Places & Faces
BROAD ST. A STORY OF REVITALIZATION by Kerry Andersen
The Capital One tower rises above storm ravaged Lake Charles, its checkerboard of plywood patches like a family quilt, each square replacing a pane of broken glass while serving as an ever-present visual reminder that recovery from Hurricane Laura will take time. Just below, in the heart of downtown, businesses all along Broad Street are working with grit and determination to rebuild and reopen. It’s a story that has played out on these same city blocks since the turn of the century. “Broad Street has long been a principal commercial street in the city, ever since the Dummyline (a private streetcar) ferried passengers from lakefront merchants to the rail yards and warehouses near First Avenue,” historian Adley Cormier says. “While downtown commercial Lake Charles was mostly centered on Ryan Street, many important businesses including banks, the American Press newspaper and JC Penney were all sited on Broad Street historically.” In fact, it is in many of those same historic buildings that the modern-day Broad Street is experiencing a revitalization, fueled by the dreams of a new generation of shop owners, and undeterred by mother nature’s cruel winds. “The events of 2020 delivered a powerful punch to locally-owned small businesses, but we are encouraged by the resiliency of the community,” says Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter. “A vibrant downtown is critical to a rich quality of life experience for any city, and it is incredible to see residents and visitors returning downtown to eat, shop, and support these small businesses.”
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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • June 2021
Corner Market (729 Ryan) The address reads Ryan Street, but the Corner Market is very much a staple of the reenergized Broad Street corridor. Perched on the corner of Broad and Ryan, this downtown market carries local products and everyday essentials. Owned and operated by husband/wife team Jason and Elizabeth Machulski, the market escaped hurricane damage but lost inventory. They reopened 27 days after the storm and remain an important resource for those who live and work in the neighborhood.
Panorama Music House (331 Broad) opened in the spring of 2019 in a century-old Broad Street building that has been home to live music in some format for decades. Just one night of devastating winds lifted the roof off and peeled back the site’s brick façade. Undeterred, owner Jay Ecker says, “You can’t keep a good bar down!” The popular establishment is working with PERC Development and architect Jeff Kudla to reimagine Panorama’s space and expand the upstairs with additional room for dining, parties and a rooftop bar. Owners hope to be open in some capacity in time for Chuck Fest on October 16, 2021.
