The shopping center at 7474 Corporate Blvd. will soon welcome two new tenants: Popcorn Bistro and Smashburger. While it will be the second Baton Rouge location for Popcorn Bistro, it will be the area’s first Smashburger.
Popcorn Bistro will open its fifth Louisiana location on Nov. 15 in the space previously occupied by Quiznos. Smashburger, a Denver-based fast casual chain, plans to open a location in March in the space formerly home to Louisiana Pizza Kitchen, which is currently subleased to Trios Mexican Bar and Grill. Popcorn Bistro owner Richard Capdeboscq says he’s been eyeing a location in the strip center for years.
“I would not have gone in that area if I had not gotten that specific spot,” Capdeboscq says. “Everyone is going to drive out of [Towne Center] and look at your shop.”
The neighborhood is a good fit for the shop because it is at the center of Baton Rouge, near a mix of both middle- and high-income households, Capdeboscq says. Popcorn Bistro is also moving its current location in the Mall of Louisiana to another suite in the mall, which will open by Dec. 1. Capdeboscq says he’s able to remodel so quickly because he is also a commercial contractor and does his own build-outs. Popcorn Bistro’s new space is 1,650 square feet, while the Smashburger location is 2,780 square feet.
“The Towne Center area continues to be a hot area that people are drawn to relocate to,” says Mark Hebert of Kurz & Hebert Commerical Real Estate, who brokered deals for both new tenants in the Corporte shopping center. —Kelly Connelly
