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HREVEPORT Magazine DERBY DAY RIDES INTO R. W. NORTON ART GALLERY An Ounce of Prevention Downtown is Looking Up Buy Local Grow Local Sparkling Myths Spring Fashion The Event List Talking Shop
Clothing Shreveport’s generations since 1989.
Inside This Issue 8
Spring Fashion
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An Ounce of Prevention
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Shreveport Derby Day
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Spring’s Best Buys
21 Buy Local, Grow Local 24 Downtown is Looking Up 30 Upcoming Events 32
Talking Shop: Local Restaurants
36 Sparkling Myths
Chris Jay
Contributing Editor
Chris Jay is a freelance writer and editor from Shreveport. He is a roving reporter for the popular New Orleans based food podcast “Louisiana Eats with Poppy Tooker” and a regular contributor to Louisiana Kitchen and Culture Magazine. He and his wife, Sara, produce a live storytelling event and podcast series called “All Y’all”, which can be streamed online at www.allyallblog.com or subscribed to in iTunes. He and Sara live in the Shreve Island neighborhood, where they enjoy walking their basset hound, hosting day-long brunches, and writing about themselves in the third person.
Mary Katherine Leslie-Van Hook Contributing Photographer
Mary Katherine L. Van Hook is a Louisiana transplant by way of Texas, South Dakota, and Switzerland. A perpetual nomad, she gets a kick out of meeting new people and illuminating their story through photography. She started asking people to pay her to take their pictures in 2012, and created Merri Katherine Photography (Merri is a play on the word merriment, get it?) in 2014. Mary Katherine specializes in showing clients that they are beautiful while laughing a little along the way.
INTERIORS
318.868.7558 Ockley Dr. Shreveport, LA
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hreveport Magazine has a long history of being a benchmark of Shreveport business and lifestyle since its original run in 1919. While, we are not affiliated with the former Shreveport Magazine in any way, we hope to reignite its tradition of highlighting amazing businesses, events, and individuals in our city. Shreveport currently finds itself in a wonderfully exciting time of challenges, growth, and opportunity. Our desire is to become a platform for increased knowledge and support of great things happening locally. Shreveport abounds with amazing businesses doing amazing things. Supporting and building these businesses is more important today than it has ever been before. We hope to be a tool for the movement of progress in this city.
In these pages, we have highlighted those that stand out in our community who are working to build the Shreveport legacy we all want to provide for our children. Sincerely,
Shreveport Magazine Chris Jay Contributing Editor Lead Writer Josh Clayton Contributing Writer Keith Todaro Contributing Writer Judd Smith Contributing Writer
Produced by:
Shreveport Magazine www.shreveportmagazine.com Spring 2015 editor@shreveportmagazine.com 721 Southfield Rd. Shreveport, LA 71106
Mary Katherine Leslie-Van Hook Lead Contributing Photographer Will McGrew Contributing Photographer Bill Woods Contributing Photographer
Randall S. Bradford, Jr. Contributing Designer Deavonte J. Hicks Contributing Designer
Designed by:
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BUCO HANDBAG Knox Goodman’s Boutique
FANCY PRECIOUS STONE RINGS Stephen Miller Fine Jewelry
YOANA BARASCHI Knox Goodman’s Boutique
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OXFORD JACKET & ALDEN SHOES John Pickens Clothiers
Spring Fashion
Spring will come before you know it, and we’ve compiled some of Line Avenue’s most exquisite looks.
THEIA GOWN Knox Goodman’s Boutique
VISCONTI BALLPOINT PEN Stephen Miller Fine Jewelry
CLASSIC KIPPER’S BOWTIES John Pickens Clothiers
ALEXIS BITTAR Knox Goodman’s Boutique
ETON John Pickens Clothiers 9
An Ounce of Prevention innocuous when compared to getting behind the wheel drunk, but studies are revealing that driver performance is roughly the same for both. Drivers all around us are texting, watching videos, replying to emails, engaging in social media conversations, or doing any one of a number of things that modern technology affords us on mobile devices:
Josh Clayton
www.joshclayton.com
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client recently asked “What are the most dangerous intersections in Shreveport/ Bossier?” A KSLA.com article by Victoria Shirley reveals the answers based on the number of 2013 collisions (reported by the Shreveport and Bossier City Police Departments). Thankfully, the report indicates no fatalities resulted from these accidents. Many, however, surely resulted in injured drivers and passengers, which required ambulances, emergency room visits, doctors appointments, surgeries, therapy, missed work, and in some cases, lawyers and courtrooms. Driving is a divided attention task that requires your undivided attention. Your brain cannot devote sufficient attention to the complicated, split-second decision-making tasks required by driving when it has divided its attention to partially focus on the visual-manual subtask of texting. The ability to communicate by text message is a relatively new technology. Driving while texting may seem 10
• At any given daylight moment across America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving, a number that has held steady since 2010. • Engaging in visual-manual subtasks (such as reaching for a phone, dialing and texting) associated with the use of hand-held phones and other portable devices increased the risk of getting into a crash by three times. • Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting. When traveling at 55mph, that’s enough time to cover the length of a football field blindfolded.
