Industry News
Around town
"Every dollar of the STEDF budget generated $105 for St. Tammany. Our organization’s economic impact amounted to $88 million and 634 new jobs for the year."
– Brenda Bertus, CEO of the St. Tammany Economic Development Foundation (STEDF), which just released its 2015 annual report. To view the complete report, visit stedf.org.
LSU Part of $90 Million Deal
A technology invented by faculty at LSU Health New Orleans recently became part of an acquisition deal by global pharmaceutical company Allergan. In early January, Allergan acquired Anterios, a clinical stage pharmaceutical company, which licensed an LSU Health-patented technology in 2008 for the use of topical botulinum toxin to treat or prevent acne created by Drs. Ann Tilton, Dana Suskind and Mary Caire. In consideration for the license, LSU Health New Orleans received a mix of equity and royalties, and may potentially receive milestone payments.
LOCAL Home Depots Hiring Hundreds
In preparation for spring, its busiest selling season, The Home Depot plans to hire 525 associates in New Orleans and more than 80,000 nationwide. Available positions vary by store, and college students, retirees and veterans are encouraged to apply.
LHBA Announces 2015 Winners
Winners of the 2015 Louisiana Home Builders Association awards were announced on January 7. Included among them were Builder of the Year, Greg Manuel, Associate of the Year, Penni Aulds and Hall of Fame recipient, Dennis Smith. Michael LeCorgne received the Mike Penn Distinguished Service Award and Steve Wobbema was named Remodeler of the Year. Winners from Shreveport and New Orleans were also announced for the 2nd Annual Remodeling Excellence Awards. For a full list of winners, visit LHBA.org.
Recent Openings
Gambel Communications — Mandeville
New Orleans-based public relations firm Gambel Communications opened its second location at 111 N. Causeway Boulevard, Suite 205 in Mandeville on January 28. The event was co-hosted by the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce and attended by more than 75 guests.
Walmart Neighborhood Market
St. Bernard Parish welcomed a Walmart Neightborhood Market at 2500 Archbishop Hannan Boulevard in Meraux on January 27. The 42,000 square-foot store will expand grocery options for local residents.
Cavan Restaurant and Bar
The fourth project from New Orleans-based hospitality group LeBlanc + Smith — others include Sylvain, Meauxbar and Barrel Proof — Cavan Restaurant and Bar opened February 15 at 3607 Magazine Street. Set in a Victorian home built in 1881, the restaurant will feature classic coastal American cuisine.
Tabasco Visitors Center
McIlhenny Company, makers of TABASCO sauce, opened the TABASCO Pepper Sauce Visitors Center on Avery Island on February 2. The new center showcases the story behind the world famous sauce and provides an up-close look at the production process.
The Barre Code
New Orleans’ newest fitness boutique, The Barre Code, opened at 787 Harrison Avenue in Lakeview on February 13. The boutique is part of a Chicago-based fitness franchise and features an ever-evolving class curriculum of fitness classes for women.
COMING SOON
HRI Properties began construction on Homewood Suites New Orleans French Quarter this past December with a targeted opening date of the second quarter of 2017. The $40 million, 207-room extended stay hotel will be located at 317 N. Rampart Street to take advantage of the future streetcar line.
The second At Home residential décor superstore in Lousiana will open at 150 North Shore Boulevard in Slidell at the end of May. The 90,000 square-foot retail space will bring approximately 25 new full- and part-time jobs to the area and follows the opening of a location in Kenner last year.
Dunkin Donuts, together with franchise group, Panama City Donuts, is set to develop five new locations in New Orleans, with the first scheduled to open in 2017. The group currently operates three Louisiana Dunkin Donuts storefronts.
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