Panache Plaza retail center on Perkins Road is full of new tenants and ready for business.
Chris Shaheen, developer and agent with Saurage Rotenberg Commercial Real Estate, said the center completed its exterior construction around October 2011, and he expects the building to be completely leased by the end of February.
Rotolo’s Pizzeria and Lavish Nails and Spa recently opened in the center, and several other tenants are joining soon.
Those include two women’s fashion boutiques as well as Rival Nutrition and Lagniappe Family Medical, Shaheen said. Sola Salon, Le Bon Temps Roule Sports Bar and the outdoor home improvement store Cajun Wild Birds are set to move in soon as well.
This leaves two remaining spaces in the plaza, and Shaheen said he’s negotiating with four or five prospective tenants.
Shaheen said businesses are eager to move in because the area’s demographics are “the best in Baton Rouge,” while accessibility and visibility are also contributing factors.
The center is positioned next to Southside Produce, not far from hospitals, Perkins Rowe and the Mall of Louisiana.
“We have a lot of activity [in that area], not to mention rooftops — there are a lot of different factors, but being between Bluebonnet and Essen on Perkins is probably the most important,” he said.
Mitch Rotolo, Rotolo’s owner, said he was attracted to the Perkins location because that side of Baton Rouge doesn’t feature any other Rotolo’s.
“I thought it was a great location and great exposure for our brand,” he said.
Along with Rotolo’s pizzas, calzones, sandwiches and other Italian dishes, the Perkins location will offer a gelato bar, Rotolo said.
Rotolo’s, with its first location near campus on Nicholson Drive, has expanded to 21 locations in Louisiana, Alabama and Florida.
Rotolo said from now until July, he’s opening eight Rotolo’s locations.
“Our goal is to make the brand and Rotolo’s name a household name in the whole Southeast region,” he said.
Shaheen said Panache Plaza most frequently sees business from families and the 35-and-above group.
Rental space ranges from $19 to $22 per square foot, Shaheen said.
Shaheen is currently working to develop a 10-acre track on Burbank Drive. He said he’s planning to transform the area to house a sports bar that will boast the largest patio in Baton Rouge.
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Contact Emily Herrington at [email protected]
Panache Plaza to be fully leased soon
February 1, 2012