The East Summer 2021 by Renaissance Publishing

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EAST NEW ORLEANS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT East NOLA BDD Chairman Sean Bruno Communications Committee Lynnette White-Colin Troy Henry Sean Bruno Mtumishi St. Julien Karen Coaxum

RENAISSANCE PUBLISHING Editor Topher Balfer Art Director Ali Sullivan Account Executive Meghan Sumrall 504-830-7246 Meghan@myneworleans.com Production Designers Rosa Balaguer Meghan Rooney Chief Executive Officer Todd Matherne PHOTO PROVIDED BY FAUBOURG BREWING CO.

Letter From the Chairman About East New Orleans BDD

Executive Committee & Board Members

Cajun Fire Brewing Company

Leaders in the East

A Tribute to Heroes in the East

Community Events

By the Numbers

Faubourg Brewing Co.

Photo Gallery

Folgers Coffee

Member Levels & Benefits

Crescent Crown Distributing

Member Application

Royal Brewing

The EAST New Orleans

Custom Published By

Published by Renaissance Publishing LLC 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 123 Metairie, LA 70005 (504) 828-1380 • www.myneworleans.com

Copyright 2021 The EAST, East New Orleans Business Development and Renaissance Publishing LLC. Postage Paid at New Orleans and additional entry offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to East NOLA BDD, 7240 Crowder Blvd #301, New Orleans, LA 70127. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of the publisher. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the magazine’s managers, owners or publisher. ENOBDD is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos and artwork even if accompanied by a self addressed stamped envelope.

ABOUT EAST NOLA BDD

LETTER FROM THE 2021 CHAIRMAN

he The East New Orleans Business Development District (ENOBDD) is a non-profit, 501(c)3 established to foster, coordinate and catalyze initiatives that improve the busines climate and quality of life in Eastern New Orleans through new business development, infrastructure improvements, and image enhancement, in order to grow good jobs in The East, attract investment, facilitate growth in tax revenues and the overall economy in the City of New Orleans. The board of ENOBDD is comprised of a cross section of experienced business executives and respected civic leaders, whose track records have garnered community support, public and private sector partnerships and other diverse resources to implement a targeted economic revitalization strategy for Eastern New Orleans. COMMERCIAL AND RETAIL DEVELOPMENT The organization is strategically focused on attracting new business, retail and commercial development along existing commercial corridors in The East.

BLIGHT, BEAUTIFICATION & QUALITY OF LIFE ENOBDD works toward improving the appeal and marketability of major commercial corridors in The East. The organization continues to work with Code Enforcement at the City of New Orleans to eliminate commercial and residential blight. Additionally, community “clean-up” events are implemented throughout the year. Regular communication is maintained with the Department of Public Works for infrastructure improvements and repair, as well as the New Orleans Police Department for accountability in public safety. IMAGE ENHANCEMENT AND BRANDING Although one of the largest communities in the city and home to many of its recognizable assets, Eastern New Orleans has long endured unfavorable branding. ENOBDD has been at the forefront of reversing this trend by communicating with media organizations on how they report on The East. The organization is requesting a change in how maps of the East are drawn, to affect more accuracy in information reported about Eastern New Orleans, especially as it relates to crime. Additionally, members of the ENOBDD board have developed a report card to grade city agencies on public services and their responses to needs in our community.

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Sean M. Bruno Chairman 2021

Dear Readers, This edition of The East Magazine shows that Eastern New Orleans is a significant manufacturing and distribution beverage hub and an important economic development generator for New Orleans and the region. We congratulate Faubourg Brewing Company on its new branding campaign and new product lines introduced right here in Eastern New Orleans. We say a heartfelt “Welcome” to Royal Brewery and Cajun Fire for seeing Eastern New Orleans as a great place to do business. We remain proud of the steadfast contributions made by our long-term business partners, Folgers Coffee and Crescent Crown Distributors. Please join us, the Board of the East New Orleans Business Development District, in giving 5-Star Kudos to our own New Orleans East Hospital, and its many community partners, in demonstrating valiant and indispensable leadership by providing vital COVID-19 testing and vaccinations during this long and hard year. On the occasion of her retirement, we also must extend our congratulations and commendation to Sylvia Scineaux-Richard and her husband Alvin for their many years of civic leadership and service to Eastern New Orleans. Sylvia is leaving ENONAC in good hands and we look forward to continuing our partnership with ENONAC. These important Eastern New Orleans businesses that we highlight in The East Magazine demonstrate the possibilities of more business growth in the East that can benefit all New Orleans. We get excited when we see the transformative possibilities of a development such as the one proposed by the Bayou Phoenix group that would not only develop the old Jazzland site but stimulate more economic development in the real estate around it. We get excited about the thought of bringing back Lincoln Beach. We also get excited about the transformational value of having some of City government operations closer to New Orleans East Hospital with the goal of reducing healthcare costs to the City and increasing healthcare services to its employees. Just think of the economic stimulus that a City Hall or Sewerage & Water Board satellite office would have on this area which represents 40% of the geographical make-up of New Orleans. We also applaud the many neighborhood organizations that have taken a stand to ensure the community’s voice will not be left out of the economic decisions being considered for our neighborhoods. Let’s continue to celebrate the great economic development assets of the East and its valued leadership. Sincerely, Sean Bruno, Chairman East New Orleans Business Development District

EastNolabdd.com

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & BOARD MEMBERS

Sean M. Bruno Chairperson 2019 Sean M. Bruno CPA

Lynnette White-Colin Vice Chairperson New Orleans Business Alliance

J.C. Celestin Treasurer Celestin Enterprise, Inc.

