B and K Music

By Nancy Correro
The Times of SWLA

B and K Music, Kinder, La.

B and K Music was started by Ken Smith and Buford Smith in 1978 in their home. Their business grew out of necessity and a love of music.

Ken Smith is a third generation fiddle player. He started playing at age 10. His father, Buford Smith, is a guitarist.

“I grew-up playing in house jam sessions. There were a lot of jam sessions at my grand parent’s house. Some of my relatives that played fiddle were alive at that time and I picked it up,” Ken Smith said.

Ken Smith, World Champion Fiddler

Smith was introduced to a style of music called “Texas fiddle competition music.”

Once he learned that style of playing Smith and his father went all over Texas and through to Alabama competing in fiddle contests. He won several contests across the United States after that and won the state championship in Louisiana five times—all between the ages of twelve and eighteen.

“It was a gift, something I inherited and I pursued it. I gave up everything else in my life that most kids do—basketball, baseball, football—and practiced about four to five hours a day,” said Smith.

Over the years Smith and his father learned to repair their own instruments. There were no repair people in this area at the time.

In order to have an instrument repaired, one would have to go to Houston or New Orleans. According to Smith, there was nowhere to get supplies.

“We opened up a little company in 1978 out of our home. We were able to get a distributor to furnish and supply us in tools like strings and accessories,” said Smith.

When Smith turned twenty-one, he told his father he would like to open a retail store in Kinder and that is what they did.

Bufford Smith, Guitarist and co-owner.

“We starved to death for about ten years,” Smith said, laughing, “1981 was a real bad recession here and I opened up then, but the store became successful around 1989, 90. We dealt in musical instruments and fiddle or violin repairs,” said Smith.

B and K Music has always sold European violins. There are pictures of some of the lovely European violins on their website: www.bandkmusic.biz.

“We probably keep over 100 European violins in stock. I have connections in Europe and we have them flown in. We do necessary repairs if needed and if not we just set them up for the type of music that is played in this part of the country,” said Smith. “Plus, McNeese has a classical program; Lake Charles and Lafayette have a symphony.”

This is a folk oriented musical instrument and repairs store, and they also keep a large selection of instruments which is not very common in most music stores.

B and K Music also has amps, pa systems, DJ equipment, mixers, and processors. They do installations for churches, nightclubs, and design audio equipment for courtrooms.

“I built my reputation on being a successful contest player and I think that is what made the store unique is we combined fiddle players and violin players. If you wanted to buy a classical violin you had to go to a classical violin shop and that would have been in a major city,” Smith said. “It used to be two completely different worlds: fiddle people and violin people.”

Smith’s success is what made the store unique and it’s a hard form of music to play, but there are young people today that are playing Texas style contest music.

“It’s evolved into a really extremely hard form of music and there are some very reputable judges with state competitions and national competitions and world competitions,” Smith said.
To get a better understanding of this type of music one can think of a hoedown, breakdown, rags, as in ragtime or waltzes and hornpipes, jigs, and reels.

“Those were all the forms of music and over the years they have become more polished and more parts have been added to them and the technique of playing them has gotten more precise,” Smith said.

Ken Smith and his father still actively play. Smith is a freelancing musician with different bands. Ken Smith is full of surprises. He nonchalantly and humbly mentioned he had been nominated for a Grammy Award in 1992.

“I was nominated – I had a recording with Rounder Records in 1992 and it was nominated for a Grammy. All of those things put together combined with good service made the store a success,” Smith said.

The Grammy nomination was a collaborative effort put together by a record company out of Boston, MA. They picked out three personalities from Louisiana. When Rounder Records called, they had Cajun artist D.L. Menard who plays guitar and sings and another artist, Eddie LeJeune who is a Cajun accordion player.

“They picked those two fellows and then they called me and picked me as a fiddle player and they said they would like us to get together and cut a record.

