprofit organization tasked with supporting business growth and marketing the downtown district! Want to schedule a ribbon-cutting, grand opening, or milestone celebration with DLU? Contact janie@downtownlafayette.org
April 7, 2022
From pigeon poop to luxury pools: See how former courthouse is transformed into apartments
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricanes Laura and Delta impacted the construction, the developers behind the old federal courthouse redevelopment in Downtown Lafayette knew the project would take a lot of work. J. Dyke Nelson, the architect behind the project, said he had to wear a hazmat suit the first time he came out and saw the property.
March 4, 2022
50 from Perficient’s bootcamp aimed at underserved communities get hired on
Perficient, a digital consulting firm with an office in downtown Lafayette, hired 50 graduates from its training bootcamp held last fall.The second Bright Paths Program, an initiative designed to advance STEM education and career opportunities for underrepresented constituencies and communities, was offered at its Lafayette and Detroit locations. Students completed software engineering coursework, learned about the consulting business, connected with mentors, and engineered their own innovative applications, company officials announced Thursday.
January 6, 2022
SchoolMint to move to temporary location downtown, could have permanent space this month
SchoolMint will move into a temporary space in downtown Lafayette and could soon land a permanent home possibly later this month. Company CEO Bryan MacDonald said the company will move into the first floor of the Lemoine building, 214 Jefferson St., and hopes to have employees working there on Feb. 1.
March 29, 2021
‘Women do make things better’: Hub City Cycles, Hawk’s Boil Up owner puts business intuition to work
In the blistering summers of Acadia Parish, Meg Arceneaux would watch her grandfather sit in his truck and go about business telling others what to do. She was fascinated with how he operated his work, hoping to one day own her own business.
March 5, 2021
Big Six: Who are the companies driving Acadiana’s recovery?
As Acadiana recovers from the economic downturn brought on by COVID-19 and flagging oil and gas prices, the region will likely rely on a few key businesses to help spearhead the recovery.
March 5, 2021
Vestal to open in Downtown Lafayette in early April
Vestal, the planned live fire concept restaurant in downtown Lafayette owned by award-winning Lafayette chef Ryan Trahan, will open in early April, he said. Trahan announced on Facebook Thursday he is accepting applications online to staff the restaurant, which will be at 555 Jefferson St. in the former Antlers location.
January 29, 2021
Previous Home of Don’s Seafood in Downtown Lafayette Finds New Ownership
Since the iconic Don’s Seafood in Downtown Lafayette closed in 2020, there has been a lot of curiosity about what would happen to the building. Since the 1930s, the restaurant was a staple of the district and a favorite dining destination for locals and visitors. Wonder no more.