Mtumishi St. Julien Secretary The Finance Authority of N.O. (Ret.)

Karen Nabonne Coaxum Board Member Coaxum Enterprises, Inc.

Anthony Bridges Board Member Fidelity Bank

Bradley Pipes Board Member Cox Communications

Dwight Barnes Board Member Crescent Crown Distributing

Jerry Cook Board Member Folgers Coffee

Sheila Glass Board Member Franklin Avenue Baptist Church

Troy Henry Board Member Henry Consulting, LLC

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Wade Verges Board Member Wade T. Verges Construction Co.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

2021 COMMUNITY EVENTS Walking Trails at Audubon Nature Center

“NEW ORLEANS EAST” IS NOT A NEIGHBORHOOD.

11000 Lake Forest Blvd Main Boardwalk and Adventure Trail: Mon-Thurs 9am-12pm Discovery Trail and Pollinator Path: Mon-Thurs 9am-1:30pm

It’s a place to live.

Free CrossFit at Faubourg

It’s a place to work.

Faubourg Brewing Co. Saturday, August 14 10am–11am Saturday, September 11 10am–11am

Free F45 Training

Faubourg Brewing Co. Thursday, August 5 6pm–7pm Thursday, September 2 6pm–7pm Thursday, October 7 6pm–7pm

Outdoor Live Music

Faubourg Brewing Co. Every Friday, Saturday & Sunday

Royal Brewery Taproom

7366 Townsend Place, Building B Every Saturday & Sunday, 2pm-6pm

It’s a place to grow. It’s a place to learn. It’s a place for faith. It’s a place for community. It’s a place for engagement. It’s a place for entertainment.

IT’S MUCH, MUCH MORE.

Sign up for our “Look East” newsletter to receive information on ENOBDD’s latest news, projects and events! www.eastnolabdd.com EastNolabdd.com

COVER STORY |

BY MISTY MILIOTO

The Business of Brewing Faubourg Brewing Co. brings jobs and economic development to Eastern New Orleans

hen Valentine Merz opened Dixie Brewing in 1907, he could not have known that what started as an infant brewery on the corner of Tulane Avenue and Tonti Street would become an 85,000-square-foot, 100-barrel brewhouse with a taproom and kitchen, an outdoor beer park and beer garden, and a local beer museum in Eastern New Orleans. But more than a century later, after surviving two World Wars and 13 years of Prohibition, Dixie Brewing found its way back to New Orleans. Fresh off the heels of a revitalization and rebranding as Faubourg Brewing Co., the company remains the oldest operating brewery in New Orleans and

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brings continued promise to the region. After Hurricane Katrina destroyed the original brewery in 2005, Dixie Brewing moved out of state and survived by contract brewing. Then, 12 years later, Tom and Gayle Benson, owners of the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans, purchased a majority stake in the brand. Their goal was to bring the brewing operations back home to create jobs and spur local economic growth. The new state-of-the-art brewery in Eastern New Orleans was completed and began production in late 2019. The overall investment totals more than $40 million in the physical plant, property, staff and equipment. The man in charge of overseeing op-

erations is Jim Birch, general manager of Faubourg Brewing Co. He started with the company in January 2019 after relocating to New Orleans from Charlotte, N.C., with his wife, Tanya. He oversees all elements of the brewery’s wholesale and retail operations—a job that continues to evolve as contracting and private-label business opportunities are added to the mix. “Our decision to build the brewery on Jourdan Road in Eastern New Orleans was driven by two factors: Mr. and Mrs. Benson were seeking a manufacturing location that would benefit the community it was in, as much as it would benefit the business at retail, via jobs; and the Jourdan Road cor-

BY MISTY MILIOTO

ridor along the industrial canal is absolutely perfect for a manufacturing business like ours that relies upon close proximity to rail and highway access,” Birch says. “We might even make use of the canal in some fashion one day.” In addition to the new location, the new name—which symbolizes a unified front in New Orleans—is a major milestone for the company. “Our brand is meant to represent a product that brings us together, whether at a crawfish boil, a local neighborhood bar, a football game, or while relaxing in the pool or fishing in the Gulf,” Birch says. “Faubourg is a name that represents the wonderful diversity of New Orleans with over 73 distinct neighborhoods. We love our new name, and the feedback from our customers and the general public has been extremely positive.” Since moving back to New Orleans, Faubourg Brewing Co. has hired and trained more than 40 employees, with the goal of continuing to hire throughout 2021 as

retail and wholesale sales allow. “There has been a great engagement with the community—especially recently— to ensure that our hiring goals look first at the talent that is near us,” Birch says. “We are actively working with several organizations to ensure we are developing training programs that will enable us to truly be an organization that can attract, train and retain a local workforce.” In fact, the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility mission is a key element of the Faubourg Brewing Co. brand promise. According to Birch, the company realized that it wasn’t reaching people who are representative of the community through traditional channels.

