New Orleans pizzeria Reginelli’s is renovating the former Compact Disc Store location at 684 Jefferson Highway in Mid City and plans on opening the restaurant—its second in Baton Rouge—in March, says owner Darryl Reginelli. “We plan on continuing to expand in Baton Rouge,” Reginelli says. “I don’t have any particular locations in mind at the moment, but I would like to have a third Baton Rouge restaurant by the end of 2012.” Reginelli and his business partners launched the pizzeria in New Orleans about 15 years ago. The Jefferson Highway location will be the ninth—with seven in New Orleans and two in Baton Rouge. Reginelli says Baton Rouge and Houston will be the focus of continued expansion, and he hopes to add as many as three restaurants a year for the foreseeable future.
The Compact Disc Store closed early this year after 26 years in business. Reginelli says he was attracted to the 2,700-square-foot location due to the strength of the surrounding neighborhood. “We planned on expanding in Baton Rouge shortly after we entered the market about five years ago, but we just never really found the right opportunity or space. The biggest thing that drew me to this location is that it’s in a really well-established neighborhood, and our aim is to become a part of the community.” Serving pizza, salads, sandwiches and calzones, Reginelli’s other Baton Rouge location is near LSU at 124 W. Chimes St. —Steve Sanoski
