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.

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.

Marceaux’s Clothing Company

By Chaney Ferguson
The Times of SWLA


Marceaux’s Clothing Company provides a warm atmosphere,
friendly service, and affordable clothing. The comfortable
layout of the store invites customers to browse through all
the unique and stylish clothes and accessories. A box of toys
in the shoe corner offers children a chance to play while
their parents shop.

The Beginning

The clothing business has always been a part of John
Marceaux’s life. He worked for his father for two years before
going into business for himself.

“My father was in the clothing business his whole life,” said
Marceaux. “I think it was a natural step following in his
footsteps.”

In the late seventies Marceaux opened a children’s clothing
store called Briar Patch. Later he, his father, and his
brother started Marceaux Clothing.

“When they decided to get out my wife, Janet, and I bought
it,” said Marceaux. “Shortly after that I sold Briar Patch and
concentrated on the Marceaux clothing store.”

Marceaux also owns Uniform Outfitters in Crowley where they
sell school uniforms to Acadia Parish. Marceaux’s also sells
uniforms along with women’s clothing, men’s suits, jewelry,
purses, and shoes.

Over the past twenty or so years Marceaux has added many
different lines to the store. Most recently, the store has
taken on more shoe lines such as Volatile and YellowBox.
“During the last two years Crocs have been popular. We sold a
ton of Crocs,” Marceaux said, laughing at the memory.
A Change in Retail

When you drive through small towns now there are barely any
clothing stores left. Everything has changed in the past ten
to fifteen years due to vertical retail. Vertical retail
stores are those that design, produce, and sell their own
product.

“When you used to drive through Jennings you could probably
find ten clothing stores. Now you’re down to about four,” said
Marceaux. “It’s changed tremendously.”

With vertical retail popping up Marceaux’s had to take a
different tact. They moved their customer age base up,
shifting their primary customers from young high school
females to missy customers.

“Women still care about fashion,” said Marceaux, “Women from
thirty and older are a greatly underserved market in small
towns. They get overlooked. So that’s the market we are trying
to set-up.”

Choosing the Right Styles

Marceaux’s carries a variety of men and women’s clothing,
accessories, shoes, and LSU products. John and Janet Marceaux
are always paying attention to changes in fashion so they know
what to look for when they go four times a year to market in
Dallas.

“My wife does a lot of catalogue browsing to see what everyone
is wearing and see what is new,” Marceaux said. “We always
notice what people are wearing. There have been times when my
wife and I have asked someone who made what they are wearing.
We can see if that’s something that would work for us.”

According to Marceaux, the market is like a mall with a lot of
mini-stores. There are certain lines they visit consistently
because they have done well for them in the past. A Canadian
line called Tribal is one they always go back to. Marceaux
describes the line as good quality, consistent fit, and
attractively priced.

“You walk the market and see what everyone is offering and
make plans for where you want to go,” Marceaux said.

Face to the Community

Marceaux’s windows face the busy North Lake Arthur Avenue.
Window displays are a major way to invite customers to come in
and browse. The displays are changed about every other week.
“I think it is very important. It’s your face to your
customers driving by,” Marceaux said.

According to Marceaux, once they displayed a dress with a wide
belt in their window. A lady walked in to the store and said
she wanted the dress and the belt.

“So, yeah, it sells merchandise,” he said.

The windows are not the only thing John Marceaux freshens up
and rearranges. Occasionally he and his wife will shift things
around in the store to change the layout.
“Janet came in two weeks ago and reconfigured the layout of
the floor. She’ll do that on occasion so everything doesn’t
get too stale,” Marceaux said.

Customer Service

“There was a lady in here who needed some pants for her son,”
said Marceaux, “The pants have a difficult inseam and we’re
going to see if we can get them for her.”
Marceaux’s business philosophy is all about the customers. He
and his staff have good people skills and always attend to the
customer’s needs above anything else. He is not the type of
owner who stays at home; he’s not one who remains in the back
office working at a desk. John Marceaux is out on the floor,
working the register, and even replacing light bulbs, while he
visits with the browsers. If a customer has a need Marceaux
and the staff will do their best to meet that need.