Shreveport:
• Spring St. and Lake St. 88 crashes • Youree Dr. and 70th St. 75 crashes • Spring St. at I-20. 61 crashes
Bossier City:
• E. Texas St. & Airline Dr. 56 crashes • Airline Dr. & Viking Dr. 53 crashes • E. Texas St. & Benton Rd. 46 crashes
• The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that 43% of motor vehicle crashes occur at intersections or are “intersection related.”
You cannot control the drivers around you. I recently had the opportunity to talk about our city’s dangerous intersections with Louisiana State Trooper Matt Harris (Troop G). Harris suggests the following tips you can employ to ensure your travels will
Matt Harris
Most automobile accidents can negligent, impaired, or districted driver be avoided, and an ounce of prevenwho runs the red light. tion is worth every dollar you will save in time, car repair or replacement, lost Pull Over. If you have to use a cell phone, respond to emails or texts, pull wages, medical bills, litigation costs and attorney’s fees. over for five minutes and handle your In auto accident personal injury business before proceeding down cases, the “cure” can be exorbitantly exthe roadway. You may arrive at your pensive. Putting down the cell phone, destination five minutes later than and taking extra precautions when expected, but you will arrive alive. driving, is an ounce of prevention that Injuries wreck lives, hinder em- is always worth more than a pound of ployment, and wreak havoc on financ- cure. You can find more information on distracted driving at www.distraction. es. Shooting baskets in the driveway, sitting in a deer stand, or bending over Josh Clayton is a criminal defense and personal injury attorney. He to pick up your granddaughter are can be found at activities that become painful tasks www.joshclaytonlaw.com once one is injured in an automobile 624 Stoner Avenue, Shreveport. accident.
Louisiana State Police be as safe as possible. Silence is Golden. Silence your cell phone notifications and stow the device in your console so you will not be tempted to reply to texts, emails, and social media notifications. No Hands. Use a hands-free device for telephonic communication while driving. Make Room. Decrease your speed and increase your following distance. Give yourself more time to avoid an obstruction or collision in the roadway ahead. One Lane at a Time. Visually clear all multilane intersections one travel lane at a time rather than glancing at the intersection as you make your approach. This reduces the risk of your eyes missing another vehicle that could possibly be making a turn in front of you. Never Trust a Green Light. Always approach intersections with caution so as not fall victim to a 11
Derby Day Rides into RW Norton Art Gallery
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int juleps, outrageous hats and all, Shreveport Derby Day brings the Kentucky Derby to the grounds of R.W. Norton Art Gallery. One of the most prestigious sporting events in the world, the Kentucky Derby has been run at Louisville, Kentucky’s Churchill Downs each year since 1875. When the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby takes place on Saturday, May 2, 20 million American homes will tune in to watch the world’s fastest thoroughbred horses in action. Across the U.S., “Derby Day” parties will gather to watch the race and revel in the outrageous traditions associated with “the run for the roses.” For the first time, Shreveport will have its own Derby Day celebration. The inaugural Shreveport Derby Day will be held on the lawn of R.W. Norton Art Gallery from 2-6 p.m., featuring live music, lawn games, food by Rhino Coffee, an open bar featuring traditional Kentucky Derby cocktails by Wine Country Bistro and Bottle Shop, a raffle drawing for great prizes, contests, and more. Tickets are $85 each and are available now at www.derbydayshreveport.com . Admission “includes everything except raffle tickets,” said Shreveport Derby Day organizer Matt Snyder.
As any Derby fan will tell you, the excitement of Derby Day isn’t all about the race. Time-honored Derby Day traditions include dressing up in eye catching fashions and sipping mint julep cocktails until “post time.”Shreveport Derby Day is going to be a different kind of Derby party, featuring a high energy performance from New Orleans based funkrock sextet, Flow Tribe. (Currently on tour in support of their 2014 release, “Alligator White,” Flow Tribe deliver high powered live performances that ignite instant dance parties wherever they go.) The breathtakingly beautiful setting of the event, provides an additional level of excitement and exclusivity; Shreveport Derby Day will truly be an event unlike any other. “We’re really excited to have Shreveport Derby Day here on the grounds,” said Emily Feazel, creative and visual arts instructor for R.W. Norton Art Gallery. “Our afterhours programs like ‘Night at the Museum,’ ‘The Art of Beer’ and ‘The Art of Love’ have helped us attract huge numbers of young adults. But an event like Shreveport Derby Day, being held on the front lawn? That’s never happened before.”