| COVER STORY

“We looked at what we could do from a jobtraining perspective in order to attract and find candidates that have the ability to learn and to be trained to be a package operator or bartender or seller operator, for example,” he says. “So that informed the whole mission of what we are doing.” Part of the Corporate Social Responsibility mission includes setting aside a fixed amount of money from every pour of Faubourg Lager in the taproom to fund job training. “It allows us to take a risk and find non-traditional candidates that may not have packing skills previously, but we think it’s worth the investment,” Birch says. “The other part of the CSR mission is working with local groups that we think have taken leadership roles, such as the Made in New Orleans Foundation

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and Turning Tables, which is focused on developing skill sets for young folks who want to work in the service industry.” The two-year cohort includes a frontof-house and back-of-house plan. “We are exchanging ideas and are talking about how to create a training program for someone who may not have a perfect candidate resume, but this is what we can do from a soft skills and from a hard skills perspective to bring them up to speed,” Birch says. “We can make multilevel and multiyear investments that will truly be reflective of the employee base here.” Delivering products of the highest quality and consistency is the brewery’s main goal, and Faubourg Brewing Co. does it with a refreshing blend of tradition and innovation. Every time a batch of beer is brewed on the 100-barrel production system, the brewery turns out approximately 25,000 pints of beer. Meanwhile, the high-speed canning line can produce 166 12-ounce cans of Faubourg Beer

The EAST New Orleans

per minute. All of this equals several tons of two-row malt and hops per year. The brewing process, overseen by head brewmaster Kevin Stuart (who has been with the company since the 1980s), is designed to lift every ingredient to its full potential. For example, Faubourg Lager is fermented at a warmer temperature than other lagers, which develops a unique and complex flavor profile with pleasant, fruity notes. At the brewery, tradition meets technology thanks to computerized controls that cover each step of production, from the filtered water coming in, to the flow of cans and bottles going out. And in the cutting-edge lab, staff members analyze samples throughout the brewing process, checking for uniform color, alcohol content and product consistency. Finally, there is the taste-test. In just 2021 alone, Faubourg Brewing Co. expects to produce between 10,000 to 15,000 barrels of beer, plus some additional

volume due to contract beers. Currently, the beer is distributed in eight states including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, the Florida panhandle, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Maine. It also is on tap with 200 handles of draught Faubourg beer in New Orleans. A rollout with packaged products (bottles and cans) began in early May. Best-selling products include the Faubourg Lager, Golden Cypress Wheat Ale (both are new releases) and DAT’SUMA. “The recipes for Faubourg Lager is different than Dixie Lager in that Faubourg is an all-malt authentic Bohemian Pilsner with Saaz hops,” Birch says. “Dixie had rice and registered 4.6 percent ABV, while Faubourg is a touch higher on the ABV scale with 4.8 percent.” According to Birch, Faubourg Brewing Co. will release Beignet au Lait in August (cans and draught) for the wholesale market, and the taproom will have a constant influx of new beers. “We’ll have monthly can releases

BY MISTY MILIOTO

under the Crafted by Faubourg program heading as well as one-off small-batch releases of draught-only brewer innovation beers,” he says. With the current popularity of alcoholic seltzers, it should come as no surprise that Faubourg Brewing Co. has also released its own brand. A clear seltzer, on tap at the brewery, combines fruit flavors in a seltzer cocktail registering at about 7 percent ABV. The Peach Bellini is the best seller so far. While city and state COVID phase regulations have impacted almost every industry, Birch says that the brewery was not affected aside from a continuing shortage of aluminum cans. “We actually have taken our Dixie branded cans and applied shrink sleeves over them to reuse the aluminum and avoid the extended production delays for new packaging,” Birch says. “At the retail level, the 2020 shutdowns were very difficult, but safety for our employees and customers was always paramount. We offer over eight acres of outside space that is perfect for social distancing, while listening to great local music and sipping a Faubourg beer.” Of course, Birch is referencing the one-

of-a-kind destination that is Faubourg Brewing Co. Designed to create sustainable economic opportunities and a true community atmosphere, the brewery currently offers tours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. (The tours will expand as Covid precautions are lessened.) “We are open seven days per week, and our hours are

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY FAUBOURG BREWING CO.

| COVER STORY

published on social media and Google,” Birch says. “We continue to try to extend hours as service and precautions allow. We have an indoor beer garden as well as a kitchen that is open Friday through Sunday.” On the community level, Faubourg Brewing Co. strives to bring people together in a way that creates positive change. To accomplish this, the company is committed to investing time, knowledge and mentorship services to up-and-coming service-industry leaders. The brewery also guarantees a fair living-wage compensation plan to both full-time and part-time employees, while ensuring that production operations minimize accident occurrences. In addition, the brewery is designed to minimize water waste, and capture and neutralize solids and liquids prior to releasing them from the property, while minimizing unnecessary electrical usage with state-of-the-art lighting and HVAC units. Looking to the future, the company is committed to a long-term partnership with community leaders, elected officials, neighbors and fellow business operators. This means developing a talented local workforce, creating jobs to attract additional business investment, and lending leadership support for local infrastructure, security and training programs. The alignment of these goals, and the brewery’s overall success, signify the tremendous potential that Eastern New Orleans has to become a hub for business and beverages—one sip at a time. EastNolabdd.com

