One thing my dad told me when I transferred to the University in spring 2010 was “Chris, since football season’s done, you’ll be bored in Baton Rouge. I bet you’ll be home every weekend.”
I didn’t understand what he meant. I could only think about how much fun the capital city could be. So when I asked why, he told me because “Baton Rouge is New Orleans’ culturally deficient relative.”
I had heard this before, and I didn’t believe him. But once I moved in to the city, I realized he was right.
There is no French Quarter. There is no Uptown. Bars close at 2 a.m., and there isn’t much diversity between them.
Moreover, the streets of Baton Rouge aren’t lined with privately-owned, local restaurants — the city is dotted with boring, corporate-owned chains catering to college students’ needs. And anyone willing to argue with that statement can post a derogatory comment, or at least send me a threatening email — I’ll also pay someone to count the number of fast food restaurant chains surrounding campus.
And while I was disgusted with the lack originality around campus, I did notice one locale that stood out from others — the North Gate area.
To me, Chimes Street was the closest thing to New Orleans’ Magazine Street. And though small in scale, the area provided me with some relief from my culture shock — well, lack of culture shock, that is.
The area wasn’t full of chain establishments.
The Varsity, Highland Coffees, The Chimes and numerous other businesses graced the area with their originality and creativity.
But a major setback now threatens to ruin this area and blend it in with the corporate dullness that marks the rest of Baton Rouge. This setback is conveniently titled College Row.
The remarkable — and Campus Apartments owned — College Row is bringing in some much-needed chains to the area.
CVS, PJ’s Coffee, Pita Pit, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt and Buffalo Wild Wings will occupy College Row and offer their oh-so-unique products to students.
This is all very good because another pharmacy, yogurt vendor and some nationally recognized restaurant chains are exactly what the unique area needs. Oh, the PJ’s Coffee is necessary as well, though Highland Coffees sits within walking distance.
Actually, College Row will not only attempt to ruin the North Gate area, but will continue the corporate trend that dominates Baton Rouge. And with this trend, Baton Rouge will continue to blend in with the rest of America’s culture-lacking cities, and the city will continue to be known for one thing — the University.
I’m not saying College Row should have been barred from opening, and I’m not a corporation-hating pretentious hipster who only shops at thrift stores and eats at obscure cafés — I enjoy Wendy’s and Starbuck’s as much as the next guy. I am simply saying more individualism
needs to be promoted through local establishments in the area.
More chain companies, though they are bound to make a ton of revenue, are not what the city needs. These corporate businesses will only procure money that might have been spent at local businesses, thus taking funds out of the local business owners’ hands and putting them into corporate hands, which will then allow them to open more and more chains, keeping students more and more bored.
Though Dan Bernstein, Campus Apartments Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, previously told The Daily Reveille that bringing in local business wasn’t possible, as Campus Apartments needed companies that could pay off their leases, Campus Apartments should have considered the area they were planning to commercialize and tried harder to find local businesses to move into the company’s new building.
If this had been done, the only original area of Baton Rouge may not be in jeopardy of becoming as diverse as the look-alike women of sorority row.
So now, almost a year into my career at the University, I have completely understood what my dad told me before I left. Baton Rouge is relatively boring, and it doesn’t seem to be getting better.
And once football season comes to end, another thing my dad told me is certain — I’ll be going home on the weekends.
Chris Grillot is a 19-year-old mass communication and English sophomore from New Orleans. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_cgrillot.
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Contact Chris Grillot at [email protected]