Rounder Records saw something in the three individuals and wanted to combine the three personalities. They called the group Le Trio Cadien, which, by the way, the CD of the same name is available on Amazon.com.

“They flew us to a recording studio in Boston and we stayed there for four days. It was a very relaxed atmosphere. They let us do some of our own producing and let us utilize some of our own ideas in putting this album together. They released it in 1991 and we were nominated in 1992 for the Grammy. That led to about 15 European tours that we did from around 1992 to 1995,” Smith said.

Smith plays gigs every weekend. In fact, they played at Festival Acadian. He plays gigs with some popular Cajun bands.

When asked about music lessons, Smith said that he did that for fifteen years at the store and had some very successful students.

When the store got extremely busy and they were rewarded contracts that they were bidding on like church and club installs, it was taking a lot of my time after work and that was the time he was giving lessons.

“I may do it again when I’m older and get tired of climbing through attics,” Smith said.
Some of Smith’s touring consisted of federally granted programs here in the United States that wanted Cajun music.

“I met a lot of people on my travels and I had offers from advanced students asking me for master lessons. So that is something I can look forward to in the future,” Smith said.

B and K Music is located at 320 N. 10th Street in Kinder. Phone: 337-738-2686.

Chez Caffe: A Cup of Coffee and Conversation

By Chaney Ferguson
The Times of SWLA

Lake Area residents may remember when Chez Caffe owners Ken Daugherty and Greg Thomas sold food and coffee in the local mall.

“In 1989, we bought a little deli in the west side of the mall and ran that for five or six years. It was kind of a hamburger and fries joint,” said Daugherty.


The two friends decided to become partners once they were out-of-work.

“When we were in need of a job this little deli in the mall became available. We thought why don’t we just buy our own business,” said Daugherty.

In 1993, while Daugherty and Thomas spent some time in Dallas they were inspired to start selling coffee.

“We wondered why Lake Charles didn’t have any coffee shops like you see around the big metropolitan areas. So we started putting together a plan for coffees,” said Daugherty.

The partners started a little coffee kiosk in the mall in September of 1993. They operated it through the Christmas season, and after proving its success they expanded into a larger area and called it A Place to Meet.

“We had lighter sandwiches and a healthier menu. It has just kind of developed and hung on all these years,” said Daugherty.

The deli closed in 1996 when the mall was beginning the expansion.

“It was just an opportune time to shut down and not go with the mall from that point,” said Daugherty.

Mall management changed and the mall wanted national companies and national names not the mom and pop type businesses.

“At the mall you are blessed with a captive audience. When we moved out of the mall customers followed us, but also it opened a lot of doors for new customers,” said Daugherty.

The transition was very easy for Daugherty and Thomas. Their sales even increased as a result of the move.



Ken Daugherty, Cyd Daugherty, and Greg Thomas



The mall offered time for the owners to hone their skills. They learned what kinds of coffee people preferred and also perfected their chicken salad.

“We average about forty pounds of chicken salad everyday. That is kind of our forte. If it is not coffee then it is chicken salad,” said Daugherty.

Each morning Daugherty, his wife Cyd, and Thomas arrive between 5:45 and 6:00 a.m. to prepare for breakfast and lunch.

“The first thing we do is stick in a ten pound bag of chicken to start boiling and while we’re doing that we are starting to brew coffee,” said Daugherty.

The Chez Caffe opens at 7 a.m. for breakfast.

“We make our own biscuits every morning. We have biscuit sandwiches, croissants, croissant sandwiches, eggs, and bacon,” said Daugherty.

They haven’t branched out into pancakes and waffles, but Daugherty says they are still thinking about it.

“Most people that come in for breakfast are on their way to work and they come in for something quick. Grab and go,” said Daugherty.

Daugherty sees the usual customers so often that he knows their vehicles. When they pull up their food is already being made.

“Everybody likes to feel like they are important somewhere so when they come in here they know they are important, they are treated special, and they know their food is being prepared for them,” said Daugherty.

