Headed up north: Pelican State Credit Union has opened up a location in Shreveport, its ninth branch in Louisiana. This is the northernmost location for Pelican State, which was established in 1956 as a credit union for the state Department of Hospitals. Pelican State paid $190,000 earlier this month to take over a credit union service center outlet, which allowed members of any Louisiana credit union to make deposits, withdrawals or use the ATM. While the storefront location will be rebranded as a Pelican State branch, it will still remain as a service outlet.
Redevelopment: A bill by State Rep. Steve Carter would create the Bluebonnet Conference Hotel Taxing District to finance renovation of the half-completed Jimmy Swaggart Ministries dormitory and turn it into a conference hotel. Developer Mike Wampold bought the dorm on Bluebonnet Boulevard in 2004, with plans to turn it into a 348-room Marriott Renaissance Hotel. The $70 million project has been stymied by the recession and the ongoing credit crisis. Carter’s House Bill 877 would allow for tax increment financing, which would allow projected sales tax revenue from the hotel to back bonds to pay for construction or renovation costs.
Out of vino: Martin Wine Cellar has closed its Jefferson Highway location and consolidated all of its operations in its Perkins Road store. Paul Riley, general manager, says the Perkins location, which opened in early December, has more room for wine, beer and spirits. Martin owns the 3,600-square-foot Perkins Road location, while the New Orleans chain leased the 3,000-square-foot Jefferson location. Tony DeMarco, a commercial agent with NAI/Latter & Blum, says a purchase agreement has already been reached for the Jefferson location, two days after it got on the market.