“I think if you listen and treat your customers as best you
can, you are going to be successful,” Marceaux said.

For more information call 337-824-7579, or visit
Marceaux’s Clothing Company, at 918 North Lake Arthur Avenue
in Jennings. The store hours are Mon.-Fri. from 9-5 and Sat.
9-4:45.

Cajun Charlie’s Seafood Restaurant and Gift Shop

by Chaney Ferguson
The Times of SWLA



Clint and Linda Charlie, owners of Cajun Charlie’s have a rich
background in catering and restaurant management. Their
experience began in the 60s in New Orleans. Linda was involved
in catering and Clint worked at R&O’s restaurant when it was
still in the French Quarter. Since their beginning they’ve
managed a place in Eunice, owned a Po-boy shop, started a
catering hall for weddings, and owned a restaurant in Little
Rock, Arkansas.

“Every place we ever took on was closed or bankrupt and we
made a success out of them,” said Clint Charlie, looking back
on all their experiences. In 1988, they came home. “We took
this place over after it had been closed. We leased it for a
year and then bought it.”

Recipes from Momma
Cajun Charlie’s offers everything from Po-boys and salads, to
seafood gumbo, and steaks, for those family members who aren’t
seafood fans.

“Most people come in for the seafood gumbo. When we’re really
busy we may fix 150 gallons a week. Texas people love gumbo,”
said Clint Charlie. Since the restaurant is conveniently
located off I-10 the Charlies’ feed many hungry Texans and
other famished travelers.

Anyone who has ever eaten good Cajun food knows it’s hard to
turn down. So instead of eliminating food you love from your
diet Cajun Charlie’s now offers a tastier solution with their
heart healthy meals. A few years ago customers began to ask
for certain dishes to be grilled instead of fried, and those
requests have led to a yummy compromise.

This accommodation proves how much the Charlies’ value their
customer’s needs and health concerns. “We tailor our menu to
what customers want.”

Clint Charlie isn’t the only one who mans the kitchen when
things get busy. His son learned how to cook certain dishes
from his father and is now the manager. When Linda Charlie
isn’t in the office with the book work she can be found in the
kitchen whipping up family recipes like her momma’s homemade
cornbread dressing, broccoli and rice, and carrot soufflé.

Once your belly is full and you’re thinking about the next
meal, be sure to ask about the 5lb. box of their famous boudin
to take home with you. You can enjoy it all week.

Additions and Souvenirs
Boudin isn’t the only thing you can take home with you. Ten
years after opening the restaurant, Linda Charlie added a gift
shop.

Many local souvenirs from LSU coffee mugs and Louisiana themed
trinkets to cute stuffed animals testify to the Charlie’s
Louisiana pride. They carry a vast array of t-shirts,
postcards, and even Cajun Charlie’s brand seasonings, as well
as popular Cajun cookbooks. This is a great place to look for
those Cajun souvenirs you want to send to your out-of-state
friends and family members.

If you want a place to relax try the sport’s lounge they added
six months ago. It used to be the banquet room, but now many
can find solace and friendly conversation while enjoying a
game of pool, good food, and drinks.

It’s more than just a bar. The lounge offers a cozy atmosphere
for those who want to just listen to the jukebox or rest in
the overstuffed couch and chairs in front of the TV. Since the
restaurant is right next door to the Hampton Inn, the lounge
is a prime spot for hotel guests. “People come in to the
lounge and mull over the economy and just sit and talk,” said
Mr. Charlie.

Host an Event
Cajun Charlie’s is a convenient place to have business
meetings, family reunions, parties, and other fun activities.

Since the family has catering experience they know exactly
what your event needs. Your guests can take advantage of the
plentiful buffet, order from the menu or have a special
planned menu just for your event. The Mardi Gras room can seat
up to 50 people, so start planning.

Location and contact information
Cajun Charlie’s Seafood Restaurant and Gift Shop
202 Henning Drive
Sulphur, LA 70663
(337) 527-9044
Open Mon.-Sat. 10a.m.-10p.m.
Open Sun. 10a.m.-9p.m.
Sport’s Lounge
Open Tues.-Sat. 5p.m.-12a.m.

