Frozen Pirogue to Open in East Bank

Bayou Axe Co. and BeauxJax partner to offer oysters and southern faves

Betsy St. Amant Haddox

The East Bank District is about to get a delicious new addition. Bayou Axe Co. and BeauxJax Crafthouse are partnering together to open The Frozen Pirogue – the first local spot to offer specialty oysters alongside custom daiquiris.

Co-owner Beau Hays is looking forward to the grand opening this fall. “We should have everything ready to go by September 2019,” Hays predicted. They will be located at 515 Barksdale Blvd. in Bossier City.

“We’ll have a wide selection of oysters and a variety of southern favorites for those who aren’t a fan of seafood,” Hays said. There will also be an extensive line-up of daiquiri flavors on the “wall.”

Patrons will be able to watch the chefs chargrill the oysters right in front of them. There will be at least eight different types of oysters, redfish, biscuits and gravy, seafood-stuffed avocados, and signature daiquiris – to name a few. Guests will also enjoy frequent live music on the patio.

The Frozen Pirogue came about after “Peanut” and Beau Hays, co-owners of BeauxJax Crafthouse, wanted to offer oysters but didn’t necessarily want to change up the menu at their current haunt. The perfect solution? Offer a new venue, wading into the depths of southern seafood at its finest – and partner alongside Doug Rodgers and the Goodmans from Bayou Axe Co.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to get involved with our neighbors, Bayou Axe Co,. and continue to grow the East Bank District,” Hays said.

A pirogue is a long, narrow canoe made from a single tree trunk, usually found in Central America and the Caribbean. They plan to serve a half-dozen oysters on the half-shell in a 12-inch pirogue, loaded with ice. The Frozen Pirogue is the perfect, salty name for a tasty new addition to Shreveport-Bossier.

“What continues to grow our business is our ability to connect with our guests,” Hays said. “We’re so blessed by the support of our community, and we want to continue to give them options to have a great time.”

For more information on the grand opening or menu options, please visit https://www.facebook.com/frozenpirogue/.

Lyons’ Pride Coffee

Enjoy the taste, the aroma, with good company

Betsy St. Amant Haddox

Peter Lyons, the owner of Lyons’ Pride Coffee, loves not only providing his customers with delicious coffee, but with an entire coffee experience.

“I sell fresh roasted coffee and some homebrew Cody systems,” Lyon said. But that’s not all. Lyons is looking to expand his products to please an even broader local palate. “This fall, we’re excited to be launching a new tea line,” Lyons said.

Since January 2019, Lyons’ Pride Coffee has been available in C&C Mercantile and Lighting on 2430 Line Ave. Lyons, a native of Bossier City, spent some time in the late 1990s in Los Angeles learning about harvesting coffee.

“We have many great places in the area for coffee, but my educational approach is what I think sets me apart,” Lyons said. “It isn’t just a place to get coffee, it’s a place you discover coffee and begin that journey with friends. My favorite part of my job is finding practical solutions to enhance someone’s coffee experience.”

Currently, Lyons assists guests with their coffee journey on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at C&C. “If you haven’t had a coffee or tea class with me, you should come in and see me in action!” Lyons said.

With so many quality coffee options to choose from, it’s hard to pick a favorite. There’s the Lumberjack Blend, Chicory Treat, Morning Medicine, French Roast, Iced Coffee Blend, Espresso Blend and Red River Blend, to name a few. “The single origin Ethiopian Ardi is probably my current favorite coffee, but ideally in cooler weather,” Lyons said. “Also, the spicy French hot chocolate is amazing!” For more information, find them on Facebook at LyonsPride Coffee or visit them at www.lyonspridecoffee.com.

Music Garage Born to Rock

Remington Suite Hotel and Prize Fest create live music venue

Mallori Sanders

Prize Fest season is always full of surprises. However, even the team behind the Music Prize Garage – the Remington Hotel and Prize Fest – was a little shocked that they were able to debut an entirely new venue in downtown Shreveport with only 10 days to prepare. According to Jen Guess, front office manager for the Remington Suite Hotel & Spa, it was up to hotel staff to even out the pitted parking lot, power wash and deep clean. In fact, the Remington called in back-up in the form of department manager Indira Monge, who was on maternity leave at the time. Monge worked behind the scenes cleaning, stocking and furnishing the venue while Remington staff and the Prize Fest team prepared for one of the biggest nights in downtown Shreveport: Music Prize.

On June 20, the former Goodyear Tire Store located behind the Remington was magically transformed into the Music Prize Garage. The lovechild of Remington owner Newt Dorsett and Prize Fest Executive Director Gregory Kallenberg, the Music Prize Garage housed over 200 attendees for performers *repeat repeat, Airpark, Star Chamber and Astro Motel.

The Music Prize Garage was not a one-shot deal, however. According to Guess, the venue will not only be home to all official Music Prize events, but will serve as a venue for inhouse hotel events as well.

“Downtown Shreveport has a great need for a smokefree, all-ages event space, and the Garage surely has the potential to fill that!” While Guess is unsure if the all-ages aspect will apply to all events in the Garage, she does “anticipate great opportunities to serve the local music scene and fans of all ages in the future.”

