Coffee locale reopens after destructive fire
Reconstructed cafe retains traditional, tranquil atmosphere
By Cornelius Dowdell, Contributing Writer
Five months after a fire accident destroyed Highland Coffees, a favorite near campus coffee house reopened Tuesday.
Sunday night, May 26, a fire started next door at the Bayou Bar. The firefighters could not control the fire, and it spread to Highland Coffees, burning everything except the four exterior walls.
“It was a tragedy to hear the coffee shop had burned down. I felt like I was in a state of depression and that I had lost a home,” said Lucy Dyer, a graduate student.
Highland Coffees now is up and ready to serve its customers, offering its selection of coffee, tea and a wide variety of pastries made by local pastry companies.
“We bring in our green coffee beans from around the world. They are the finest products in the world. They are freshly roasted in the shop, and this, among others, makes us different from other coffee houses,” said Clarke Cadzow, Highland Coffees owner.
The shop has the same contemporary and traditional atmosphere.
Adding to the calm and relaxing environment, Highland Coffees plays classical music in the background while students and Baton Rouge residents relax.
As regular customers entered the building Tuesday, they noticed the place was similar to the old traditional style but had subtle differences, such as the darker blue and rich textures added to the walls.
“Our atmosphere is what makes us unique, but atmosphere comes second to customer service and quality of the product,” Cadzow said.
Students and residents who live in the area said they loved to come relax, study and converse in the coffee shop and are glad it reopened.
“I was a regular customer before the fire accident. I used to study here while I was in high school and now in college,” said Leicester Landon, a theater sophomore. “The coffee house is very spacious, and the environment is friendly compared to other coffee shops.”
Lindsay Spurlock, a general studies senior, believes the coffee house is a calm, relaxing place to study and gather thoughts.
“Highland Coffees has very loyal customers, and it is so gratifying that they have waited for us to reopen,” Cadzow said.
He said employees and owners put a lot of work in getting the coffee house back into business.