A Star Is Born

Boredom pays off. David Eakin, co-owner of SignStar,
attributes being a bored kid growing up in Cameron Parish as
the stimulus for his creativity. He says when he was young he
delayed outside all the time—built and created things. Good
experience for a young Co-Owner/President of a digital sign
business.

Because the digital and sign industry is rapidly growing and
continues to flourish, Eakin and his partner Jobe Johnson,
after much research, felt the time was right to expand their
design firm into something more—and SignStar was born.
SignStar is a digital printing sign company located at 3118

Ryan Street in Lake Charles. The talented staff can do all
types of signs: construction, banners, tradeshow and exhibit
graphics, posters, and much more. If customers can’t quite
grasp what they want or need to best advertise their business,
the creative SignStar crew will be happy to brainstorm with
them until the idea is fully hatched. Business owners,
marketing agencies and individuals utilize all methods of
advertising to communicate their business, various events,
political agendas, and SignStar offers a myriad of products
and services.

“Traditional media such as TV ads can get quite
expensive for small businesses; this is a less expensive
medium. People always need signs,” Eakin points out. Within
three months he was proved right. SignStar actually tripled
their expectations.

While it’s true, all businesses need signs and advertising,
much of the credit goes to the good-natured team who pull the
projects together: Burn Rourk is a multi-talented graphic
designer, Jason Gillen is the Production Manager, and Adam
Burleigh is Production Coordinator. These men work together
like a well-oiled machine. Eakin’s business philosophies plays
a huge part in the creative process too. “Get up early, work
hard, and hopefully go home before six.” Eakin laughs and
elaborates: “You get out of it what you put into it. I believe
in serving our customer, offering them good quality products
at a reasonable price. My philosophy is work hard, be
respectful to our clients and people in the industry, be
humble, and do a good job.”

David Eaken’s clean-cut appearance reflects the nice-guy
image, and ensures trust from whomever he talks to. He looks
like a good, generous family man who takes pride in his work.

He admits to watching and learning from local people in the
industry and forming relationships with them. One man in the
industry that Eakin looked up to while in school was Peter O’

Carroll of the O’Carroll Group. Today O’Carroll is president
of the American Advertising Federation—Lake Charles chapter.
Eaken and Johnson have long range plans for SignStar. “We hope
to franchise some day. Maybe open another SignStar in another
location altogether. We’ll see how it goes. That’s something
we haven’t really discussed.” They may not have discussed it,

but the idea is dancing around in the back of Eaken’s mind.
A graduate of McNeese University with a degree in graphic
design, Eakin claims his favorite thing to do within the
business is Sales and Design. On second thought, he says, “I
enjoy all aspects of it.” He gets around as if he’s on speed
dial—this is a man with a lot of positive energy—and when
asked what a typical day is like, he responds, “Cranking out
projects as quickly as possible.”

An interesting project they do for customers is vehicle wrap.
They design the wrap to fit a particular car using a template
and they have software to cut it into panels. “We design,
print, and install it on the vehicle. . . sort of like
wallpaper. We have to get real creative with it.” Eakin says
it can be removed with heat guns and it doesn’t damage the
paint on the car. “It’s a niche market that will get more
popular in the future,” he says.

When asked the personality of the perfect customer, Eaken
doesn’t hesitate to provide an answer. ”Someone who
understands that what we do takes time, effort, and
creativity. The perfect customer will give us the time we need
to do our job and do it well.” He pauses to think before he
continues. “You know, there’s not a button you push for
creativity.”

Eakin is raising his children to be creative too. He tries his
best to get thirteen year old Megan and two and a half year
old Lilah away from the television and participating in
projects that will challenge their young minds. Eakins’ wife,
Sherrie, is a registered nurse who works in Labor and Delivery
at Memorial Hospital. “I used to have a lot of hobbies before
marriage and business,” he says. “Now my kids, my family are
my full-time hobby.”

After one visit with David Eakin and the SignStar team,
customers come away totally assured that they know their
business well, and will do the best possible job for each
customer.  Push a button for creativity? If ever there was
one, it’s called SignStar.