BY DREW HAWKINS

| PROFILE

Golden Brew

PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER

FOLGERS IN THE EAST

When it comes to success stories, it doesn’t get any more classically American than Folgers. The company’s founder and namesake, James Folger, moved to San Francisco in the 1850s at the age of 14. He and his brothers, like so many others, arrived in search of gold. And he found it, too—though not in the place he expected. While his brothers dug and panned for flecks of gold hoping to get rich quick, James got a job working at the Pioneer Coffee and Spice Mills. There, he learned about producing roasted and ground coffee that was ready to be brewed. At the time, coffee beans had to be roasted by the consumer before they could be ground and used to brew coffee. Folger took that idea and ran with it. He started the Folger Coffee Company and became one of the early pioneers of the concept of “cup-testing.” It’s almost exactly what it sounds like: coffee buyers and producers tasting imported beans to judge qualities such as taste and aroma. Before that, beans were assessed based solely on their appearance. Folger personally cup-tested his beans and developed a standard of superior quality that still stands to this day. Through hard work, determination and a little bit of ingenuity—the three ingredients of success—Folgers became one of the world’s largest producers of coffee. James Folger came in search of gold and found it inside a coffee bean. The company moved to Eastern New Orleans in the 1960s, largely in part because shipping routes from Central America had shifted to New Orleans. The city suddenly became one of the largest green-coffee markets, so Folgers packed up their San Francisco operation and set up shop in the Big Easy. And they’ve been here ever since. Today, Folgers is part of The J.M. Smucker Co., and between their two production sites in the East, those facilities produce over 300 products for the Company’s leading coffee brands – in addition to Folgers, this also includes Dunkin’,

1850, Café Bustelo and Café Pilon. The reason for their successful largescale distribution is simple. It’s the same reason the company relocated to the East: access and transportation. “Being in the industrial park has the advantage of being directly in the I-10 interstate system,” says Helene Jackson, Associate HR Manager for the Eastern New Orleans facilities. “The plants in the East are centrally located to best support our supply chain from our inbound green coffee operations at the Port of New Orleans to our outbound distribution center.” But Folgers isn’t just a company that operates in Eastern New Orleans. They’re a community staple, providing jobs and benefits to the local economy. The company currently operates five locations, two production plants and two warehouses, resulting in hundreds of direct and indirect jobs. “In the New Orleans area, we have over

700 full-time employees,” says Jackson. “If you include our construction and contract jobs, we’re looking at over 1,000 jobs in the metropolitan area annually.” Jackson says many Folgers employees are also residents of the East, which is not only good for the local economy, but also results in high rates of employee happiness. “Being a resident of the East, working at Folgers has allowed me to have a great work-life balance,” says Jackson, who has been with the company for over 32 years. After 60 years of business, Folgers has long served as a beacon of progress and opportunity in Eastern New Orleans, and that potential is finally being realized with the opening of Faubourg and other beverage manufacturers creating and distributing products right here, and with the help of the local workforce. The future is bright. Some might even say “golden.” EastNolabdd.com

PROFILE |

BY MISTY MILIOTO

Crown on Top CRESCENT CROWN DISTRIBUTING INVESTS IN THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. An area so abundant with beverage manufacturing would be incomplete without reliable and efficient means of distribution, so it’s fortunate that Eastern New Orleans is also home to Crescent Crown Distributing, a company that operates alongside and in partnership with local breweries. Chris Bourg, executive vice president and general manager at Crescent Crown Distributing, says Eastern New Orleans is not just a prime location because of its infrastructure, but also because its citizens are united and resilient. He cites the many challenges people and businesses in the East have faced and overcome, including the COVID-19 pandemic, as evidence of the community’s strength. “Too many of us have experience with devastating hurricanes, floods, tornados, a rough economy and civil unrest, but we have seen and experienced firsthand how the most resilient people on the planet respond,” Bourg says. “This is a special place with special people; perhaps the greatest product produced in Southern Louisiana is actually our people.” In turn, Bourg says it is also Crescent Crown’s people that make it successful. Crescent Crown Distributing, which came about after a merger between Crown Beverage and Crescent Distributing in 2001, operates out of four facilities that service Southern Louisiana and two facilities that service the greater Phoenix area. Overall, the company employs nearly 1,400 team members (of which 630 are Louisiana residents). “Our organization works tirelessly to perform as a nationally recognized leader, establishing the standards by which all others are measured,” Bourg says. “We hold ourselves accountable to these standards with the utmost integrity, pride, professionalism and enthusiasm as we strive as a team and as individuals to be the best beverage distributor in the marketplace. Our people and our ownership’s support of those people is our greatest advantage.” In fact, a significant number of team 16

