After being closed for nearly two years, local burger and soda shop Dearman’s has experienced a successful first month since its reopening in December.
Dearman’s closed in March 2016 after a fire damaged the building, according to manager Casey Evans. The cause of the fire was suspected to be from an electrical outlet, but Evans said the cause of the fire remains undetermined.
Evans said business is “mayhem” since the restaurant opened its doors. Since the reopen Dearman’s has seen more customers than it is able to maintain. He said the support has been “uplifting” and several Dearman’s fans were personally involved in helping reopen the restaurant.
Dearman’s waitress Emma Mercer said she was scheduled to work the morning of the fire.
“I just sat down on my bed and cried because I love Dearman’s, and I love working here,” Mercer said.
Mercer said after the fire, Evans asked her to rejoin the team, and she immediately said yes.
Dearman’s opened in Bocage Village Shopping Center in the late 1950s operating as a drug store with a lunch counter until the 2000s when Dearman’s became a full service restaurant, Evans said. One of the previous owners briefly changed the name to Billy B’s, but the current owner restored its original name.
Dearman’s has remained in Bocage since its opening about 60 years ago.
Dearman’s landlord at Bocage Village Shopping Center terminated Dearman’s lease, Evans said. The landlord allowed Dearman’s to apply for a new lease, but he also reviewed other applicants.
Evans said rebuilding Dearman’s relationship with the landlord was “sticky at first,” but, an outpouring of community support eventually won the landlord over. Dearman’s was set to move back into its original location in Bocage.
The restaurant maintains most of its old-school charm and decor with only a change in the grill’s location and additional equipment to handle the influx of customers, Evans said. Dearman’s also added a veggie burger and other new items to the menu.
Even with the new menu items, Evans said customers are mainly ordering Dearman’s burgers, an old favorite and staple for Baton Rouge natives.
Dearman’s holds a special place in the memories of many Baton Rouge natives, including natural resource ecology and management freshman Dean Jolly. Jolly said his grandfather lives near Dearman’s, and the two frequented the restaurant when he was growing up.
“He’d bring us dinner a lot so it’s just a good memory thing and nostalgic feelings,” Jolly said.
When the restaurant announced its reopening, Jolly said he made a point to be there on its first day of business. He said he was pleased the restaurant maintained the look and feel he remembers growing up.
“I had to go as soon as I could,” Jolly said. “So many people were talking about it and you could tell so many people were impacted by it.”

Gallery • 7 Photos

Dilyn Stewart

The Original Dearman's Soda Shop operates during normal business hours on Monday, Jan. 8, 2018.