Mold Remediation in Lafayette, LA

When Jet Coffee opened its first location in Lafayette in 2019, the accessibility, ease of service and unique flavors quickly got people's attention.

For drivers in the middle of their morning commute into Lafayette from Maurice or Milton, pulling into the Jet drive-thru on Camino Real Road and ordering a signature drink like the "Cloud 9" (a white chocolate vanilla swirl coffee beverage) quickly became a matter of routine. And it was a matter of intention for Jet Coffee founder John Tommasini, who knew that every detail had to be exactly right to achieve the homegrown brand's lofty goals.

READ MORE: Get caffeinated: Inside the rapid growth of Jet Coffee and why drive-thru coffee is so popular

That includes details like building Jet's first location at 101 Camino Real Road, Lafayette, on the "breakfast" side of Johnston Street. It meant training employees to provide an excellent customer experience, and treating his staff well so that they'd be front-line partners in his dream to expand the company across the region.

Five years later, it's looking like those plans are working out. With four locations from Lafayette to Broussard — the brand's fourth spot, in midtown Lafayette, opened on Oct. 18 — Jet Coffee has experienced steady growth. And now, with a new roasting facility and attached café housed at the Camino Real store, the company hopes to position itself for further expansion.

"We really wanted to roast more in house," said Austinn Goin, Jet Coffee's head roaster. "We've opened a couple of new stores recently, and I'm roasting a little north of 2,000 pounds of coffee a week now, and that's kind of a big operation. So we started brainstorming what's next.

"Typically, roasteries are kind of behind the scenes, in warehouse spaces, not in the public view. John had this really cool idea that a customer could walk in and see behind the scenes, and see what goes on in production from when we receive the green coffee in burlap sacks, all the way until it goes in the cup."

That concept turned into "The Hangar," built in a wide-open, airy style that evokes the company's high-flying brand. Customer seating is arranged around the roasting machines, and guests can observe Goin throughout the day roasting fresh bags of beans and testing different blends.

"The space offers us a lot of potential to really show people how coffee gets started, because it doesn't start as the brown bean," says Abby Sirois, manager at The Hangar. "We can have sit-down classes like a cupping class, to expand the palate and show people that black coffee doesn't just taste like black coffee — it can taste like blueberries, or brown sugar, or black iced tea. We can teach people how to do a hand pour over, and they can get their own little set up when they come in to make coffee at home. They don't always have to come through the drive-thru, even though we love when our customers are here."

Goin says that the art of roasting and cupping coffee is very similar to wine tastings, where you analyze the scents and flavor notes of the different coffee terroirs around the world — Brazil and Ethiopia are two major coffee-growing regions — and identify which beans and blends are best suited to different coffee experiences.

"Right now, we're working on a Christmas blend," says Goin. "We've never had our own Christmas blend, just our standard Jet blends. So we do some experimenting, and then cup the coffee, and that's how you look for defects in the coffee, as well as how to modify a roast to suit a certain flavor. Light, medium, dark — different coffees take to different roasts differently."

As Tommasini looks to continue Jet's expansion, their roasting facilities will expand as well. For now, The Hangar is providing the company with the space to both exert more control over their product, and allow customers to further invest in the brand experience.

"All the different flavors you can get out of the bean, they all tell a story," says Goin. "We would like to host roasting classes where customers can potentially create their own blend. If your blend ends up being really good, maybe we can feature it at Jet. It's part of what makes Jet special — how we treat people, and what we try to bring to the customer."

Residents fear future of Lafayette Square

Lafayette Square residents fear their neighborhood being destroyed due to a Metro tunneling project.

The Brief

LOS ANGELES - The Metro K Line expansion will add a new rail service to Los Angeles' Miracle Mile neighborhood, to Hollywood and West Hollywood. Now, the people who live in Lafayette Square are worried their historically Black neighborhood will be decimated for the city’s future.

"It keeps us up at night," neighbor Robi Reed said.

"Why this neighborhood? Why this black and brown neighborhood? This is a historically preserved neighborhood for a reason. There is a lot of history here," she added.

Robi Reed and her neighbor Lauran Jackson Smith have been fighting to push LA Metro to change course on the K Line Northern Extension plan. The proposed route would tunnel under their historic neighborhood.

"I immediately think eminent domain, and that may not be the case. We just don't know," Lauran Jackson Smith said.

But LA Metro’s Anthony Crump says that is not the case.

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"We understand that fear," Crump said. "We understand the concern. It's their homes that we're talking about. However, we have no intentions of purchasing any of the properties in that neighborhood, nor are we taking down or demolishing any of the properties of the neighborhood."

Crump acknowledges and told Good Day LA’s Brooke Thomas the phrase "acquisition or easements" could cause concern, however, there’s nothing to worry about.

"The acquisitions that we're talking about are underground easements. So in essence, we'll be building a tunnel underneath the neighborhood, and we need to acquire the right to go underneath that particular neighborhood. That's the only acquisition that we'll be doing in that neighborhood."

