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Old 08-22-2010, 01:14 AM
 
1,255 posts, read 3,487,929 times
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I was thinking of moving down to New Orleans & starting a small outdoor cafe that serves all-natural products. I'm attracted to the "up & coming" urban/walkable neighborhoods where there's a lot of neat hip businesses & things going on, but still not quite there yet so its still affordable.

What neighborhoods would you guys recommend I check out? Thanks.
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Old 08-22-2010, 05:39 AM
 
Location: City of Central
1,837 posts, read 4,354,687 times
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How many months of the year ( in N.O.) are condusive to outdoor dining ?
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Old 08-22-2010, 10:49 AM
 
Location: New Orleans, LA
310 posts, read 854,757 times
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I'd say Magazine Street, but that is already THE area for what you're describing. Maybe S. Carrollton near Oak St? It's accessible by streetcar. But like mhounit said, there aren't as many months conducive to outdoor dining in New Orleans as one might think. April and October are pretty much it with the exception of a nice March, November, or a cooler September... Maybe throw the very beginning of May in there. Our heat indices since June have been well over 100 and last winter, it got below freezing on many occasions. Many smaller restaurants I frequent that have outdoor seating haven't even been making it an option this summer. Your idea sounds great but you might want to make sure you have indoor options as well. Being exclusively outdoors down here is probably not in the best interest of your business.
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Old 08-22-2010, 12:32 PM
 
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Thank you. Yeah, I know what you mean about the crazy heat. I live in FL now & its been miserable. No one does anything outside here in the summer it seems (except beach stuff).

Yeah, I'll def have indoor seating too. My idea for the place is kind of unique, so I'll be building a structure myself & won't be using anything existing. Which may be difficult in a historic area. Are there any areas like I described but with vacant lots? I was thinking maybe around the Bywater area??

Also, technically I could make it a "mobile business", meaning just put the structure on wheels & then plop it somewhere semi-perminant, but that would limit my design.
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Old 08-22-2010, 06:57 PM
 
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1 in three food service industry locations don't make it.

In Louisiana you want your food products to be outstanding more than unique, and you should do fine.
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Old 08-22-2010, 11:14 PM
 
1,255 posts, read 3,487,929 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SacalaitWhisperer View Post
1 in three food service industry locations don't make it.

In Louisiana you want your food products to be outstanding more than unique, and you should do fine.
Yeah, startups are always scary, thats for sure. But I feel like I have to try.

I meant that the structure & setting was to be the unique part. I def plan on serving great products. Just gotta find the right spot.
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Old 08-23-2010, 12:51 AM
 
Location: Youngsville, LA
432 posts, read 1,085,796 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KerryB View Post
Yeah, startups are always scary, thats for sure. But I feel like I have to try.

I meant that the structure & setting was to be the unique part. I def plan on serving great products. Just gotta find the right spot.
I've found that outdoor dining in the hot months isn't so bad as long as there's no direct sunlight, coupled with fans and/or a well thought out breeze-way to take advantage of the ambient airflow. I've had lunch outdoors at one of my favorite Italian eateries just about every week since summer began here in Lafayette with very little discomfort from the heat. Always a nice gentle breeze while in the shade.

Find a spot you like, then learn IT'S characteristics. Design and build accordingly.

Best of luck!
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Old 08-25-2010, 06:42 AM
 
1,110 posts, read 2,240,599 times
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There are some really good out of the way mom and pop restaurants all through Acadiana.

If it is good, they'll come to you.

Best Stop boudin comes to mind. I know people who'll drive across the parish for that stuff.

Location, Location, Locationis more than a slogan, I agree,
but many mom and pop's have disproven that theory.
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Old 08-25-2010, 09:44 AM
 
Location: Mostly in my head
19,855 posts, read 65,824,181 times
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"We Never Close" was a great sandwich shop not far from my office in N.O. East. It was in a gas station and was thronged with customers almost all day long. Talk about no ambiance! It always has been and always will be the food that brings in customers in N.O.
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Old 09-10-2010, 09:29 AM
 
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Thumbs up opening up a cafe in no

i always thought that the business district right across canal from the french quarter would be a good place. there are lots of people working, quite a number of hotels and alot of old,large and filled, apartment buildings.......yet there is so little here, restaurant wise. it seems that what is here is white table cloth. we live 3 blocks from bourbon street and yet it seems so desolate at night in the cbd. if you are a women you can get special incentive loans if you are opening up a business here. you would have to call around for info. good luck.
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