Square 46, the mixed-used development that will be home to the gourmet food hall White Star Market, is expected to open on Government Street in the late summer or early fall at the latest, a news release says.
The release also identifies The Big Squeezy as the last and final vendor of White Star Market. “Vendor interest in White Star has been overwhelming since the day we first announced the project,” White Star Market co-owner Whitney Gaines says in a statement. “We really wanted to take our time selecting that final concept, to ensure it would be a compliment to the other businesses we have while also offering something completely different.”
The Big Squeezy is expanding throughout the Baton Rouge market. The juice bar opened new locations at 327 North Blvd., inside Matherne’s Supermarket downtown and has plans for a new location on the first floor of the LSU Student Union.
The Big Squeezy also is moving into the New Orleans market and plans to open a new location on St. Charles Avenue.
Co-owner Ash Shoukry says The Big Squeezy was drawn to White Star Market because of the strength of the gourmet food hall concept.
“One of the huge benefits for us being in White Star Market is that we can try new dishes, let our customers try them and get feedback and then roll those out storewide based on that data,” Shoukry says in a statement. “Having this type of asset for our business will be huge for us as we continue to expand and develop the Big Squeezy brand.”
The Big Squeezy’s White Star Market location will offer its normal selection of juices and snack options. Shoukry says the juice bar also will use White Star Market’s commercial kitchen to test new menu ideas, like Acai and Quinoa bowls and avocado toast.
Developer and architect Josh Hoffpauir broke ground on Square 46 in September. The 25,000-square-foot, mixed-use development is being built on the site of the former Giamanco’s restaurant. Hoffpauir has leased about 5,900 square feet of space to White Star Market.
Aside from The Big Squeezy, the gourmet food hall will host Jolie Pearl Oyster Bar’s Jolie @ The Market, Jay Ducote’s Gov’t Taco, New Orleans Chef Micah Martello’s Fete au Fete, Chef Michael Mangham’s Silver Spoon, Acadiana Chef Jesse Romero’s Robear Ln. eatery and the Lafayette-based Rêve Coffee Roasters.