Dining and Drinking at Derby Day At any event with the word “Kentucky” in its title, there’s bound to be bourbon. No drink is more symbolic of the Kentucky Derby than the mint julep, a refreshing mix of
Saturday, May 2nd 2PM - 6PM
Schedule of Events
2-3pm Arrivals, lawn games, food and drink service begins 3-5pm Live music by Flow Tribe, “best dressed” judging, and raffle sales 5-5:20pm Pre race festivities, “best dressed” winner announced 5:23pm Big screen presentation of the 141st Kentucky Derby, raffle winners drawn 14
bourbon, simple syrup, and fresh mint leaves served over crushed ice. Since being introduced in the grandstands of Churchill Downs in the late 1930s, these easy- drinking cocktails have become an iconic American drink. The makers of Early Times Bourbon estimates that more than 120,000 mint juleps are served each year at Churchill Downs during Kentucky Derby festivities, requiring more than 60,000 pounds of crushed ice and 10,000 bottles of minted simple syrup. Wine Country Bistro and Bottle Shop will be onhand at Shreveport Derby Day, serving up expertly mixed mint juleps, as well as “a southern twist on the classic mojito,” and beer from Shreveport’s own Great Raft Brewery. “I’d guess that 99% of all mint juleps are consumed within a fourhour period every year,” joked Jason Brady, owner of Wine Country Bistro and Bottle Shop. “So, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. I think we’ll be pouring and consuming a lot of mint juleps at Shreveport Derby Day.” While Shreveport Derby Day festivities begin at 2 p.m., the Kentucky Derby won’t be run until 5:23 p.m. When there’s an afternoonlong party to look forward to, it’s important to eat often and well. Rhino Coffee,
who’ve established a reputation among local food lovers for outstanding food made with great personal attention, will be serving a menu of Kentucky Derby classics. Expect “heavy horsd’oeuvres, finger foods and ‘walkingaround food’ with an emphasis on Kentucky flavors,” according to Rhino Coffee owner Andrew Crawford. Crawford’s team at Rhino Coffee are currently developing a menu that’ll pay homage to the foods traditionally served at Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby. Crawford cited a bourbon chocolate pecan pie as a potential menu item currently being perfected in the Rhino Coffee kitchen.
Dressing for the Winner’s Circle When it comes to attire, the Kentucky Derby is not an occasion that calls for restraint. Derby parties are places to see and be seen. Women are encouraged to embrace their inner “Southern belle,” wearing bright colors from head to toe. While there’s lots of room for creativity and self -expression in your Derby Day attire, there are some basic rules. For women, a dress and a hat are all but required. That hat should be as bold, brazen and original as possible. Typically, women wear heels to Derby Day events. But, when the party includes live music by one of New Orleans’ most energetic funk bands, a pair of stylish flats may be a more dance floor friendly decision. Knox Goodman’s Boutique, the official women’s clothier of Shreveport Derby Day, “has dressed a lot of people, throughout the decades, to attend the Kentucky Derby,” said manager James Osborne. Osborne, who is highly respected locally for his personal sense of fashion as well as his professional talent for making women look their best, shared some of his thoughts on Derby Day attire: “Derby Day has a little whimsy to it,” Osborne said. “You can become someone different than your usual self. You can delve into some iconic fashion ideas.” Osborne’s simplest rule for Derby Day? The more color, the better. Matching, which Osborne usually cautions against, is fair game as long as those matching colors are bright. “It’s a party that’s about expressing yourself and having a good time,” Osborne said. “If you’ve ever wanted to push
Saturday, May 2nd 2PM - 6PM R.W. Norton Art Gallery Music: Flow Tribe Food: Rhino Coffee Open Bar: Wine Country Bistro and Bottle Shop Contests, Raffles and more!
