If the ownership debacle at The Standard at Baton Rouge apartment complex, now known as University House, taught LSU students anything, it’s to avoid developers who care more about dollar signs than students.
Stephanie Riegel with the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report found real estate investors are looking to buy properties on West Chimes Street. She reported real estate agents from NAI/Latter & Blum contacted the owners of Inga’s Subs & Salads, what used to be Chinese Combo King and other unspecified establishments.
This isn’t the first time the future of Chimes Street was uncertain. The street looks different today than it did when I came to the university in 2013.
Mahoney’s replaced Reginelli’s, Insomnia Cookies became the dessert powerhouse it is today and Chinese Combo King gave way to whatever Vietnamese place just went down the tubes.
Who could forget the impassioned response the hipster community of LSU had when Highland Coffees suggested it would close its medium-roast doors? After a benefit concert and lots of espresso, the bean gallery decided to stay open.
I’m sure somebody older than me could rattle off another five shuttered businesses there and gone before my time. In this sense, there’s nothing new about the potential takeover.
However, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t worry about what will happen. Redevelopment usually means bigger, fancier and more expensive establishments.
For example, take Newk’s Eatery right next to the Student Health Center. The pizzas are to die for, but I can’t afford to go there more than once a week in fear of my wallet leaving me for somebody with more money. I’m sure most people reading this are in a similar position.
Upscaling everything from apartments to restaurants is the latest trend among Baton Rouge developers. One might go so far as to call it gentrification.
New apartments are always billed as luxurious, with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Somehow, restaurants expect college students to afford $15 hamburgers and $11 salads.
But the most luxurious option isn’t always the best for students or investors. The Standard at Baton Rouge apartment complex has just as many issues with poor management and maintenance as the cheap apartment complexes behind Tigerland.
If the investors interested in buying up West Chimes Street are smart, they’ll create affordable options. As Riegel’s article notes, relying on students as customers is a tricky business. Most leave town for winter and summer and few have the resources to sustain any kind of upscale business.
One of the reasons Louie’s Cafe does so well is because they keep it simple and cheap. Nobody wants to blow another $20 on food after they just picked up the last round of drinks.
Thankfully, some of the business owners recognize a brand new Northgate won’t fix the current problems. Hopefully the rest follow suit. I just hope the profit motive doesn’t turn the community into a glorified tourist trap for rich kids.
Jack Richards is a mass communication junior from New Orleans, Louisiana. You can follow him on Twitter @jayellrichy.

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