Reed and Jackson Smith are not convinced. They say they need more proof and assurance.

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Jill McGehee and Amy Broussard of Acadiana Vintage Finds join Discover Lafayette to discuss their inaugural marketplace event to be held October 25 – 27, 2024 at Blackham Coliseum in Lafayette.

If you love consignment or thrift shopping, want to do your bit to purchase repurposed items to reduce waste production and conserve resources while supporting sustainable consumer habits, or just love the thrill of the hunt, Acadiana Vintage Finds’ offerings will please your tastes.

How did this event come about? About two years ago, Jill began mulling over the lack of access to a one-stop shop for unique accessories and vintage items that can be purchased by people on a budget or who want to purchase unique items that have vintage appeal.

On the same note, thrift shopping is on the rise nationally and Lafayette has some catching up to do! The thrift store industry in the U.S. generates over $17 billion in revenue annually. A few statistics: The average thrift store item is sold for about 75% less than its original retail price. 56% of thrift store consumers are under the age of 35. 80% of thrift store revenue is reinvested into the local community. It is definitely a real industry to take seriously.

With all that said, about a year ago Jill reached out to Amy, her close friend from their Comeaux High days here in Lafayette, to partner with her to pull off this event. The upside is that Acadiana Vintage Finds will offer our community plenty of shopping opportunities for the home and personal apparel, Christmas gifts, and so much more.

Acadiana Vintage Finds will feature everything from vintage fashion to antique treasures, handmade wonders, and gourmet delights. Repurposed furniture and lamps, new baby clothes, and uniqe jewelry will be found. This type of shopping is such a delightful to find unique ways to upgrade your home and fashion while keeping within a budget. Whether you’re a vintage lover, treasure hunter, or just love discovering unique items, there’s something here for everyone!

Patrons can purchase a 3-day parking pass for $13.00 or a one day pass on Sunday for $10.00 where you will find all the markdowns from merchandise for sale on the last day. Vendors will be offering clothing & accessories, furniture and home decor, photography and artwork, collectibles and memorabilia, and there will be food truck offering delicious eats! Visit here to purchase a parking pass.

According to the Journal of Antiques and Collectibles, 2024 was poised to be a year where vintage and retro trends took center stage. From the resurgence of ’90s nostalgia in fashion to the revival of retrocolor palettes in interior design, this year promised a celebration of the past. Designers are reimagining classic elements with fresh, playful styles, making Acadiana Vintage Finds the perfect destination for those seeking to embrace these trends.

Banannie Bands, pictured above, will offer children’s items at Acadiana Vintage Finds.

When: October 25-27, 2024

Time: Friday & Saturday 10 AM- 4 PM; Sunday 10 AM- 3 PM

Where: Blackham Coliseum, Lafayette, LA

Cajun Cuisine will be joining the event as a food truck vendor at Acadiana Vintage Finds.

For more information and to purchase a parking pass, visit https://www.acadianavintagefinds.com/.

LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) - Looking for the coziest spots in Lafayette to enjoy a warm cup of coffee or tea?

Whether you're catching up with friends, getting some work done, or simply savoring a quiet moment, Lafayette’s locally-owned cafes offer the perfect setting. These cozy coffee shops not only serve up delicious brews and treats, but they also provide an inviting atmosphere that makes you feel right at home.

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From trendy, lively spaces filled with conversation to peaceful retreats ideal for solo work or relaxation, the coffee culture in Lafayette is rich with variety. The city's vibrant community spirit shines through in these establishments, where you can experience the best of local flavors alongside a welcoming environment.

Whether you’re a coffee aficionado, a tea lover, or just in search of a cozy spot to unwind, Lafayette’s cafes have something special to offer.

Here’s a look at four of the top cozy cafes in Lafayette that locals and visitors alike rave about. Each one has its own unique vibe, making it a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy a comforting, flavorful break in the heart of Acadiana.

The locally established Rêve Coffee Labs in River Ranch, and the flagship roastery in Downtown Lafayette, offer some fantastic coffee and a nice atmosphere. In fact, it's some of the best coffee you can find in town because of all this, according to reviews.

According to a review on TripAdvisor, Rêve is "such a quaint little coffee shop with amazing coffees, best staff ever, incredible breakfast and pastries to include homemade pop tarts and soufflés, very biker and pet friendly!!! They brew all of their own syrups in house...a must stop if in Lafayette!!!"

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There are three locations in Lafayette - Downtown, River Ranch, and UL's campus.

Another staple of Downtown Lafayette, Black Cafe is one of the most highly-reviewed cafes in the area. They offer a variety of unique foods and, after a recent remodel, a nice place to relax amid the bustle of the downtown area.

On Yelp, one fan of their scotch eggs and beignets wrote "I love this place and the people who serve there: good crowd, good coffee, and good food." On TripAdvisor, another wrote that "The staff is super friendly and seem to really love what they do."

