One of Baton Rouge’s restaurants experienced a shake-up over the summer. In August, City Pork Hospitality Group split with one of its restaurants, Southfin Southern Poké, and is closing its City Pork Kitchen & Pie location in the Industriplex area. City Pork Deli & Charcuterie and City Pork Bar & Brasserie will remain under the direction of Stephen Hightower, and Southfin will now be led by Trey Williams.
“We knew we had two great concepts, and both of us knew that for us to be able to do them the right way, we had to split up,” Hightower said. “[Williams’] focus became Southfin solely, and my focus became City Pork solely.”
Hightower said the Kitchen & Pie location on Exchequer Drive has already closed. City Pork plans to put the space up for lease or sale. Hightower also said sales were never the problem with the location.
For now, the focus is on the current City Pork locations, the Deli & Charcuterie located at 2363 Hollydale Ave, and the Bar & Brasserie at 7327 Jefferson Hwy. However, there are plans for growth in the future.
“Right now, it’s just taking the two restaurants and getting them where they need to be,” Hightower said. “In 2018, we’re looking to get back into growth mode.”
Throughout the business turmoil, Williams and Hightower have remained friends, Hightower said. The two had been discussing the idea for a while before it happened and Hightower said the split happened because the two restaurant concepts were so different and required the full attention of each.
“For us to be able to dedicate the time needed to make both concepts successful, this is what it took,” said Hightower. “The theme is to be better than ever now that we have a singular focus.”
City Pork sits on Jefferson Highway on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017.