The friendly atmosphere allows customers to enjoy companionship and conversation or quiet time.

Daugherty and Thomas have been friends for thirty years. As partners they divide the duties of the business.

Thomas maintains the back kitchen area and Daugherty is usually up in the front greeting customers.

“We each have our function and we still communicate a lot and say here is what is going on here. He usually handles things on his end and I do on mine. I think that has been a large part of our success to make this business last as long as it has,” said Daugherty.

Working in the front allows Daugherty to enjoy conversations and the relationships he builds with the customers.

“What I enjoy the most is the people and the camaraderie I get from the relationships,” said Daugherty.

Business is fun for Daugherty. He describes it as a personality.

“Along with a good product people are paying for the atmosphere or buying the personality as well,” said Daugherty.

It is a challenge everyday and fortunately after 20 years it is good to have many of the challenges whipped. Daugherty says there is never a dull moment, and he can’t let himself get too comfortable and let things falter.

“I have to make sure my service is good and my food is good after all these years. Make sure it is made consistently no matter who makes it, and that is hard some times,” said Daugherty.

“It has been a ride. If I could do it again I would put recorders in here and cameras so I could see all the coffee conversations. We would have a humorous book that’s all I can say.”

For a cup of coffee and conversation stop by Chez Caffe at 127 W. College Street, Monday-Saturday from 7-3, or for more information call 337-474-2200.

Lake Charles Tackle: Where Service Is The Catch

By Chaney Ferguson




In 1994, David Rabalais and Tim Woods started Lake Charles Tackle (LCT). The business venture began with two avid fishermen who had to order their bait.

“Every time we had to fish at a tournament we had to go look at the magazine, and order baits because nobody was carrying the ones we were using at the time,” said Woods.

Neither one remembers which one said the line that sparked the business, but the idea came from a desire to have a tackle shop like one at Toledo Bend.

Rabalais and Woods began their business on Common Street in a building with only 900 square feet.

“We put up a shingle, ordered some things we thought we could sell, and hired a good manager named Bill Brown,” said Woods.

Brown had a background in merchandising and he taught the two new owners how to listen to what the customer wanted before ordering products.

“We always thought we knew what the people wanted because we fished. We learned quickly that it was not always what we wanted but what the customer wanted,” said Rabalais.

Business started out slow until Rabalais and Woods started sponsoring a fishing show, hosted by Terry Shaughnessy.

“The show really helped get our name out there,” said Rabalais.

After two years in the business the men decided to expand. They moved to their current location at 310 W. McNeese Street, where they enjoy approximately 4,000 square feet.

“We are actually looking to expand again,” said Woods.

Since 1994 the business has not only increased in size but also in workers.

“We began with one employee, and now we have between eight and ten depending on the season,” said Woods.

The current general manager, Gregg Vidrine, says that LCT is not like Academy or Wal-Mart.
“We are the individual serving the individual’s needs,” said Vidrine. “There is always someone here to greet the customer at the door, and see if there is anything we can do to help.”

LCT finds unique niche items that help them separate themselves from their competition. Items such as the Yeti ice chest. LCT is made more unique with the Yeti LSU ice chest for the die-hard fans. They offer many services chain stores do not have.

“We provide a service on rod and reel repair, spool reels, sell and service Charlie motors, and we sell electronics like depth finders and GPS’s,” said Rabalais.

Recently the store started carrying marine accessories, whether it is something to fix a trailer or boat, wiring or electrical.

“We don’t do the repairs, but we sell the parts,” said Woods.

They will special order any type of equipment, bait, boating accessory, or fishing accessory.
“Special orders don’t upset us,” said Vidrine.

Rabalais says that LCT will switch gears around late August or early September when they start carrying hunting equipment.

“We deal with mainly waterfowl and deer hunting accessories,” said Rabalais.