Tickets available: DerbyDayShreveport.com $85 / Ticket the envelope and go for a more dramatic look, Derby Day is a great time to embrace that.” Osborne invites women who are planning a Derby Day ensemble to visit Knox Goodman’s Boutique for a consultation. Walk-ins are welcome, as are oneon one appointments, which can be scheduled by calling the boutique at (318) 861-3044. “I’ve been dressing men to go to the Kentucky Derby for years,” Pickens said. “For the Derby, we can really make it kind of wild. You’ll see a lot of seersuckers and linen. You’ll see bow ties and lightercolored forehand ties, sport coats and lighter colored suits.” At the same time, Pickens firmly believes that there’s a right way and a wrong way to dress for Derby Day. “I feel like a Derby Day outfit warrants a tie,” Pickens said. “Also,
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714 Azalea Dr. Shreveport, LA www.knoxgoodmans.com
accessories are really big right now. Pocket squares, lapel boutonnieres and other accents for a suit or sport coat are ideal for Derby Day.” He also pointed out that a locally owned bow tie line, Classic Kippers, create beautifully made bow ties that would be perfectly suited for Derby Day parties. All proceeds from the ties benefit abused or neglected animals in Shreveport Bossier. Classic Kipper’s bow ties, along with all of the looks that Pickens recommends for Shreveport Derby Day, are available at John Pickens Clothiers on Line Avenue in Shreveport. Immediately prior to post time, Pickens and Knox Goodman will be joined by celebrated hat and clothing designer Jane Ryder of Jane Ryder Designs to select winners in categories including “bestdressed man and woman,” “best dressed couple” and “best hat.” Ryder, a British hat and fashion designer who now calls Shreveport home, has dressed stars for the Academy Awards. Her work has been featured in top British fashion magazines, including UK Vogue. She says that a woman’s Kentucky Derby hat should be “bold, beautiful and ‘out there.’” “The hat is supposed to take the look to a whole new level. You want to get noticed,” Ryder said. “If you’re going to do it, do it big.”
For those who aren’t comfortable going the ‘huge hat’ route, you can always go for a fascinator. You can still do something really creative and outside of the box. Ryder’s hats are available at the Agora Borealis, a local artists’ marketplace located at 421 Lake Street in downtown Shreveport, and may also be purchased by contacting Ryder directly at (318) 2186593. Ryder is happy to work with clients on custom designed hats and fascinators for the Kentucky Derby, but notes that custom work requires a month or more of advance notice. Following the announcement of “best dressed” winners, attention will shift to a big screen presentation of the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby, simulcast live from Churchill Downs. Raffle winners will be drawn following the race, and Shreveport’s inaugural Derby Day party will come to a close as a whole herd of well dressed, well fed racing fans depart for the official Derby Day after party at Ristorante Giuseppe. Whether you’re new to horse racing or a seasoned racing fan, Shreveport Derby Day is a new way to celebrate one of the most prestigious days in sports. Experience the outrageous fashions, delicious food and drink, live music and excitement of the biggest day in thoroughbred racing, set against the backdrop of R.W. Norton Art Gallery’s beautiful gardens. 17
Tickets to Shreveport Derby Day are $85 each and are available now at www.derbydayshreveport. com. Advance ticket purchase is required and guests must be 21 years of age or older to attend.
Chris Jay
www.allyallblog.com
Horse Racing 101: Useful Terms
While Shreveport Derby Day won’t include wagering on the race, there will be a unique raffle in which ticket holders who correctly predict the winner of the Kentucky Derby will be entered to win some outstanding prizes. In order to have the best shot at taking home a raffle prize, here are a few horse racing terms and expressions that’ll come in handy.
“Favorite”
“Favorite” is a shortened way of saying “odds on favorite,” a term used to denote the horse that has the most money wagered on it to win. Pro Tip: Favorite horses win about 33 percent of the time. Most beginning bettors will place their bets on the favorite.
“Handicapper”
A handicapper is someone who uses past performances and other factors to predict the outcome of sporting events such as horse races.
“Win, place, show”
In horse racing, “win, place, and show” stand for “first place, second place, and third place,” respectively. Wagering on a horse to “place” pays off if the horse places first or second. Wagering on a horse to “show” pays off if the horse finishes first, second or third.
“Longshot”
A horse that is not looked upon favorably by bettors, resulting in higher odds and the possibility of a much higher payoff. While it’s unlikely that a longshot will win, the payoff will be much higher if it does. Pro Tip: An example of “longshot” odds would be 30:1, which would be read as “30 to 1.”
“Scratch”
When a horse has been scratched, it has been withdrawn from the race.
“Post Position”
The “post position” reflects the position of a horse in the starting gate. The horse closest to the inside rail, for example, is assigned the number one. Pro Tip: Historically, horses assigned the numbers two through ten have won more Kentucky Derby races than other horses. 18
Outdoor Game Changers Patagonia Outerwear Sportspectrum 6970 Fern Ave. Shreveport, LA Krewe Sunglasses John Pickens Clothiers 6022 Line Ave. Shreveport, LA
Tissot Sport Watches Stephen Miller Fine Jewelry 6030 Line Ave. Shreveport, LA
Yeti Rambler King Hardware 4834 Line Ave. Shreveport, LA
Lokai Bracelet John Pickens Clothiers 6022 Line Ave. Shreveport, LA Chaco Sandals Sportspectrum 6970 Fern Ave. Shreveport, LA
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Buy Local, Grow Local
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ou see it all around, don’t you? Remnants of broken buildings…vestiges of a vital economy long passed…decayed ruins of businesses long gone. Those same empty shells were once locally owned businesses that prospered in our fair town. Importantly, they were businesses that hired locally and made purchases locally. These were local merchants that chose to invest first and then re-invest in this community because it was then a matter of life and death to their businesses and this community. IT STILL IS, FOLKS!