Area Anglers are Hooked on Sunrise Catfish Farm

By Lisa Yates
Editor, The Times

 




The catfish is out of the bag! Sunrise Catfish Farm has been a favorite of local fisherman for years. Local anglers just stand at the shore and hook into line-busters at this favorite fishing sight.

The business evolved – from all things – a dairy farm!

Brian Schmidt, who owns the business with his father and brother, explained the transformation.

“In 1995, we established the first pond,” he said. “By 1996, we had two eight-acre ponds and raised fish commercially.”

At the same time, the family operated a dairy business – a business established in 1982, he said.

Schmidt, 45, said the family allowed people to bring their fishing poles and catch fish while waiting for their cows to be milked. Word spread and a new business was born.

“In 2002, we sold our dairy cows and began the public fishing business full-time,” he said, adding the family is no longer in the commercial fishing business.

How it works

For free-of-charge, the public has a chance to fish verdant ponds with names such as the Horse-Shoe Pond, the Well Pond, the Behind-the-House Pond and the L-Shaped Pond. The L-Shaped Pond, located behind the barn, is also called the Fish Market Pond.

“We only sell what people catch,” Schmidt said. “They can take the fish live, or we'll clean it – cut off the head, gut it and skin it – or, we can fillet it.”

The fish are sold by the pound. Clean it yourself and pay $1.50 per pound. Cleaned fish cost $2 per pound. Filleted fish cost $2.25 per pound.

“We only have one rule – No catch and release,” Schmidt said.

No fishing license is needed. The fish were bought and fed by the business owners, so the state doesn't require it. As a business owner, Schmidt pays taxes.

“A lot of people think this is a church-owned business, but it's not,” he said. “It's a family-owned and operated business. A Mennonite family owns the business.”

Sunrise Catfish Farm, located at 155 Milton Schmidt Road in DeRidder, can be a challenge to find. It's eight miles south of downtown DeRidder, located off of U.S. Highway 171. There's a blue highway sign at the intersection of 171 and Mennonite Road. Once on Mennonite Road, just follow the signs.

No experience necessary

Even the most casual angler – or the outright beginner – stands a chance of coming home with an ice chest full of catfish.

“We try to make sure everybody gets to take home as many fish as they want,” Schmidt said.

He said someone is always available to give novices extra help. Beginning fishermen may want to come on a weekday.

“We can give extra special care during the week,” Schmidt said. “On Saturday, we're too swamped. We'll have two people cleaning fish, one person filleting, one person filling ice chests, one person running the cash register and two people here (at the store).”

On Saturdays, the store sells brisket sandwiches and hamburgers, in addition to its regular menu items – cold drinks, candy, chips and seven flavors of homemade ice cream.

Visitors can bring their own fishing poles, or rent them at the store for $3 per day. Hooks, weights, floats, bait, ice and ice chests are also available at the store. Nets on loan (for free) are also available – first come, first serve.

Schmidt recommends using 20- to 25-lbs. test line on poles brought from home, as that is what he keeps on the rental poles.

“We also don't recommend laying your fishing pole down,” he said. “We've had to fish out a lot of fishing poles from the bottom of the ponds.”

Schmidt doesn't recommend loading a stringer.

“It gets tangled,” he said. “When the water is hot, the fish die and turn to mush.”

Instead, Schmidt recommended placing live fish on ice inside the ice chest. He said this works better than placing pond water in the ice chest. More oxygen is available longer from the ice than from the warm pond water, he said.

One ice chest is all that is needed. If guests choose to have their fish cleaned, their ice chests will also be cleaned during the process.

Clean restrooms facilities are available on the property. Also, there's a large dining room, which is available for birthday parties and family reunions.

“If you fish, there's no charge – it comes with the fishing,” Schmidt said. Otherwise, there is a $50 charge.

Year-round fishing

Sunrise Catfish Farm is open from sunrise to sunset, Monday through Saturday, year-round.

“Our motto is: I catch my fish at sunrise,” Schmidt said.

He said there are 60,000 lbs. of catfish to catch; and, the ponds are stocked year-round.

Schmidt said the fish are well-fed and large, ranging from about 1.5-lbs. to about 15-lbs. in size.