Vidrine says that the name of the business should be changed to Lake Charles Tackle and More because the store offers products for the sportsman, not just the fisherman.

Products for those who like to go rafting, kayaking, or fly fishing are offered too.

“We order the newest and most innovative supplies for fishing or hunting,” said Rabalais.

The market for the area has completely changed since the business opened fifteen years ago. Rabalais and Woods started their business with an interest in bass fishing.

“We started with freshwater fishing, but customers came in and started asking for other things so we moved into what is called inshore saltwater,” said Rabalais.

In the last six or seven years LCT has moved into blue water (offshore) fishing.

The shift in merchandise is caused by what the customers are asking for.

“If you can think it, we can get it,” said Vidrine.

Over the past five or six years LCT has won the award for #1 Independent Dealer.

When new products become available LCT has the ability to get them quicker than the chains.

“We can react quicker than the chains,” said Vidrine. “We don’t order for next year in mind. We order for next week in mind.”

The men learn of new products from their contacts with sales representatives and product shows. They also order new items when customers come in talking about them.

“The other day a guy brought in something he ordered, and he suggested we start carrying it. So we will,” said Vidrine.

All three men believe in the importance of customer service.

“Our customers are our best salesmen,” said Vidrine. “They keep coming back because of the service we provide.”

LCT participates in community events such as the annual boat show, and they donate to various charities hosting fishing events.

“We are not just a place for men to shop. We also offer rod and reels for women, and our Costa Del Mar sunglasses are a big seller with women,” said Rabalais.

Whether you want to sign up for a tournament, learn the fishing and hunting regulations, or get a fishing or hunting license, Lake Charles Tackle is the place to go.

For more information call 337-479-2999, visit the website at www.lakecharlestackle.com or stop by 310 W. McNeese St.

Gymnastics Etc., Dedicated to the Children

By Chaney Ferguson
The Times of SWLA




Chuck and Monique McLallen are a young couple with a love for gymnastics and children. The McLallen’s moved to Lake Charles in 2001 when they bought Gymnastics Etc. from Keith and Tammy Miller.
“I think it was about twenty-eight years ago they started the business,” said Monique. “We became friends with the Millers through the gymnastics meets, and when it came time to sell the business they actually contacted us to see if we wanted to buy it.” Since 2001, the McLallens opened an additional gym in Lake Charles. Now with a Sulphur and Lake Charles location they are able to enroll about a 1,000 kids in the gymnastics program.

“We have anywhere from a 2 year old to a 25 year old,” said Chuck.

The younger kids start out in tumbling and gradually work their way up to gymnastics.
“The older kids will sometimes compete internationally,” said Chuck. “They start competing around 5 or 6 years old, and continue until their body won’t let them do it anymore which is around 30 or so.”

The international competitions usually last for a six month period. Starting in November and ending around May. Competitors go all over the world, but many important competitions are held here in the States.

“This next year we are going to a big competition in Vegas, and the world championships will be in Dallas,” said Chuck.

Competitions take place locally for recreational participants and serious competitors.
“Each year we host the Gumbo Cup and the Contraband Classic,” said Chuck.

Last year the Gumbo Cup had around 600 gymnasts participating in the competition held at the Sulphur Recreation and Aquatic Center.
“The Contraband Classic is held in May. It is a local event for our kids and everyone goes home with a ribbon,” said Monique.

Safety is a priority for the McLallens. The gym follows the USA gymnastics level progression program—a junior Olympic program.

“We start out at level two with the girls and that goes all the way up to level ten. After level ten you would consider them an Olympic gymnast or an elite gymnast,” said Monique.
The boys start at level four and go up to a level ten. The gymnasts work their way up through the levels with skill and talent.

“We have two elites, the only two elites in Louisiana right now,” said Chuck.
The gym also has gymnasts competing at the collegiate level.

“Once they graduate from high school they have the option of competing for a college or going the elite route and trying to compete on the international level,” said Monique.
When asked about why the facility produces so many successful gymnasts the McLallens give credit to the parents.