In an era of ever-changing technology and ever-fading first person relationships, it seems to be the mien of the hipster doofus to stare into a small plastic box as if it was a replacement for the locally owned companies that we used to rely upon to anchor our business community. Smart phone as trusted vendor – surely our phones and tablets would not lead us astray? Surely that last search would only reveal to us the best and most trustworthy sources? We could never go wrong by believing what the Internet posits as the truth? You’re kidding me, right??? Shreveport/ Bossier has been a great place to live. It was once a great place to be in business. Let’s make it that again! We are on the cusp of a renaissance in local shopping. We need you to decide to be a part of this tidal wave of change! Let me share with you some cold and dry statistics that everyone who lives and shops here needs to know. The “big box” stores are not this community’s friend. For every dollar that you spend with a local merchant THREE TIMES more stays in the local community than if you shopped with a chain store. According to private research 48% of each purchase at a locally owned business remains to circulate in the local economy, compared to just 14% of purchases made at chain stores. Even better – that math expands remarkably when compared with on-line purchases. Shopping with a locally owned store is an investment in the community that you live in! Be a part of the tidal wave! There are many cities, large and small, that have engaged with local business people in an effort to reinvigorate the community perspective of locally owned businesses. The advantages of a thriving locally owned business community go far beyond just the multiplier effect mentioned above.
Facts and statistics get to be awfully inconvenient don’t they? Now that we’ve established that buying locally is a better choice and that supporting locally owned businesses is a really smart thing to do, what do we want you to do? That’s really easy – we want you to STOP yourself every time you start to turn into another of those HUGE parking lots where you have to park 4 blocks from the door, deal with part-time clerks that may be rude and are always poorly informed, wonder if there is anyone who really cares that you are a customer…just don’t put yourself through that any more. What to do instead? Take a deep breath – find a locally owned store that sells what you need and be AMAZED at the care, the service, the product knowledge that those businesses share with their customers. Be amazed at how appreciative they are that you cared enough to shop locally. Be amazed at how eager they are to ensure that you come back again and again and again. Help us get the word out to all of your friends – let’s make Shreveport/ Bossier THE place to shop with locals. Let’s make this community alive with a local heartbeat. Let’s ensure that our kids and grandkids have businesses to shop at, and work for, and rely upon for their own prosperity. Help us stake the future by repopulating our hometown with thriving locally owned businesses whose character and profitability have a community enriching impact. SHOP LOCAL Join the Tidal Wave!!!
Here are just a few: 1. Local character is expressed through Shreveport’s local businesses. 2. Local ownership ensures that important business decisions are made by people who live in our community and who will share the impact of their decisions. 3. Locally owned businesses create more jobs, and provide better wages than chains. 4. Locally owned businesses help build strong community standards by linking neighbors in a web of geo-economic social relationships. 5. Locally owned businesses typically play a more active role in local civic causes. 22
Keith Todaro www.mlbath.com
Downtown is Looking up
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hen Robinson Film Center first opened its doors in May of 2008, the two screen art cinema, restaurant, and event space had few neighbors in the 600 block of Texas Street. Like Artspace at 710 Texas Street, Robinson Film Center had been built with the support of local development agencies like the Downtown Development Authority as well as philanthropists who wanted to see new life, new businesses, cultural offerings, and foot traffic drawn to this beautiful and historic stretch of downtown Shreveport. Today, when Executive Director Alexandyr Kent looks across the street at the soon to open Lofts @ 624, he sees a new source of livelihood for the business that he oversees. A block that has already benefited immensely from Shreveport’s investment in the arts seems poised to take the next step, with residents moving into 50 new market rate apartments at 624 Texas Street beginning in June. “It’s an ideal situation for us to have residences and businesses across the street,” Kent said. “Robinson Film Center, from the very beginning, was pitched as an asset that could help revitalize downtown. But, in a lot of ways, this new development can revitalize us, too. It means more people, more light, and more to do downtown, and that all benefits us.” Those 50 apartments range in size from 521 square foot