"Seriously, intense coffee for a great price," one review notes - extremely accurately. Jet Coffee has locations in Lafayette and Broussard, and they serve a lot of coffee fans looking for something new and definitely not of the usual corporate coffee chain variety. Those who have gone can't help but praise the coffee and the service.

On Yelp, one enthusiastic fan says "this will be a regular stop when passing thru Lafayette in the future." And another says "Best coffee, best snacks, best atmosphere, and hands down best people."

This establishment in Downtown Lafayette, Carpe Diem Cafe & Wine Bar offers a variety of treats - from coffee and, yes, wine to gelatos and other sweets - that keeps fans coming back.

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"Pastries, gelato, crepes, coffee, wine, cheese... Carpe Diem has them all," one fan wrote on TripAdvisor. "And they excel at them: good-quality ingredients are combined with the utmost care put in all their confections, whether sweet or savory, spongy or fluid."

Like always, this is in no way a complete list. We fully expect readers to add their input. Check out our Facebook Page and let us know which of these cozy cafes is your favorite, and definitely let us know if there's one we missed and need to try!

Lafayette Stores Your Parents Shopped At That Are Gone Now

I have been feeling very nostalgic lately, and when I get that feeling I often will browse the photos in the different collections on the Lafayette Memories Facebook page.

Seven Forgotten Facts About Lafayette

The area now known as downtown Lafayette was first settled 200 years ago. While the street grid of that original settlement is the same as it was then, the rest of the city has grown and changed exponentially. Let's take a look at some of those changes by taking a look at some of the forgotten facts in Lafayette history.

Chef Kelsey Leger's path to learning more about how food, nutrition and wellness are interconnected started at a burger restaurant.

Her first kitchen job was at Burgersmith in Lafayette, running food and eating plenty of burgers and fries. Eventually, Leger started noticing that her physical and mental health was being affected, and she suspected that diet played a role.

"I was getting really depressed," says the chef and co-owner at Five Mile Eatery in Lafayette's Oil Center. "I had a lot of acne and was overweight. And my friends had moved to New York, and I was like, 'I'm going to come meet you.' I just didn't feel like myself and needed a change."

That move led Leger to Pure Food and Wine, a celebrated raw vegan restaurant in Manhattan that was the subject of the Netflix documentary "Bad Vegan." Eventually the restaurant became notorious for a different reason after the owner, Sarma Melngailis, was convicted for fraud. But for Leger, the experience led to an epiphany about how she wanted to work and eat.

She says, "Sometimes, I get confused as to why people open restaurants. For me, food is medicine. It's not that I'm doing it perfectly, but I want to do it really well."

After moving back to Lafayette, Leger worked at a local farm, then at a succession of restaurants that emphasized working with quality ingredients at volume; like the now-closed Saint Street Inn, French Press and Scratch Farm Kitchen.

She opened Five Mile Eatery in 2022 with her fiancée and business partner, Sarah Trotter. They created a menu focused on whole ingredients and hearty food, like the premium angus beef burger on a house-made sweet potato bun, dressed with local produce, with spicy ketchup, basil mayo and whole grain mustard.

"I want to make burgers," says Leger. "But a really delicious, healthy one."

She says that the Co-op Burger is one of their most popular items, along with the focaccia breakfast sandwich and the recently-introduced Bayou Banh Mi sandwich of pork, fermented carrots, cucumbers, gochujang mayo, cilantro and jalapeño on a baguette.

Leger and Trotter recently made the move to go seed oil-free due to the link between seed oils (like canola, sunflower and sesame oil) and inflammation. Five Mile Eatery is also an alcohol-free establishment.

"My relationship with alcohol was really unfulfilling," she says.

At some point, Leger said that she realized she wasn't getting anything positive from it. She would be hungover or feel like she needed alcohol to have fun or to have a conversation. Plus, she wants family members and customers who are in recovery to feel good at the restaurant.

"There's just a lot of things that go into that choice," she said. "Now, if I'm going to drink something, I want it to be healthy. I want it to do something for my gut. I want it to be stimulating for my body, my nervous system. So I usually try to drink our green juice, or ginger juice or water."

For her efforts towards advancing healthy, satisfying lunch and breakfast options in Lafayette (none of the menu items at Five Mile are short on flavor), last month Leger was named a 2024 Chef to Watch by Louisiana Cookin' magazine. This honor recognizes up-and-coming chefs who offer something new for their communities, while remaining grounded in Louisiana's rich culinary tradition. On Oct. 10, Leger will participate in a Chefs to Watch dinner event in Covington where she will create a Five Mile Eatery-approved dish: tofu courtboullion, paired with a mocktail.

Leger and Trotter are excited for the future, and say that they are in the middle of planning an expansion and rebrand for the small restaurant. With change a constant in the industry, one thing they don't plan to change is the eatery's focus on foods that support and fuel the body.

Leger says, "My relationship with food became about my healing, and everything got better after that — my relationships, my relationship with myself, my clarity of mind. I don't feel like you can necessarily do that when you're eating bad food. And a lot of people come here because they're like, 'Yeah, I want to eat healthy today.'"