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PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CRESCENT CROWN

members have decades of industry experience. Bourg, who has himself been with the company for 14 years (including six years in his current role), says that some team members have nearly 50 years of experience. “One hundred percent of our employees are paid well above the current minimum wage rate,” he says. “Nearly all of our positions are full-time and benefit-eligible. These are not just jobs— they’re careers supporting families.” Today, Crescent Crown Distributing sells and delivers more than 36 million cases of beverages with approximately 40 percent of that number being distributed in Louisiana. That quantity continues to grow as the company acquires new territories, invests in new beverage opportunities and enhances its execution with existing beverage partners. In Louisiana, Crescent Crown Distributing represents 55 brewers/suppliers and more than 600 brands. “We look for brands that help us build scale, enhance emerging and existing beverage categories, align with our strategic planning process and nurture a results-oriented culture,” Bourg says. “We have a solid track record for building great brands. We sell and distribute over 1,600 different products.” Of those products, Bourg says the hard seltzer

category has been explosive. Crescent Crown also represents seven of the top 10 craft suppliers in the United States (ranked by volume by the Brewers Association), including Yuengling, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and Bell’s Brewery. Local beer brands include Abita Beer, NOLA Brewing, Second Line Brewing, Zony Mash Beer Project and Faubourg Brewing. Crescent Crown also distributes Red Bull and high-end waters like Evian, Fiji and Acqua Panna. Bourg says that having the company’s warehouse in Eastern New Orleans means convenience to the I-10 corridor, the French Quarter, the Northshore and the suburbs of Greater New Orleans. As a local company, Crescent Crown is intent on supporting the community. For example, during the pandemic, the company donated more than $450,000 to support bars, restaurants and workers. “In Louisiana alone, we worked with the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation to benefit the South Louisiana Bar Owner Relief Fund with a $200,000 donation,” Bourg says. “We donated $10,000 to the Nurse Relief Fund through the Louisiana Nurses Foundation. We donated free products (Essentia water, Red Bull and soda products) to hospitals and first responders throughout Southern Louisiana.”

BY MISTY MILIOTO

| PROFILE

Royal Brewery LOCAL CRAFT BEER IS DESIGNED TO PAIR WITH THE FLAVORS OF NEW ORLEANS. It was the mid-1990’s when, between jobs in commercial photography, film and television, Raymond Pumilia began brewing beer as a hobby. He enjoyed it, and the hobby stuck. Then came the day 15 years later when Raymond and his wife, Mandy Pumilia, had the idea to transform this hobby into a business that would unite and uplift the community. “We wanted to share our love of craft beer, cooking and entertaining with everyone, and bring it to a part of New Orleans that desperately needed economic development,” Raymond says. The Pumilias spent the following year researching and writing a business plan for what would become Royal Brewery New Orleans, followed by identifying the best location and funding opportunities for their new business. In Nov. 2015, they chose a location in Eastern New Orleans near the Lakefront Airport. At the time, Tipitina’s Foundation planned to build an amphitheater in the area, and the National World War II Museum planned to locate a ship there. Furthermore, other likeminded businesses (such as Folger’s Coffee, Luzianne Tea, Bunny Bread and Southshore

Donuts & Restaurant) were also located nearby. The Pumilias considered the area to be what they called “the Beverage and Yeast Belt of New Orleans,” and they were excited to add Royal Brewery to the mix. “In 2015, there were very low barriers to entrance as it relates to cost, zoning and buildout,” Raymond says. “Additionally, Eastern New Orleans was once an epicenter of manufacturing, retail and entertainment in the New Orleans metro area, and we envision the area returning to an even grander version of what it was previously.” Royal Brewery offers eight different brews on the menu in the taproom, along with an additional five rotating taps. There are currently three brews in distribution to local bars, restaurants, hotels and retailers. Among them, the Chevelle Diablo (a porter) and the Termite Loger (a steam lager) are the most popular. Other choices include the Culicidae (an American pale ale) and the A.B.S. (American special bitter). “We make multi beers that have more body than many domestic beers in the market, and they are designed to pair with the foods that New Orleanians, Sicilians and Southerners make

every day,” Mandy says. With a staff of seven paid employees (and three unpaid employee owners), Royal Brewery currently produces 10,800 cases of beer annually. A new easy-drinking beer that’s perfect for festival season will be released soon. It is made in collaboration with members of the local band, Downman Sound, and is dubbed Plenty of Time after a song on their album, “Tastes Like Yesterday.” A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the beer will be donated to a fund that supports New Orleans musicians. While the pandemic almost put Royal Brewery out of business, the Pumilias found two investors who were able to help them purchase a bottling machine, thereby allowing Royal Brewery to transition into packaging. Raymond and Mandy have since expanded their operation and are planning to hire additional employees as they gain momentum in the bottled space. “Local businesses can only survive with local support and locals embracing our story as their own,” Mandy says. 7366 Townsend Place, Bldg. B, 415-8444, royalbrewerynola.com

