Bryisha Lyons

Rooting for Community at Roots Plants + Coffee in Olde Towne Slidell.

BY BETH D'ADDONO

Bryisha Lyons is a person who digs deep, nurturing a vast root system to sustain her family, her community and herself.

Her business, Roots Plants + Coffee in Olde Towne Slidell, is the prism through which Lyons works her magic. The New Orleans native, who moved to Slidell to be closer to family, started her career in real estate sales. As with so many folks, the pandemic changed things. Lyons’ love for design and tropical plants, always an avocation, started taking over her virtual greenhouse. “What started as a hobby became serious,” recalled Lyons. She studied and earned a horticulture license with the Department of Agriculture.

She started with successful pop ups at coffee shops, nail salons and retail locations like Krewe, the New Orleans eyewear brand. Her social media following grew. “Plants are calming. I felt we were spreading around some much-needed love at an anxious time.”

By October 2022, it was time to open her own space, in Slidell, close to home. The first seeds for Roots Plants + Coffee were planted at a 400 sq. ft. space downtown. “We started with plants, but we realized Olde Towne didn’t have a small coffee shop.” After barista training with Bob Arceneaux at Orleans Coffee, her husband Michael ran the single espresso machine. “We started small, to see how it would work out. Olde Towne didn't have this kind of business. But it wasn’t long before more people were coming in for coffee than for plants.” The couple expanded across the street, taking over a 1,600 sq. ft., long-shuttered antique mall. They built out the space with a retro vibe, thanks to comfy furniture, vintage China and soft lighting. Ayu Bakehouse in the Marigny provides baked goods. Van Friendly, also local, supplies gluten-free baked goods, including amazing donuts.

Community events are ever present on the shop’s Instagram feed. The shop supports Toys for Tots and back to school drives, holds open mic poetry readings and participates in Olde Towne happenings.

Pay a visit, and Roots is clearly a family affair. Bryisha is on the plant and design side, with Michael running the busy coffee shop. Their two boys walk over after school to do homework and help on weekends. Lyons sees her family making a difference. She saw her business as expanding diversity in Olde Towne, a community that welcomed the business with open arms. “I’d say we are the hub for diversity. People know this is a welcoming, eclectic space and our doors are open to all. I think that coffee and plants are a universal language that speaks to everyone.”

For more information, follow along on Facebook and Instagram @rootsplantsandcoffee.

SIP AND SAVOR

Roots Plants + Coffee

124 Erlanger Ave., Ste. B, Slidell, LA 70458 (504) 276-2876 | Instagram: @rootsplantsandcoffee