From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., one local cafe serves unapologetic coffee, juices and sandwiches to students, workers and everyone in between.
Southern Grind Cofé, located at 8418 Scotland Ave., opened in March 2017 to bring coffee to the neighborhood. Owner Horatio Isadore was passionate about bringing his love for coffee to the Baton Rouge area and said his experience in the city made him want to add something positive to the community.
“I wanted to be in this community,” Isadore said. “I went to Southern in the early ‘90s and it’s still very similar to when I got up here in the 2000s. I just wanted to make a difference and change, that’s all.”
Patrons often notice the peculiar spelling of “cofé” in the business’s moniker, but Isadore said its spelling was done deliberately to give the brand a special twist. “Cofé” is actually a completely original term coined by Isadore while brainstorming names for his business.
“I woke up in the middle of the night and thought, ‘cofé!’ Cofé is two words — first part is coffee and café is the second part,” Isadore said. “We combined coffee house and café and that’s how ‘cofé’ came about.”
When getting to know the business, the term “unapologetically” appears quite often. This term can be found anywhere, from the shop itself to the signature on Isadore’s emails. Isadore believes in a philosophy of being unapologetically who you are, and he fulfills this philosophy through his business.
“’Unapologetically’ comes from our spirit of being African-American,” Isadore said. “That word is used and bounced around in terms of what we’re unapologetic about — being unapologetic about your culture, unapologetic about where you are, unapologetic about where you’re going.” 
Isadore runs his shop with a hands-on approach. In addition to owning Southern Grind, he can also be seen taking orders, making drinks, greeting customers and wiping down tables. He said he believes it’s important for owners to have experience in all aspects of the industry to connect with the business and its patrons.
“The great Howard Schultz who started Starbucks, he worked in his shops,” Isadore said. “I know if he can do it, I can.”
The comfortable leather couches and soothing jazz music make Southern Grind Cofé a great place to unwind and relax. Isadore wanted to give local students a peaceful place to study, do work or mingle with friends, he said.
“Initially, it was really for the students, so they could share and have a better experience,” Isadore said. “I’m very proud of how the community and the students have embraced it.”
Isadore hopes the business will continue to succeed and serve the community for many years to come. He wants the business to continue with the beliefs and mindset with which it opened.
“If I have my way, in five or seven years, I don’t want to sell, I just want to entrust it to someone, to pay it forward, to someone who has the best interest of it.” Isadore said. “Doing it for the right reasons, doing it the right way, fighting the good fight.”

Gallery • 3 Photos

Aurianna Cordero

Southern Grind Cofé sits on Scotland Ave. in Baton Rouge on Monday, Oct. 15, 2018.