EastNolabdd.com

PROFILE |

BY MISTY MILIOTO

Cajun Fire Brewing Co. UNDER HISTORIC LEADERSHIP, THIS LOCAL BREWERY IS ESTABLISHING EQUITY IN AN OFTEN EXCLUSIVE INDUSTRY Jon Renthrope, CEO and brewmaster at Cajun Fire Brewing Co., has always had the goal of brewing beer for socio-economic change. As a member of the United Nation of Houma Indians, Renthrope created the company out of a lack of ownership by Black manufacturers in the craft beer industry. As Cajun Fire Brewing Co. approaches its 10year anniversary, Renthrope acknowledges he has reached an economic milestone, especially in the midst of a global pandemic. “What makes our beer unique is the rich memories that our community experiences while enjoying our beers,” he says. “The support of our company beer releases has been special.” As the first Black-owned/Native American brewing company in Louisiana and the U.S. South (and the fifth in the nation’s history since Prohibition), Renthrope says his success depends on understanding the history of the beer industry and his place within it. “I am in a small percentile of CEOs who have to navigate compounded systemic policies in the craft beer industry,” he says. “It is truly a privilege to serve in the capacity as an operating officer of such a company, and I often reflect on what my ancestors would do in certain scenarios. When in this position, it means for me understanding the systemic policies past and present, which have created this disparity.” As an Eastern New Orleans native, Renthrope found it to be the perfect place to open the brewery. Cajun Fire Brewing Co. is uniquely positioned to provide an outlet to engage commerce, spur tourist interest in the area, create high wage jobs, reduce blight and aid in creating a commercial identity for Eastern New Orleans. 20

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“There is a net of 120,000 traffic index daily for the Interstate 10 corridor,” he says. “Site control of the area allows for expansion efforts for scale and future development.” Once in operation, the $2 million commercial development will be one of the most accessible and highly visible brewing facilities in the state of Louisiana. Cajun Fire Brewing Co. currently has four beers on the market: Big Chief Creme Stout; Cajun Fire Honey Ale; Blacktoberfest; and a limited seasonal beer called P-Train Funk IPA. The beer is distributed in Southeast Louisiana, statewide in Michigan and in 83 counties within the United States. Currently, the beverages are produced to exacting standards in Sterling, Virginia, until the brick and mortar commercial development project is complete (estimated to be open in 2022). The footprint of Cajun Fire Brewing Co.’s development serves as the an-

chor business for a community-wide project dubbed The Eastern New Orleans Cultural Hub, which Renthrope hopes will spur prosperity in the Eastern New Orleans Bullard Corridor. As such, it will include a cultural museum, a culinary institute, a community garden and a tasting room. Cajun Fire’s commercial development also will contribute to protecting the integrity of the commercial corridor’s ecosystem and viability. Through its leadership and collaborative endeavors, Cajun Fire Brewing Co. has already raised more than $700,000 for local philanthropies and non-profit organizations in the Orleans Parish community. “Our success broadens our ability to pay it forward and aid in creating an equitable manufacturing identity for the Eastern New Orleans community,” Renthrope says. 10555 Lake Forest Blvd., Ste. 3C, 355-6653, drinkcajunfire.com

PROFILE |

BY DYLAN EVERS HAWKINS

Leaders in the East ALVIN RICHARD, JR. AND SYLVIA SCINEAUX-RICHARD SET AN EXAMPLE FOR LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.

If you ask Sylvia Scineaux-Richard and her husband Alvin Richard, Jr. about the secret behind their entrepreneurial success, they’ll quickly tell you that it comes from a desire to give back. “We’re both committed to seeing how we can make a better life for a lot of people, not only ourselves,” says Alvin. The husband-wife duo have demonstrated that commitment on multiple levels. Alvin is the founder and owner of waste management service Richard’s Disposal, which he established in 1992. Sylvia is an experienced real estate agent who promoted legislation to create the East New Orleans Neighborhood Advisory Commission (ENONAC), an organization that involves residents in the decision-making process for the future of Eastern New Orleans. “I always wanted to have my own company,” Alvin says. “I wanted to make a difference in not only my own life and my family life, but the lives of others. It’s about seeing what I could do for the community.” In the 1970s, Alvin left a successful career in aerospace so that he could serve Eastern New Orleans. “I was on the team that wired the prototype for the Lunar Rover,” he says. “We received a Silver Snoopy for that work.” But Alvin knew he could make a difference in his community by creating opportunities for locals while providing an essential service. “With my own business, I could supply jobs,” he says. “I