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studios to 800 square foot penthouses. A variety of layouts are available, including split level lofts and corner views. Amenities like dedicated parking, free internet and water are included. Arguably the greatest amenity of this address, however, will be the view: each loft has a view of downtown Shreveport (see above). In addition to the Lofts @ 624, several new retail and commercial properties will begin opening this summer. These include the downtown branch of Rhino Coffee, Tip’s on Texas, Explore Yoga, and RocknSake Sushi. The Vagabond Showroom, a vintage clothing and furniture store that already has a window display set up at 616 Texas Street, plans to open in the Fall of 2015. The diverse nature of the businesses already announced to occupy these new commercial and retail spaces is incredible: a popular sushi restaurant from New Orleans’ Warehouse District, a local coffee shop with deep community roots in Shreveport, a yoga studio with a dedicated local fan base, and a northern Louisiana outpost of one of the most famous live music venues in the world, Tipitina’s. Randolph Smith, broker and co-owner of Shreveport based real estate brokerage, RCM Realty, said that all of the recent developments in downtown Shreveport have he and his partners consider-
ing the move to a commercial space in downtown Shreveport. Smith currently offices out of a desirable address on Line Avenue, but when asked about the prospect of relocating to downtown, he doesn’t hesitate. “Our plan is to move downtown,” Smith said. “Downtown Shreveport is in the middle of a rebirth. The new developments that are happening with the new retail and residential lofts going in downtown are a game changer.” Smith said that he began his career in Dallas, where he was able to see downtown Dallas “get a second life,” with once shuttered properties becoming trendy restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues. In his experience, the kinds of businesses that will draw new life and interest to an area are those with a following. He sees those kinds of businesses moving into downtown Shreveport. “Could you imagine living upstairs from Rhino Coffee? Having a Tipitina’s night club in the basement? That’s going to be incredible,” Smith said. “I’m excited about downtown Shreveport and I really believe that the best is yet to come.” One person who shares that belief is Jeff Everson, the Shreveport City Council representative for District B, which includes downtown Shreveport. Everson said that the Lofts @ 624 development taps into a long-recognized need for housing in downtown Shreveport that is accessible to the average citizen, regardless of income, profession or other
factors. “We’ve known for a long time that there’s a demand for market rate housing in downtown Shreveport,” Everson said. “Obviously the appeal of urban living is that downtown Shreveport is your backyard. You’ve got Abby Singer’s Bistro as your dining room. It’s exciting to have that.” Everson, who has served as a member of the Shreveport City Council since 2010 and also works as a realtor, believes that the health of a city’s downtown is a great indicator of its overall vitality. “Visitors,” he says, “often judge a city by the character of its downtown.” This is especially true of Shreveport, with its downtown convention center and Festival Plaza. “For many visitors, downtown is the main part of our city that they see,” Everson said. He is quick to applaud the work of investors, community organizations and “early adopter” businesses and residents who’ve seen the potential in downtown Shreveport and moved in. “It’s great to see all of the interest that’s swirling around downtown Shreveport, after a long period of skepticism,” Everson said. “Downtown Shreveport has been growing on a very steady and steep trajectory, and I don’t see any reason for that to change.” For more information on commercial and residential spaces available at the Lofts @ 624 in downtown Shreveport, visit www.624lofts.com. 25
417 Lake Street Shreveport, 71101 (318) 828-1637
“I’ve been working on BK image enhancements in Shreveport with Jeff Spikes. I’ve worked with a lot of architects in my day, but I’ve never worked with anyone as driven and engaged as Jeff.” -David Ostrowe, O&M Restaurant Group (BK North Louisiana, Southeast Oklahoma)
www.iarchitecture.net
jeff@iarchitecture.net
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SHREVEPORT
MAGAZINE PRESENTS:
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OFFICIAL LAUNCH PARTY JUNE 5, 2015 5PM - 9PM @ TWISTED ROOT
TALKING SHOP: LOCAL RESTAURANTS
“I remember when I opened up Cantina Laredo. I signed my life away. If it hadn’t worked, I don’t know what would have happened. But I had no intention of failing, and I was stupid enough to believe that I couldn’t fail. But I certainly could have failed.” - Chris McJunkins
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our restaurateurs who’ve helped redefine Shreveport’s dining scene talk shop. It’s 6:30 p.m. on a Tuesday night, and Wine Country Bistro and Bottle Shop is beginning to fill up with diners and drinkers. As the volume level increases in the main dining room, a handful of non-descript looking guys gather at the end of a 25 top table that’s been set for a huge party that’s arriving shortly. Servers buzz around the room, occasionally checking in on these four. Any onlooker could tell that they are friends, but you’d be hard pressed to guess that, between them, these fellows are responsible for six of the most popular eateries in Shreveport. Seated at the table are: Grant Nuckolls, proprietor of Twisted Root Burger Company; Andrew Crawford, owner of Rhino Coffee; Chris McJunkins, owner of Windrush Grill and Cantina Laredo; and Jason Brady, partner in Cadre Hospitality Group and majordomo of Wine Country Bistro and Bottle Shop, Zocolo Neighborhood Eatery and Drinkery and Southern Fork Catering. As happy hour becomes the dinner rush, we relocate to a smaller table, comparing notes on the good, the bad and the ugly of the restaurant business. And, as Brady remarks to a chorus of knowing groans, “there’s definitely ‘ugly’ in this business.” 32