“I think it is just the people. Families here seem dedicated to their children,” said Chuck.
Dedication has led to a new record for Gymnastics Etc. This year they boast 7 All-Around USA Gymnastics State Champions.

The McLallens are proud of the success of their “kids”, but the best part of the gymnastics business is the bond formed with the kids and their families.

One thing Monique was never aware of is how close knit the gymnastics family is.
“We get to know these parents on a very personal level. We spend time with their children,” said Monique.

The upper level gymnasts will spend five days a week at the gym in training. Since Chuck is not only the owner, but also a coach he spends a lot of time with the kids.

“We had one parent tell us Chuck spends more time with their child than they do,” said Monique.
The McLallens understand the dynamics of a busy family. Between the two gyms, Monique working as a pharmacist, and their two lovely daughters, they make their family business family friendly.

“Our sessions are an hour long and we encourage parents to stay and watch what their child is doing,” said Monique.

The Sulphur gym has a sizable waiting room with chairs for parents to sit and watch their children practice. Since the Lake Charles facility was planned by the McLallens, it offers another option for parents.

“We have a workout area for parents, so they can exercise while their child is practicing,” said Chuck.

Chuck and Monique offer an additional service to parents: birthdays with no clean-up. On the weekends the gym hosts birthday parties.

“We offer an hour of gymnastics with our coaches, and then an hour or so for the party,” said Monique. “All parents have to do is bring the cake.”

Birthday parties are a good way for parents and children to see if gymnastics is a good fit for their family.

Whether it is for sport, recreation, or a memorable birthday, Gymnastics Etc. provides families with a fun, safe environment because they care.

For more questions or information, you can visit the Sulphur facility at 3615 Maplewood Dr or call 625-3547. The Lake Charles gym is located at 605 Petro Point Dr or call 494-3547. Their website is www.gym-etc.com.

Jimmy’s Hair We Are: A Lively Barber Shop

By Chaney Ferguson





Many people in the lake area who go to Jimmy's Hair We Are may not know they are getting their hair cut by an award-winning stylist.

Jimmy Fontenot has won thirty-five trophies in different competitions around the country in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Just to name a few.

“Every show would send me literature, and I would work and I would practice for that show,” says Fontenot.

Fontenot began working as a barber when he was 18 in Beaumont, TX. In 1968, he worked at Rodrigue’s on Kirkman Street. The owner saw talent in Fontenot and decided to groom him for competition.

“I didn’t know what he was talking about,” says Fontenot. “Rodrigue was traveling throughout the United States judging so he knew what it took to win.”

According to Fontenot, he and Rodrigue picked out male models and Fontenot would work with them every day.

“We would color their hair black, put them in tuxes, and make them look perfect,” said Fontenot. “You would compete against forty guys in the competitions.”

Participants in the hair competitions would begin cutting hair at the same time. When the time was up five judges would make a decision based on how the haircuts looked, if there was any loose hair around, and the overall perfection of the style.

“I competed for four years before I became a judge,” said Fontenot. “Judging wasn’t as much fun, but it was the next step.”

In 1972, after gaining experience from working at Rodrigue’s, Fontenot decided to open his own barber shop on Prien Lake Road. He was there for twenty years before moving to his current location near McNeese.

“Everybody likes to have their own business, run their own shop,” shares Fontenot. “I’m an aggressive person. I like to be up front and make things happen.”

Fontenot feels like the competitions prepared him for his future in running his own business.
“It helped me get a lot of publicity with customers coming in. There was exposure,” says Fontenot. “TV 7 would come to the shop every time I won and it helped me out with business.”
When Fontenot first got started in the business he attended shows, read magazines, and did his homework on the new hairstyles.