The EAST New Orleans

was able to help some of my guys send their kids to school, get housing and transportation.” Starting with only a few trucks and a dedicated team, Richard’s Disposal has since grown into a multimillion-dollar company with a f leet of 128 vehicles and 125 employees who provide contract disposal services for multiple cities in Louisiana. “I’m very proud of the fact that we’re still a strong business after 42 years,” Alvin says. Over the years, Richard’s Disposal has teamed up with Sylvia ScineauxRichard’s community efforts, providing free cleanup in the area, sponsoring neighborhood projects and playgrounds, and even granting fouryear scholarships to send kids to St. Augustine High School. “We’re doing everything that we possibly can to assist the community,” Alvin says. “We want to help others achieve the goals that they have, especially young children.” For her part, longtime-resident Sylvia has seen many changes to Eastern New Orleans over the years. That’s why she wants to make sure that the residents have a say in future development. “We want Eastern New Orleans to grow in the right direction, adding value to the community,” says Sylvia. “ENONAC is a platform for neighborhoods and subdivisions to vent their concerns. We wanted the city to

bring proposals to the community before the decisions were made, not after.” ENONAC is the civic organization of East New Orleans subdivisions, and Sylvia served as President for thirteen years. She believes that residents were happier when they were included in the development that was taking place in the area and sought to restore that sense of community involvement. “It’s a volunteer role, and it gives the community a voice in the development of Eastern New Orleans,” Sylvia says. “We needed to make sure that we had a say in what was being developed. Prior to ENONAC, we did not know what was being built until the pilings were driven in.” Since its creation, ENONAC has provided a platform for residents to both voice their concerns and steer conversations about economic development in the region, which has a direct impact on quality-oflife initiatives like housing and beautification. “We have a say in the types of businesses that are brought to the East, the quality of new housing developments, and the reduction of blight,” Sylvia says. “I’m proud of the fact that we have people from the most expensive and least expensive subdivisions all working together and participating in the decision-making process.” She describes the development of Cypress Parc, a family housing community in the East, as one of

PHOTO BY J.R. THOMASON

ENONAC’s success stories. “We were part of the planning and ribbon cutting of Cypress Parc,” Sylvia says. “ENONAC ensured that the things the community wanted— fencing and safety, parking for tenants, a place for the kids to play, a minimum size for apartments—that those needs were met.” ENONAC has been successful at forging a bond between businesses and residents, a relationship which Sylvia

says is beneficial for everyone involved. “If residents are part of the process, they’re more likely to take care of the development, embrace it, and want to protect it,” Sylvia says, adding that attracting quality businesses is the next step. “Residents want businesses that add value to the community, with healthy foods and a variety of goods and services.” The work isn’t always easy, but there’s no end in sight to Alvin’s

and Sylvia’s joint efforts to promote family values and establish longterm prosperity for the Eastern New Orleans community. They continue to lead by example for their children and grandchildren, and maintain active involvement in the community and St. Maria Goretti Church. “Eastern New Orleans is a mecca for growth,” Sylvia says. “We have the land, we have the people, and we have the potential.”

BUSINESS IN THE EAST |

BY DREW HAWKINS

Angels in the East HEROES OF COVID-19 IN EASTERN NEW ORLEANS

In a matter of months, a never-before-seen virus spread from a small region in China to affect every part of the globe, including right here in Eastern New Orleans. The pandemic quickly changed the way we live our lives and presented us with staggering challenges--but in the face of seemingly overwhelming difficulties, ordinary members of our community rose to the challenges, providing desperately needed care, supplies and financial donations. When they were needed the most, they stepped up and became heroes. One organization that has been instrumental in fighting back against the coronavirus in the area is New Orleans East Hospital (NOEH). There, frontline medical workers have provided tests and vaccines to help curb the spread of the virus. They also cared for those who contracted the virus and became sick, including those who passed away as a result, oftentimes being with them to the end. “COVID-19 is the story you hear about in nursing school that you never expect to have to live through,” says Kristine New, RN and Administrative Manager of COVID Clinical Operations at the hospital. Fortunately, the staff at New Orleans East Hospital wasted no time getting to work. “NOEH was able to initiate a drive thru testing site on campus in less than 48 hours,” New 24

The EAST New Orleans

says. “We were able to partner with locations throughout the greater New Orleans area to provide onsite testing for the community so that they can know their status and help to protect others.” Because of their incredible efforts, more than 14,000 tests have been completed and over 19,500 vaccinations administered, at the time of this writing. The hospital also partnered with local companies to expand their reach—for instance, a collaboration with The Bardell Co., a local McDonald’s franchisee, offered free meals to anyone receiving a vaccine. It’s a testament to the resiliency of the hospital staff. “Every day we were presented with new challenges, new information, and new changes that we had to quickly adapt to, as well as communicate to all who were affected,” says Danielle Willis, the hospital’s Chief Financial Officer. “At the heart of our operations was the care and compassion for our community, which drove us to perform at a high level and conquer challenges each day.” That very same compassion also drove community groups such as Household of Faith Family Worship Church. They were able to distribute hundreds of masks and tons of food to people in need. They helped people pay their light bills. But helping others is nothing new to Household of Faith.

“Prior to COVID, weekly at our Uptown location we served hot meals, gave haircuts and free clothing to anyone and everyone in need,” says Dale Barriere, Household of Faith’s First Lady. When the virus reached their community, they simply answered the call and stepped up their efforts. “COVID put the spotlight on our ministry when we partnered with Second Harvest and began massive food outreaches in March, serving thousands instead of hundreds.” In the beginning of the pandemic, Household of Faith was distributing more than 100,000 pounds of food each month. While they’ve slowed down to around 40-50 thousand pounds, they’re still at it—and they will be until the job is done. It’s just how they operate. “The Bible says that the greatest among us is the servant,” says Barriere. “The opportunities being the First Lady of Household of Faith have presented have been wonderful, but I take more pride and joy in being a servant of God.” One thing’s for sure: there are angels in Eastern New Orleans, and when they were faced with a global challenge, they came together to work miracles and take care of their community. With care providers and community partners like NOEH and Household of Faith, there is no storm Eastern New Orleans can’t weather.

