A pizzeria and nail salon have recently opened in Panache Plaza at 8342 Perkins Road—between Bluebonnet Boulevard and Essen Lane—and several businesses will follow suit in the coming months. Rotolo’s Pizzeria just opened its 21st restaurant in the retail center, and Lavish Nail Salon is also open, says Chris Shaheen, developer/agent with Saurage Rotenberg Commercial Real Estate. A pair of women’s boutiques—AICRE Boutique and You and I Fashions—have also signed leases and are in the middle of building out their spaces. Shaheen says the same is true for Cajun Wild Birds, an outdoors store; Lagniappe Family Medical, a private walk-in clinic; and Rival Nutrition. Le Bon Temps Bar and Grill, meanwhile, is in the process of getting its necessary permits, and Shaheen says he expects there will be no objections. Two retail spaces remain open, he says, and negotiations are ongoing with several retailers. “I expect to be totally leased by the end of February,” Shaheen says. At one point, Chris’ Specialty Meats was negotiating for a space in the center, but Shaheen says negotiations appear to have fallen through. The 26,600-square-foot strip center broke ground last summer. Shaheen says the development was a rare project in the current economy, as it received financing when just one business had committed to a lease. He says the project probably wouldn’t have been financed under such conditions if it were located in any other area of the city. “As far as demographics go, that’s about the strongest area in Baton Rouge,” he says. —Steve Sanoski
Editor’s note: This story has been changed since its original publication.
