business

Major rehab of former Cafe Freret makes new location for Surrey’s, plus new coffee shop and empanada restaurant

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After a major historic structural renovation, the vacant former service station that for years was home to Cafe Freret is now slated to become a new location of popular Uptown breakfast spot Surrey’s, flanked on either side by a new family-oriented coffee shop called “Cafe au Play” and new location of Empanola. Cafe Freret closed at the end of 2015 after 11 years at the corner of Freret and Lowerline streets, and building owner Jody Ferchaud said it became clear that the building needed a complete structural rehabilitation, particularly focusing on the walls and the major columns holding up the broad overhang. After securing state and federal historic tax credits for a project she now estimates will end with a budget in excess of half a million dollars, she has now secured tenants for not only the main building on the corner, but each of the smaller buildings on its sides along Freret and Lowerline. “Finding a good tenant was difficult when the building was basically being reconstructed from the ground up,” Ferchaud said. “Then, I knew they would come.

business

New solarium brings plants-on-wheels concept to New Orleans

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It’s been a few years since the national food truck craze arrived in New Orleans, and now its next evolution has arrived — FAIT NOLA, a mobile nursery and greenhouse that a horticulturist mom and her two daughters hope will help spread their love of decorative succulents and ferns around the city. “It’s like a food truck, but for plants,” explained Laura Joffrion at a launch party for the project Saturday night. More specifically, FAIT NOLA is a plant design studio launched out of a retrofitted laundry truck that has been converted into a greenhouse. The two sisters, Laura Stirling Joffrion and Emily Fields Joffrion, and their mom, Kathleen Robinson, will take the truck to events around the city, selling plants, rocks, sand and glassware and teaching New Orleanians how to build a terrarium. “The whole vision is that we want people to be able to get their hands dirty and really learn how to be creative using plants as that medium,” Emily Joffrion said.

crime

Armed robberies reported on Erato, Annunciation, Carrollton

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Two people were robbed Monday morning on Erato Street, a woman who sells food out of her car was robbed at gunpoint on Annunciation Street in the afternoon, and a man was robbed of his car in the evening on South Carrollton, New Orleans police said. Around 9:15 a.m. Monday, Aug. 20, two men — one in his 50s and one in his late 20s — were in the 4100 block of Erato Street (near South Dupre Street) when they were confronted by an assailant dressed in all black who took their money at gunpoint, according to the initial NOPD report. Around 2:45 p.m., a woman in her 60s was driving near the 3600 block of Annunciation Street (near Foucher Street) where another vehicle cut her off in traffic, according to the report in that case. “The perpetrator exited the vehicle and asked the victim to buy food she sells from her trunk,” the report states.

events

Fundraiser at Eiffel Society will benefit two education nonprofits

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A happy hour fundraiser tonight at the Eiffel Society on St. Charles Avenue will benefit two New Orleans education nonprofits, one that recruits more black male teachers to provide positive role models in the classroom, and one that promotes success in science and technology. Hosted by the philanthropic organization “trepwork,” the fundraiser will run from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight (Tuesday, Aug. 21) at the Eiffel Society, and proceeds from drink specials will benefit the Brothers Empowered to Teach and STEM NOLA nonprofits. For more information, see the event announcement below from trepwork:

WHAT:           “trepwork for good” – a philanthropic event series hosted by trepwise & Eiffel Society to highlight eight local non-profits with four Pay it Forward Happy Hour events, once a month from August through November, to increase awareness and fundraising opportunities for each participating organization.

business

Cherry Coffee request for second restaurant in Lower Garden District sails through first hearing

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Cherry Coffee, the cafe that first launched in a former firehouse near Wisner Park, has won an enthusiastic thumbs-up from the City Planning Commission to convert its second location in the Lower Garden District into a restaurant. Cherry opened its second coffee shop in the newly-built Julian building at 1581 Magazine Street in April and is now seeking to stay open into the evening with a light dinner and drinks menu, just as it did with its original Laurel Street location, owner Lauren Fink told the City Planning Commission in a hearing on Tuesday, Aug. 14. “We are looking to extend our hours, and serve some alcohol and small bites in the evenings,” Fink said. The city planning staff said that Cherry’s request to become a restaurant requires city approval because of its location within the Magazine Street overlay district, and that it should be approved because it meets all the standards of the city’s Master Plan.

crime

Man stabbed in robbery attempt, New Orleans police say

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A man walking on St. Charles Avenue near the overpass was stabbed Sunday morning in a robbery attempt, New Orleans police said. The victim, a man in his 50s, was near St. Charles Avenue and Calliope Street shortly before 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 19, when he was confronted by an assailant who “demanded he empty his pockets,” according to the initial NOPD report.

city government

Low water pressure expected on Cherokee Street

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Low water pressure is expected Tuesday on Cherokee Street while a new water line is installed, the Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans said. Contractors with Fleming Construction will install the 8-inch pipe between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, possibly reducing water pressure for residents on Cherokee between Pearl and Dominican streets.

crime

Three people arrested in connection with armed robbery on Delachaise Street

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Three people were arrested this week in the investigation into an armed robbery on Delachaise Street, New Orleans police said. The robbery took place Aug. 12 in the 700 block of Delachaise Street. The suspects were all arrested Wednesday in Kenner on charges of armed robbery with a firearm, aggravated battery and criminal conspiracy, according to the NOPD report. They were identified as:

Daquan Davis, 19, who was found in the 2600 block of Dawson Street,
Eric Bridgewater, 21, in the 1000 block of 27th Street, and
Ralph Holmes, 19, in the 3000 block of Dawson Street.

schools

Sci High board approves $6.2 million budget for 2018-19

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The governing board of New Orleans Charter Science & Mathematics High School approved a $6.27 million budget Thursday that includes a minor deficit because of the last-minute addition of a new bus route, but officials say they expect to make up the shortfall quickly as the year begins. “We do have a negative right now,” said board treasurer Jim Schnieders. “But I’m not terribly concerned about what we’re forecasting right now”

The budget is based on the expectation of 480 students for the current school year, with 72.5 full-time employees on staff, Schneiders said. The deficit is nearly $30,000 more than the $6.24 million in expected revenue. The deficit emerged when the year began with more students than anticipated taking the school bus from the Westbank, forcing the school to add a second bus to that route.

court

Man indicted in Central City child-rape investigation, prosecutors say

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A man already convicted of a sexual-battery charge has been indicted on allegations of raping a 7-year-old girl three years ago in Central City, Orleans Parish prosecutors said. David Lewis, 40, is charged with first-degree rape on accusations that he forced the child to perform oral sex on him in a LaSalle Street home in early 2015, according to the indictment released Thursday afternoon. For more details, see the following news release from District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro’s office:

Lewis faces a mandatory lifetime prison sentence without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence if found guilty of the charge. Criminal District Judge Robin Pittman left unchanged Lewis’ $60,000 bond after the indictment was read. Lewis was arrested May 1 after the victim, now 10, disclosed the sexual abuse to her mother.