After two years in business just outside the south gates of the LSU campus, Leroy’s restaurant closed its doors for the last time on March 29. Owner Stephen Hightower says closing the restaurant, named for his grandfather, was bittersweet and not something he wanted to do. However, Hightower—who also co-owns both City Pork restaurants—says it was time to focus on the restaurants that are growing and thriving.
“We had some great moments and rocky times—and many more great then rocky—but it was never going to financially reward me like I wanted it to,” he says. “At some point you have to make business decisions when something isn’t making as much money as you think it should.”
Hightower says City Pork Deli & Charcuterie at the Perkins Road Overpass, which opened in 2013, and City Pork Brasserie & Bar on Jefferson Highway, which opened in 2014, are both thriving. Hightower says he and co-owners Chase Lyons and Trey Williams are concentrating on growing that brand.
“Our second location (on Jefferson Highway) has been outstanding and we’ve exceeded expectations,” Hightower says. “It’s been an incredible start to that restaurant, which is hopefully paving the way for other opportunities for us.”
Former State Sen. Marty Chabert will assume the former Leroy’s space at 4001 Nicholson Dr. and open a second location of his Marty J’s Specialty Meats, Seafood & PoBoys. The first location opened at the corner of Perkins Road and Siegen Lane earlier this year.
—Stephanie Riegel