Getting Started
Though they have a lot in common, Brady, Crawford, McJunkins and Nuckolls all came to the restaurant world from very different backgrounds and possess different skill sets. On most subjects, their opinions and viewpoints vary. But they are unanimous when it comes to one thing: you have to be a little bit crazy to open a restaurant. McJunkins: “I remember when I opened up Cantina Laredo. I signed my life away. If it hadn’t worked, I don’t know what would have happened. But I had no intention of failing, and I was stupid enough to believe that I couldn’t fail. But I certainly could have failed.” Crawford: “Our fire marshal, while he was inspecting the original Rhino location before we opened, said ‘Why are y’all even doing this? Starbucks is right across the street.’ We’re friends now, but at the time, I remember saying: ‘Will you please just inspect my building?’” Brady: “I was working as a chef, and I decided that I didn’t want to do that for the rest of my life. I swore that I’d never work in a restaurant again. I opened up a wine shop, but a
few years later, I was back in the restaurant business. I meet changing customer demands. never even had the thought to go back to working for someone on the corporate level. That wasn’t for me. I Nuckolls: “Great Raft Brewing opened a month after we did. wanted a family business, so that’s what we built.” Within six weeks of being open, I knew that I needed to double my draft beer selection. We opened with 16 beer taps, and we Crawford: “We looked at franchises and none of have 28 now. Out of all of our selection, one third of our sales them fit the match of what we were looking for. Build- are beers made right here in Shreveport. I’m proud of that. The ing Rhino from the ground up, we’ve had to put that community will throw you some curveballs.” structure in place by building menus, developing staff policies, all of those formulas come with a franchise, Crawford: “We never had any plans to serve food at all. We but we’ve had to build them from scratch. It’s taken didn’t want to be a restaurant, we wanted to be a coffee us some time.” house. When we saw our customers bringing in pizza every night, we realized that we needed to start serving dinner.” Nuckolls: “I had a business background. I’d never stepped foot inside of a restaurant kitchen. I wanted McJunkins: “Windrush Grill started out as a fancier place to do something local, something that I could take than it is now. People really didn’t want that. There are a lot ownership of and put the soul of the community of families in the neighborhood, and they wanted two for one into.” burger nights and sandwiches. They wanted a better value than what we were offering. So, we changed to be more of a family restaurant.” Changes Along the Way Sometimes, the restaurant that you set out Brady: “When I first opened Wine Country, we couldn’t even to build turns out to be a different thing from the restaurant that your community wants. From updat- get our hands on local tomatoes. Now, this June, about 85 ing menus to riding the wave of interest in local craft percent of everything on the menu will be locally sourced. beer, these four restaurateurs have found themselves We’re even building our own farm right now. The farm to table thing has been so big for us.” changing course from time to time in an effort to
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People powered
One of the great distinctions between national chain restaurants and local eateries is the quality of service. At a well managed local restaurant, regular patrons develop lasting friendships with servers, bartenders and management. When it’s all working the way that it should, a restaurant’s staff can feel like extended family. Brady: “We’re trying to bring like minded people together. You look for people who have some personality, salesmanship, hospitality and a smiling face. In Shreveport, you don’t find a whole lot of potential servers who already possess a lot of wine knowledge, so we just look for servers who are interested in learning new things. We’ve ended up with some incredible folks. It’s one heck of a family that we’ve ended up with.” Crawford: “We’ve got a barista with a tattoo on her arm that says ‘Death Before Decaf.’ She loves coffee; it’s part of who she is. Starbucks could offer her better benefits and higher wages than us, but I feel like our employees enjoy the Rhino atmosphere more. We’re a little less structured.” Nuckolls: “At the end of the day, I’m trusting my livelihood to these people, and I’ve found that even the high school kids with blue hair and three nose rings the ones that want to do right are gonna do right. It’s about work ethic.” McJunkins: “If we have better service than chain restaurants, I believe that’s because we have a little more patience and a little more time to work with our employees and develop them. We see these folks every day, so we don’t want them to go anywhere. We want them to stay with us. They’re like family.”
The Importance of Community
When the conversation turns to the role that restaurants play in a community, responses range from appreciative words for neighborhood regulars, to words of praise for fundraiser organizers, and Shreveport’s growing contingent of bicycle enthusiasts.
