Late nights and early mornings have drawn night crawlers and early birds alike to Louie’s Cafe in the heart of Northgate. Regardless of the time of day, the diner’s clientele always returns.
Operating as the second-oldest restaurant in Baton Rouge since 1941, Louie’s has occupied its current location for 28 years. The establishment’s close quarters and open kitchen contribute to its cozy atmosphere. To expand the restaurant, Louie’s owners Jimmy Wetherford Sr. and Frank Duvic purchased the former Wendy’s building on Lake Street in spring 2014.
The move was originally set for August, but was reset to early October, though no specific date has been confirmed. Wetherford said the move has been delayed because of construction projects and permit delays.
“The move is coming along great,” Wetherford said. “If I had to guess, I would say it is about 75 percent complete.”
Relocation means a wider availability of parking and seating options. Parking is now available for current Louie’s customers at the new Lake Street location.
Communication studies sophomore Julia McConnell has been both a loyal customer and employee of the diner. An employee since February, she said she is excited about the upcoming move despite fears that the diner will lose its family atmosphere because of the new, bigger space. But McConnell said she is reassured by the amount of big business Louie’s expects in the near future.
McConnell said her time as customer affected her decision to become an employee.
“I was a customer here way before I worked here,” she said. “[Other customers] were like, ‘Don’t you work here?’ And I was like, ‘I do now.’”
Iconic elements of Louie’s, like the red bar stools, will remain the same alongside new improvements, such as an extra kitchen in the rear of the restaurant as well as the traditional front kitchen.
Relocation means new additions and marketing. The biggest addition to the new location is the drive-thru window to retrieve pick-up orders. Customers can call ahead and drive up to the window to get their Louie’s favorites.
The food and atmosphere have kept loyal customers returning to Louie’s. A four-year customer, kinesiology sophomore Mary Lively could not decide between the French toast and chicken-fried steak dinner as her favorite.
Lively said the move is a good idea, but she fears the new location will diminish the restaurant’s authenticity.
Aside from improvements to seating and parking, “Louie’s is perfect the way it is,” she said. Recalling late nights studying for exams, she has placed roots in its current location, but understands the need for a change.