In the interim: The River Center Library’s temporary downtown branch inside the Kress Building at 447 3rd St., across from Matherne’s, officially opened this morning. The interim location will be utilized while a new, state-of-the art building is being constructed on the library’s existing site at 120 St. Louis St. The old facility closed on July 6. Construction of the replacement building is expected to last at least two years. In the meantime, the bulk of the library’s collection is in storage, though a selection of popular books, audiobooks, DVDs, magazines, newspapers and computers have been relocated to the temporary site. The temporary site will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; and from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Now open: Louisiana Bistreaux Steak & Seafood has opened at 4564 Bennington Ave., between Gino’s Restaurant and The Station Sports Bar & Grill. The Cajun-Creole restaurant opened July 13, with Patrick Dartez serving as executive chef. The restaurant’s owners had originally announced that former Blue Dog Cafe Chef Britt Shockley would lead its kitchen. But owner Derrick Wanland says the restaurant decided to make the change prior to opening. Dartez and Wanland worked together in New Orleans.
In the driver’s seat: Fiat Chrysler is ending U.S. production of its passenger automobiles and will instead focus entirely on pickups and SUVs for its Ram and Jeep brands, USA Today reports. The company is winding down production of the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Dart—both of which have disappointed in sales—and will primarily produce Jeep SUVs and Ram pickups in the U.S. Remaining car models will be made in Canada and Mexico. The decision to end U.S. passenger car production is part of CEO’s Sergio Marchionne says plan to increase profit margins to match competitors. USA Today has the full story.