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McJunkins: “ Probably 90 percent of my sales at Windrush Grill are from regular customers who come in time and time again. As the Provenance neighborhood has grown, Windrush has grown. Our neighborhood means everything to us out there; they kind of keep us going.” Nuckolls: “I spend basically no money on advertising. I spend a lot of money on festival sponsorships and fundraiser nights. I’m from here. I grew up ten blocks from the restaurant. Giving back to this city is the right thing to do.” Crawford: “We’ve given $5 gift cards to every incoming freshman at Centenary College for the last two years. We’d rather give something to all of those college students who are coming in than do something like take out a billboard. That’s how we like to work.” Nuckolls: “I’ve really enjoyed working with these guys who organize group bicycle rides. Every time ten or more of them organize a ride to Twisted Root, I’ve been giving them a $100 bar tab.” Brady: “A lot of our community involvement has revolved around local farms and community gardens. We want people to understand that we genuinely care about building a stronger community. I’m willing to sacrifice a percentage of profits to build those relationships with local farmers. It feels good to help a business that’s striving to grow in this community.” Two hours after we sat down, the check arrives and everyone scrambles to pick up the tab. The evening has served as a reminder of what a special community we live in: these four business owners are, by any definition, one another’s competitors. They’re also one another’s friend, trusted advisor and drinking buddy. Perhaps that’s one more element of the appeal of local businesses. At the end of the day, all of us are in this Shreveport thing together.
Chris Jay
www.allyallblog.com
Tired of patios in parking lots? So were we.
twisted
root
GR E AT COMBINATION Jason Brady and his team invite you to enjoy a one-of-a-kind culinary experience at two of Shreveport’s premier restaurants: Wine Country Bistro & Bottle Shop and Zocolo Neighborhood Eatery & Drinkery. You can also bring these delights to your next event with Southern Fork Catering.
The neighborhood place perfect for a quiet dinner with family, drinks with friends or to start a night on the town. 436 ASHLEY RIDGE BLVD.
Wine Country combines a fine dining Bistro experience with a full-service bottle shop and walk-in cellar. PIERREMONT MALL • LINE AVE. & TWELVE OAKS
Whether an intimate wedding, company event, birthday bash or holiday celebration, Southern Fork Catering offers complete catering services. TWELVE OAKS
For more information, visit www.cadrehg.com.
Since 1905, A Louisiana Landmark.
Sparkling Myths A
guy walks into a bar. He sits down and unbuttons his jacket. The bartender says, “What can I get you sir?” The gentleman looks him straight in the eye and says, “I’ll have a glass of Champagne.” The bartender says, “Very good sir, what are we celebrating this evening?” The gentleman says, “Well, I just closed a deal that I’ve been working on for almost a year. It made me 2.7 million dollars.” The bartender was awe struck and said, “Really?!” The gentleman chuckled and said, “Nah man. I’m just grabbing a drink while the wife is at Target.” There’s an extravagance associated with Champagne. Everyone thinks, “It’s elegant and sexy and I can’t afford it.” Call it great marketing. It’s a perfect beverage for special occasions and celebrations, but that’s not the only time you should drink it. Should you save that bottle of bubbles? Absolutely not. And I’m going to tell you why. The truth about sparkling wine is that it is actually accessible for everyone. Sure, you’ve heard of 38
Dom Perginon and Veuve Clicquot and how much they cost. But have you heard of a Spanish sparkling wine called Cava? Or a bottle of Italian bubbles called Prosecco? You can drink either one of those on an everyday basis and feel like a champion and most will run you between $9-$19 for a nice, quality wine. Talk to a wine professional in your favorite local shop about what is a good starting point for you if you don’t already have a preference. Now I just told you that you don’t have to spend $80 for good juice. Now I’m telling you that some of the finest, most beautiful sparkling wines I’ve tasted were expensive and worth it. If you like bubbles, I say go for it. If you don’t, then probably not. If you hate baseball, then buying tickets right behind home plate for $250 a seat isn’t going to make you like it anymore. It’ll actually probably make you hate it. Start small. Once you find what you like in the world of sparkling wine, then go big. I’ll leave you with some pro bubble buying tips: All Champagne is sparkling wine, but
not all sparkling wine is Champagne. Champagne is actually legally denoted by France as sparkling wine made in the region of Champagne, France from the grapes Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Brut is very dry. Even more dry than “Extra Dry”. So if you think you’d like something not too dry and just a hint of sweetness, go with Extra Dry. South Africa produces some really great sparkling with the same grapes and method they use in Champagne for around $20 a bottle. Check out a winery called Graham Beck. Lastly, 99% of Brut Rosés are actually quite dry. It is very important to know that just because it is pink, that does not mean it is sweet. For wine reviews, how-to’s, and other wine info, check out www.beardandbarrelblog.com.
Judd Smith
Shreveport’s first mixed use downtown loft development giving Shreveport a new way to
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