Everyone involved in the Music Prize Garage has high hopes that it will change the face of music venues in our city. Kallenberg believes the Garage has the potential to put Shreveport on the map. “I absolutely believe we are taking the first step to creating an essential stop for touring bands and a showcase stage for our amazing, burgeoning band scene. This venue is an important building block to continue putting a spotlight on Shreveport as a creative capital!”

Homing In At East Bank

Louisiana Home Center is opening its new location in Bossier on Aug. 1

Betsy St. Amant Haddox

Louisiana Home Center offers a variety of products needed to remodel or build a new home. “If a kitchen or bath remodel is in your future, you must come by our new showroom and see DeWils custom cabinetry,” said David Bliss, owner of Louisiana Home Center. “With over 100 door styles and 12 wood species to choose from, you will definitely be able to find something that fits your lifestyle.”

Louisiana Home Center’s in-house design staff is available to assist in offering a 3D rendering of a customer’s kitchen or bath, so the homeowner can easily visualize exactly how it will look in your home.

With the new location, Louisiana Home Center will be adding unique home furnishings, decor, accessories and gifts to their quality line-up of products.

“We have it all—everything you need for a home remodel project,” Bliss said. Bliss is also grateful for his professional staff. “Most of our customers come in and pick out all of their materials, and our staff takes them through the project from start to finish.”

Louisiana Home Center carries a wide variety of brands. It’s hard to pick a favorite. “With DeWils cabinetry, it’s easy to create a dream kitchen or bathroom for anyone,” Bliss said. “Tile is always a favorite, too, with the pattern and wood plank options that are available now. Waterproof vinyl is a great alternative to tile, as well, if you are looking for a durable hard surface—it’s life-proof, as in, kid- and pet-friendly.”

“Louisiana Home Center allows me to offer a one-stop shop for customers to design their home,” Bliss said. “Whether it’s changing out the flooring or a kitchen or bath remodel. we have all the materials and design staff right here in one location.”

Louisiana Home Center is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit them at www.louisianahome.center or find them on Facebook @louisianahomecenter.

Old Broadmoor YMCA Lands New Owner

The Swim School makes a move

Mallori Sanders

Before joining the Navy and becoming a Navy SEAL, Patrick Garrett grew up playing sports and training at the Broadmoor YMCA located at 215 Carroll St. He has fond memories of this building and the time spent there with his brother. “I hated to see it sit vacant when it has so much possibility.” Garrett, who acquired ownership of the Swim School in May 2019, has now purchased the Carroll Street building, which has been empty since March 2017. The Swim School, located at 1838 Texas Ave. since 2009, will close its doors and re-open in the former Broadmoor YMCA in November 2019.

Garrett says the new location will include new additions to the Swim School curriculum. There will now be a large outdoor pool available to advanced swimmers as well as summer and holiday camps for kids. Garrett states that “having the fields, an outdoor pool and a basketball gym gives us so many options to offer kids activities other than TV and tablets that are wrecking their brains and bodies.”

The Swim School has become a staple on Texas Avenue, and the move will be an adjustment for staff and patrons alike. Hours will change to accommodate camps, and there will be a need for additional staff, but Garrett is excited for what’s to come. “We will have an opportunity to add something very positive to a lot of families in the community.” Garrett believes the Swim School will not only serve as a safe place for parents to bring their children during school breaks and the summertime but will also encourage more families in the neighborhood to learn to swim. The Swim School remains second-to-none when it comes to teaching a comprehensive curriculum that is appropriate for all ages, with teachers who value safety above all else.

Garrett believes that this is not only the right move for the Swim School, but for Shreveport as a whole. “Shreveport does not need another vacant building wasting away. This facility has so much to offer, and I am excited to try to put it back together and make it into something the community can be proud of again.”

Sandwich Shop Takes a Bow

Deli Casino to cash in its chips

Deli Casino Sandwich Shoppe owners Sam and Dayle George have decided its time to take a break from their business and enjoy retirement living. The beloved couple had formerly operated the Glenwood Grocery on Line Avenue where they developed the fantastic sandwiches that lead to the opening of Deli Casino at 637 E. Kings Highway in 1979.

On their Facebook page, the couple shared their appreciation for their many years of loyal patronage: “Thank you to all of our wonderful customers! We are deeply grateful for the friendships we have forged over the years. And cheers to the next phase of our lives! “ The Georges have always found their business a labor of love and the sandwiches they created over 40 years ago have had a long run. With catchy casino-related names such as the popular Las Vegas Special, Full House and Black Jack Supreme, they pre-dated the gaming palaces on the Red. A standout choice is the Reuben Po-boy. Served on a French roll spread with Thousand Island dressing, thinly sliced corned beef with sauerkraut, pickles and Swiss cheese, it can’t be beat. The traditional version is available on rye.

Don’t despair if you haven’t had your Deli fix recently. It will be open until Aug. 2. The owners invite friends and customers to their retirement and closing celebration during their last week, July 29-Aug. 2. Stop by and enjoy cake and memories from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. each day.

The Georges are currently enjoying the many people that are coming in for their favorite sandwiches and to wish them well. Congratulations, Sam and Dayle!