Schlotzsky’s returning to BR with Essen sandwich shop

Schlotzsky’s Deli plans to return to Baton Rouge with a restaurant in the small strip center at 5565 Essen Lane, across from Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. The restaurant will occupy the two spaces formerly occupied by PJ’s Coffee and Verizon Wireless. Property owner M.J. Wolfe, a New Orleans-area businessman, says he has signed a letter of intent with a franchisee group of the Austin, Texas-based chain and that the deli should be open by early 2015. Two prior Schlotzsky’s locations—one on Jefferson Highway and another on South Sherwood Forest Boulevard—have closed over the past two years. But Wolfe is optimistic his new tenant will do well at the Essen Lane location because it is an experienced franchisee group with multiple successful Schlotzsky’s restaurants in the south. Though the strip center is along one of the busiest thoroughfares in Baton Rouge, it has experienced high turnover. PJ’s, which opened in 2009 after Starbucks closed, shut its doors last month. Wolfe could not say why, and a PJ’s executive declines to comment. Verizon also closed earlier this year. A third space in the center, previously occupied by Quizno’s, remains vacant. Wolfe say he hopes to have a new tenant in that space soon. —Stephanie Riegel