“As you get older it comes natural; you work on older people and you don’t need to go to shows,” says Fontenot. “The people that come in now have their standard way of getting a haircut.”
Years ago, women represented 60% of Fontenot’s client base. He had to keep up with all the latest styles, but now with the older men he says it is much easier.

“You don’t need much talent to cut them old men’s hair, just a lot of patience,” teases Fontenot.
Ten years ago Fontenot stopped going to the hair shows. He says he doesn’t miss having to keep up with the latest styles.From

(L to R: Delton Bertrand, Jimmy Fontenot, Fred Benoit, and the woman is Jeanette Webster)

“I’ve been cutting hair for forty-six years. Once you get to this point it is time to slow it down,” says Fontenot.

Fontenot is a huge McNeese fan. He used to be president of the Cowboy Club, and still maintains a relationship with the Club, helping them raise money. Plaques cover the shop’s walls as evidence of his love and support.

“I attend all the men and women’s basketball games, as well as the football games,” said Fontenot.

He moved to his current location hoping to gain business from the university.
“When we moved we had a lot of people start coming over from McNeese. That’s why we got that pretty lady back there because the young guys come in and get their hair cut by her,” said Fontenot.

Jimmy’s Hair We Are currently employs four workers with 157 years of combined haircutting experience. Three men, including Fontenot, and one woman provide Jimmy’s with a friendly atmosphere where men can gather and shoot the bull.

“Each one had their own shop and they got tired of running it themselves,” says Fontenot. “The men are all getting to the age when they want to slow down and retire so they sell and work with someone else.”

Fontenot and his colleagues create a warm inviting environment for their customers. The morning begins with Fontenot arriving at eight a.m. He does the bookwork and makes coffee.
“Customers come in early and drink coffee with us and talk,” said Fontenot. “Don’t come in feeling sorry for yourself because we will pick with you.”

Jimmy’s has a jovial mood because of the characters who work there. They like to talk about what’s going on the world and make jokes.

“We’ve been fortunate. Since I’ve been in Lake Charles the business has been very steady. We haven’t been affected by competition especially since we’ve been older. We have more business than we know what to do with,” said Fontenot. “Customers just walk-in, nobody calls and we like it that way.”

If you are looking for a good haircut, jokes, and interesting conversation check out Jimmy’s Hair We Are at 112 W. McNeese St. For more information call Jimmy’s at (337) 477-7932.

Cotten’s Famous Hamburgers: Fresh Ingredients Everyday

By Chaney Ferguson
The Times of SWLA




Kenny Cotten always wanted to own his own business—even when he managed the Paramount Theater in downtown Lake Charles. When the theater closed, Cotten moved on to work at the Colonial Inn, unaware of the hamburger legacy that awaited him.

In the late seventies, the Colonial Inn was very well known for its hamburgers and onion rings.

“A lot of people are too young to remember it,” said Cotten. “It was on Broad St.”

Cotten worked there for two years before he struck out on his own to start Cotten’s Hamburgers. According to Cotten, his business maintains the Colonial Inn tradition with its specific, limited menu and quality product.

Cotten’s Hamburgers was originally on Ryan Street across from McNeese University where the Smoothie King is located now. Many people remember the commercial starring Cotten’s daughter—“If Poppa is king of the grill I think that makes me the princess.”

After eighteen months, Cotten relocated to 2001 Oak Park Blvd because he believed Oak Park was a good area to open a restaurant. The theater and the medical complex provided a steady influx of customers.

“Originally I was trying to get the landlord of the nearby shopping center to try and add on and rent me a spot,” said Cotten. “They weren’t interested, and this place was a going restaurant so when they closed, I bought it.”

According to Cotten the location proved to bring as many customers as he’d anticipated. People still come over from the hospital, and the hospital offices benefit from the convenience of Cotten’s take-out and drive-thru.

“We also see a lot of blue collar workers if they happen to be working around the area,” said Cotten.

