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.

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.

Book Exchange: Selling Books with a Personal Touch

by Chaney Ferguson
The Times of SWLA



The personality of any business is a direct result of the owner. The Book Exchange is definitely a place overflowing with LSU spirit, sociable customers, and many literary treasures. The owner, John Byles, is a friendly, talkative man who loves his mysteries, and will gladly introduce customers to thrilling reads.

The History
The Book Exchange has been in business for 37 years. It’s a family business that was started by Elizabeth Byles in 1972 with 5,000 books. In 1989 Elizabeth was diagnosed with breast cancer, and John was in Arizona.

“I left Arizona and came home because we didn’t know what was going on,” said Byles. “I went and worked the pipeline for a little bit, and got tired of that so I bought the store from Momma because the doctor said she needed to quit stressing.”
Before moving into the present location on Kirkman Street, the Book Exchange was located on the corner of Sycamore for 24 years. When the building began to fall apart Byles packed up all the books and moved.

“When we moved into this building I filled it up halfway with books,” said Byles. “We counted 65,000 books. Now it’s stacked and packed, and I’m guessing 120,000 books.”

Customers and Their Books
Everyday customers bring in previously read books. Byles goes through the books and decides, based on the author’s popularity, how many should be kept.

“I keep 3-5 of the popular authors and 1-2 copies of the less popular,” said Byles.
According to Byles, his regulars know exactly what they are looking for. Many customers come looking for specific titles or authors. They bring lists to aid them in their search.

“They keep lists of what they’ve read, what they’re looking for, and different authors,” said Byles. “Very few browsers come in. Most customers are on a mission.”

Byles keeps everything in alphabetical order except the difficult non-fiction section that can’t seem to stay organized. He shelves all the books himself so customers can feel free to ask for assistance.

“If they don’t know where it’s at, I tell them fifth section on the right,” said Byles. “Now that I’m here all the time I know where everything is.”

According to Byles, a woman came in the other day and asked for recipe books. Based on his many years of experience he asked a follow-up question that only an avid reader would know to ask.

“Are you asking about the mystery books or cookbooks?” asked Byles.
Byles knew exactly what the customer wanted. There is a mystery series that has a recipe at the end of each chapter—another satisfied customer.

Sometimes Byles will recommend certain authors and books to his customers. After a while he learns the customer’s names and what kinds of books each one enjoys.

“I have customers come in and say they’ve read everything,” said Byles. “I think okay, they like military books. Have they read any Stephen Hunter books in the Earl Swagger series?”

More Than a Reader
When Byles isn’t lost in a mystery series he enjoys spending time on the golf course.
“My regular customers have known me for so long. They know if it’s a beautiful day I might be on the golf course,” said Byles.

Before he worked in the store full-time he used to only come in on Tuesdays because that was the day the golf course was closed.

“Now, I close at 12:30 on Wednesdays and Saturdays so I can be on the golf course,” said Byles.
Growing up in Lake Charles, Byles had many teachers that said he was least likely to have anything to do with a book. After graduating high school in 1979 he spent time at LSU and also lived in Aspen, Denver, and Tucson.

“I was a ski bum for a couple of years,” said Byles.

Perhaps his sense of adventure is what draws him to mystery series by James Lee Burke, John Sandford, and Lee Child. He is currently reading the Lee Child series with protagonist Jack Reacher.

“Jack’s cool. He’s a loner, and only travels with a toothbrush,” said Byles. “He’s not tied down.”

Trade and Credit
Byles keeps a card index with customer’s names on the cards and also the information for how much credit they have. He estimates knowing about 80-85% of his customer index by first name.

“When people bring in their books they get half the publisher’s price in credit,” said Byles. “It’s monetarily two for one. I add up the publisher’s price, divide it in half, and that’s your credit. Then you buy books on your credit and the full price comes off your credit, and then I charge one dollar per book on the trades.”

Occasional browsers who don’t want to part with their books for trade credit pay half of the publisher’s price. Many customers will go to Wal-Mart and buy what they want and then bring them in for credit.

“My customers are my suppliers,” said Byles.

According to Byles the spike in gas prices last year helped his sales. The economic crisis has also not stopped people from their love of reading.

“I feel like I’m probably doing better because people are being tight with their money,” said Byles.

Summer Must Haves for All Ages
During the summer many young customers will come in with their required reading list from school. Each year, Byles notices a change in what the students come in and ask for.

“They don’t read Death Be Not Proud anymore, but they still read Lord of the Flies,” said Byles.
A .50 cents table is set up in the store with Harlequin romance novels. Byles calls them poolside reading because readers don’t have to think. They can just enjoy.

“When summer is coming all the mommas come in and they have their kids with them in bathing suits. They come in and grab them a few books before heading to the pool,” said Byles.

Taking into account the potential limitations of some of his customers, Byles does his best to make things as easy as possible for customers to find what they are looking for. He collected many popular series books and bundled them together with a rubber band.

“Sometimes the older customers can’t stand for a long time or bend down and look around,” said Byles, “so I keep these bundles here so they can just grab a series they are interested in and not have to worry about hunting down each one.”

The summer is almost here, and the books are waiting. Pop in with a summer book list, or grab a poolside read, or an engrossing series. For suggestions, don’t hesitate to ask John.

For more information call (337) 433-5803, or visit Book Exchange, at 2405 Kirkman St. in Lake Charles. The store hours are Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri.-9:30-5:00 and Wed, Sat. - 9:30-12:30.