EastNolabdd.com

EAST NEW ORLEANS BY THE NUMBERS

Faubourg Brewing has been in operation for

114 years & distributes in 8 states The Faubourg taproom houses

200

handles of draught Faubourg beer

600 brands & 55 brewers are represented by Crescent Crown

$450,000

Cajun Fire is the

FIRST

Crescent Crown donated more than to support bars, restaurants and employees during the COVID-19 pandemic

Black-owned brewing company in Louisiana and only the in U.S. history

10,000-15,000 barrels of beer are produced at Faubourg every year

FIFTH

166 12-ounce cans

$2 million commercial development foot print of Cajun Fire spans 9.8 acres in an area with net traffic of 120,000+ commuters per day

In 2020, Folgers earned more than

$1 billion in sales

Crescent Crown employs more than

More than

36 million cases of beverages and sold and distributed by Crescent Crown every year

Folgers produces more than

The high-speed canning line at Faubourg turns out

The

300 different

every minute

products in Eastern New Orleans

1,400 team members, including 630 LA residents

The newly rejuvenated Faubourg Brewing spans

85,000sq.ft. & boasts a 100-barrel brewhouse

Royal Brewery goes through approx.

40,000 lbs. of barley and 400 lbs. of hops per year

Folgers accounts for

700 direct jobs $700,000 300 indirect jobs Cajun Fire has raised more than

The overall economic investment at Faubourg total more than

$40 million

Folgers has been in business in Eastern New Orleans for more than

60 YEARS

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in New Orleans and approximately

for local philanthropies and non-profits

Faubourg produces approximately

More than

25,000 pints of beer with every new batch

individual retailers carry Cajun Fire products across in Southeast Louisiana

parishes

EastNolabdd.com

PHOTO GALLERY

LCMC Health’s New Orleans East Hospital helps to protect the community by leading vaccination efforts in Eastern New Orleans. The hospital has partnered with businesses and organizations in the region to reach as many people as possible. At the time of this publication, NOEH has administered more than 19,500 vaccines.

The EAST New Orleans

PHOTO GALLERY

EastNolabdd.com

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MEMBERSHIP LEVELS & BENEFITS

PLATINUM BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP Benefits of Membership

ANNUAL DONATION $5,000+

• Co-sponsor of the East New Orleans Business Development District’s State of the District Breakfast Summit

• Logo prominently displayed on all promotional materials, events and the website

• Co-sponsor of annual Linen Night in the East (September)

• Listing in business directory of “The East” Magazine for the (Winter Edition)

• Eligible to serve on the Board of Directors

• Inclusion in “Listing of Members” on Website

• Consideration for front cover and feature article in “The EAST” magazine (Summer or Winter Edition)

• Invitation to all Networking Events, including Legislative Breakfast

• Co-sponsor of all Networking Events

• Eligible to serve on Board and Events Committees

GOLD LEVEL Benefits of Membership

• Recognition of Membership in “The EAST” Magazine (Summer & Winter Editions) • 33% discount on advertisement in “The East” Magazine • Listing in business directory of “The East” Magazine for the Winter Editions

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP $1,000 • Inclusion in “Listing of Members” on Website • Invitation to all Networking Events, including Legislative Breakfast • Eligible to serve on Board and/or Events Committees

SILVER LEVEL (Organizations w/ 50 or more employees) Benefits of Membership

• Recognition of Membership in “The EAST” Magazine (Summer & Winter Editions) • 25% discount on advertisement in “The East” Magazine • Listing in business directory of “The East” Magazine for the Winter Editions

• Inclusion in “Listing of Members” on Website • Invitation to all Networking Events, including Legislative Breakfast • Eligible to serve on Board and/or Events Committees

BRONZE LEVEL (Organization w/ less than 50 employees) Benefits of Membership

FRIENDS LEVEL Benefits of Membership

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP $500

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP $250

• Inclusion in “Listing of Members” on Website • Invitation to all Networking Events, including Legislative Breakfast • Eligible to serve on Board and/or Events Committees

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP $100

• Listing in business directory of “The East” Magazine for the Winter Editions

• Invitation to all Networking Events, including Legislative Breakfast

• Inclusion in “Listing of Members” on Website

• Eligible to serve on Events Committees EastNolabdd.com

APPLY & UPDATE

BECOME A MEMBER, INVESTOR OR UPDATE YOUR BUSINESS LISTING WITH THE EAST NOLA BDD I WOULD LIKE TO: Update my Business Directory Listing Apply for an East NOLA BDD Membership

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East New Orleans Business Development District

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New Orleans, LA 70127

7240 Crowder Boulevard, Suite #301