While Kenny Cotton still enjoys owning his own business, there are ups and downs. “You are your own boss and that is a good thing, but there are a lot of things people don’t realize,” said Cotten. For one, ‘the hours are difficult.’

Cotton’s Hamburgers was originally open seven days a week, twelve hours a day. Even though they have cut back over the years, Cotten says that he still works too many hours.

“We close at 3:30 in the afternoon, but I was here until ten o’clock last night trying to fix a couple of things that had broken,” said Cotten. “When you own a business you’re always trying to get caught up and ready for the next day.”

Cotten emphasizes that the restaurant business is a tough business. A typical day for Kenny Cotten begins at 7:45 in the morning when he arrives to prepare for customers.

“I have to slice one hundred pounds of onions and one to two cases of tomatoes,” he said.
Cotten’s also cuts and grinds their own meat, and peels their own shrimp.

“Just about everything we do here is fresh,” said Cotten. “We don’t just open a bag and cook it. It all takes time to prepare so I do that six days a week.”

“We cry every day for our customers,” said Cotten, leaning over the machine to slice onions. “You never get used to it, you just endure the burn.”

For anyone who wants to own his own business, Cotten recommends being prepared to work and being dedicated because the buck stops with you.

“When that person calls in sick and you’ve already worked ten or twelve hours and you have another shift to go, are you going to just say you can’t go in and let the service or the food suffer because of it?” asks Cotten. “Or are you going to go fill the position? It is going to happen and happen often.”

Cotten points out, “A lot of people either love it or hate it. Or once they do it, they never want to do it again.”

Of course, Kenny Cotten is quick to add, “If I had it to do all over again I would still want to have my own business, but whether I would have chosen this one or not is debatable.”

The effects of Hurricane Rita linger on in area businesses. Cotten shares that it has been difficult to keep good help since the storm struck in 2005.

“I don’t know why that is,” said Cotten. “Almost everybody in business says the same thing. Every restaurant says they need help—but it’s not just restaurants.”

Cotten doubts many people left the lake area permanently, and with the new people who moved in from New Orleans it remains a mystery that continues to plague local businesses.

“Sure people could go and get better jobs somewhere else,” he says. He continues to try to make sense of the problem because every restaurant has the same problem. “There’s more work than workers.”

When Cotten’s Hamburgers remained open at night they employed fifteen to twenty workers. Presently they have nine or ten including members of his family.

“My wife works here, and my son works on Saturdays because he’s in school,” said Cotten. “My oldest daughter worked here a long time until she graduated from McNeese.”

According to Cotten, as the economy slows, things will change, but as it slows, the less help businesses will need.

Over the years the menu has changed very little. The current offerings take up all Cotten’s time.
“I think we could probably increase business with more menu items but until the employee situation changes I have more than I can keep up with now. And we stay busy.”

According to Cotten, his customers keep asking him when he’s going to build in South Lake Charles. Even though he owns property in that area, everything depends on the help.

“I can’t open another location until I know I have the people to work it,” said Cotten. “The help is the key.”

When the mood for a hamburger and onion rings causes a rumble in the stomach, pop over to Cotten’s Famous Hamburgers. Walk through the door, wave at old friends, place your order with a smiling, joking employee, and listen to the beautiful voice of Florence as she clears the tables.

Lunch time doesn’t get much better than this.

For additional information, call Cotten’s Famous Hamburgers at (337) 477-9759, or stop by 2001 Oak Park Blvd. Restaurant hours are 10:30-3:30 Monday through Friday and 10:00 to 3:00 on Saturday.

Trahan’s Hardware: Come Here First

By Chaney Ferguson
The Times of SWLA




Trahan’s Hardware has been a family owned business since Carolyn Trahan’s parents opened it in 1966. Since then the whole family has been involved. In 1994 Mr. Trahan passed away leaving his wife, Ethel to operate the store. It was at that time the family stepped in and played a more active role.

“It was just me and him until 1994, and when he passed away I couldn’t do it by myself.” said Ethel Arabie, Carolyn Trahan’s mother. “Right now all the employees are family.”

Hammers and Other History

Trahan’s has had a history of friends and family members working together to maintain the business. Carolyn Trahan worked in the store when she was growing up.
“We were raised in this store,” said Trahan, speaking of herself and her siblings. “We worked here summers and after school, but I didn’t enjoy it because I was a kid.”

Trahan’s father had a love for hardware. He grew up going to his uncle’s hardware store and fell in love with the business. He even took his future wife there when she came in for a visit.
“Every time I came to town with my boyfriend we had to go to the hardware store and I remember thinking why can’t we just go to Sears,” said Arabie, laughing at the memory.

Arabie went on to explain how her future husband looked at all the hammers in the hardware store. She wanted to shop at Sears so he could look at the hardware and she could spend her time looking at something else.

“I thought a hammer is a hammer and he would say a hammer is not a hammer,” said Arabie. “So years later I’m in the hardware business and I’m selling those hammers and not every hammer is alike. This has been a learning experience for me.”
The Trahan’s have had many experiences, including a fire in 1977 that destroyed the original building leaving nothing for them to save.

“Customers came and helped after the fire,” said Trahan. “A couple of days later, once my dad got his bearings back customers came out and helped and within days we had a temporary building built.”

“When you lose everything you have to start all over again,” said Arabie. “We had established credit with some of these wholesalers, and they extended us the courtesy to charge. We went to one company and they said take whatever you want. You have one year to pay us.”

Within a month the family was able to begin selling again, and they remained in the temporary building for over a year before finishing their current building.
Hurricane Experiences

Hurricane season is approaching and Trahan’s Hardware is already stocking extra candles, lanterns, batteries, tarps, and other essential hurricane items. Hurricanes Rita and Ike have provided Trahan’s with a lot of experience to know exactly what their customers need after disaster strikes.

“Rita was unbelievable,” said Trahan. “I snuck back into town the morning after to make sure we still had houses and a building. While we were here someone spotted our vehicle.”
According to Trahan, once someone noticed her vehicle she was back in business. Everyone was looking for supplies to begin clean-up.

“She had to have the children man the door,” said Arabie.

All the electricity was out. Trahan had to personally walk each customer around the store while they gathered what they needed.

“With a flashlight I can take you anywhere in the store and get you whatever you need,” said Trahan. “Anybody that works here can, but we couldn’t allow customers to come in here without lights. We had kids at the door and if we had five people in here working, there could only be five people in the store.”

Trahan and other workers operated the store for two weeks with no electricity. Each customer was guided around the store with a flashlight until they had all they needed to begin their repairs.

Competition

Trahan’s Hardware has been around for a number of years, and despite the competition from larger chain stores they haven’t suffered thanks to their personal customer service.

“When you go to the big stores you have to find someone to help you,” said Trahan. “If you walk in the door here everyone speaks to you, and asks if you need help.”

According to Arabie the larger stores will sometimes send customers to Trahan’s or call and see if they have something a particular customer needs.

“We sell the parts to all the stuff they sell,” said Cary Thomas, one of the workers at Trahan’s.
Trahan adds that they also do special orders for customers who need a specific part. Trahan’s offers many services besides special orders.

“We will try to fix whatever you bring in,” said Trahan.

Trahan’s Hardware is full of supplies with plans of adding additional merchandise.

“We have people come in here saying, you’re my last hope because I’ve looked everywhere else,” said Thomas. “I always tell people, instead of going everywhere start here.”
Before driving all over town check out Trahan’s Hardware for all of your hurricane supplies and hardware needs.

For additional information call Trahan’s Hardware at (337) 477-5627, or stop by 5507 Common Street. Store hours are Monday-Friday 7:30-5:30, and Saturday 8:00-2:00.

CUTLINE: From L to R are Carolyn Trahan, Cary Thomas, Patsy Nelson.