During the summer months, fish are fed floating catfish food. In warm weather, fish  move quickly to the surface to feed. They are fed sinking food in the winter, since they move slower in colder weather.

“The floating food would drift to shore in the winter before the fish could get to it,” Schmidt said.

Recently, a 16.8-lbs fish was caught, with an 18.75-lbs. one being the largest.

“People from about an 80-mile radius come to fish here,” Schmidt said. “We get people coming from nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and school children on field trips.”

What's the reason for the success of Sunrise Catfish Farm?

“One thing, we have the only business in the area like this,” Schmidt said.

He added, other fishing businesses are in the area, but have fewer amenities.

“Another thing is, people can actually catch fish here,” he said.

Schmidt said on the previous Saturday – a rainy day – they cleaned 13,000-lbs. of fish.

“Our busiest was on Good Friday weekend,” he said. “We cleaned 45,000 lbs of fish. Last Good Friday, we cleaned 109,000 lbs.”

For more information, call (337) 462-6990, or visit Sunrise Catfish Farm at 155 Milton Schmidt Road in DeRidder. Hours are from sunrise to sunset, Mon. - Sat.

Alterations & More: Stitching Together a Successful Business

By Lisa Yates
Editor, The Times of SWLA




Helen Santos is stitching together a successful business – both literally and metaphorically.

Santos, 59, is the founder of Alterations & More, a home-based sewing business, located at 1438 W. McNeese Street in Lake Charles. The business offers a variety of alteration services – everything from simple pant hems to custom tailoring and dress making.

Her handiwork can be seen throughout Southwest Louisiana on pageant runways,  during Carnival season on Mardi Gras royalty, and on brides dressed in full regalia.

She started her professional career not as a dressmaker, but as a college instructor in the Republic of the Philippines – her native country.

“I started working in a school teaching a myriad of subjects from English to management,” Santos said. “I even taught graduate school.”

Her education includes a Ph.D. in business administration. In addition, she completed coursework and began working on a doctoral thesis towards an Ed.D. in education administration.

Taking care of business

Her practical business experience included working 23 years as a civilian employee for  a U.S. Military base at the Philippines.

“The U.S. facility was was the biggest employer, second to the Philippine government,” she said. “It was also the best employer.”

She worked on the base until 1990, the year the U.S. military began closing all of the military bases in her country.

When the bases closed, Santos worked as human resource director at a college close to the bases.

“The pay was not good,” she said, adding she wanted to come to the United States for the opportunity to create a better life for herself.

Santos found she was eligible for special immigration status as a U.S. Military employee.

“As long as they have more than 15 years of continued service, civilian employees were eligible for special immigration,” she said.

Coming to Lake Charles

Santos said it took five years to process the necessary paperwork. There was a final caveat.

“The U.S. Department of Justice required that I move to a state where someone could vouch for me during a period of unemployment,” she said. “My sister, Violy Briscoe, was living here in Lake Charles. She had been living here for 25 years when I came here.”

Even though Santos was very well-educated and had many years of work experience, she had difficulty finding employment.

“I couldn't find a job,” she said. “I was told I was over-qualified.”

Her sister suggested working as a seamstress until she could find work within her field.

“My sister was a seamstress,” Santos said. “She had worked in an office, but she made more money as a seamstress.”

She followed her sisters advice and began sewing at home.

While working as a seamstress, however, Santos continued looking for other employment.

“A school – Williams Career College – hired me part-time to write the curriculum for a business education department,” she said. “It was an allied health school, but they wanted to add business administration courses. My title was Business Education Director.”

In addition, Santos learned that a local dress shop was looking for a seamstress. She got the job. She worked both jobs and continued to send out resumes.

A large corporation expressed an interest in her qualifications, but she didn't get the job.

“They never even sent a letter to notify me of the status of my resume,” she said.

Never giving up

Santos got more bad news.

“Both the school and the dress shop where I was working within the same week,” she said. “I panicked. I had bought a house on Lake Street. I kept thinking – How can I pay for my house?”

The businesswoman considered opening an alterations shop in her home, but parking was an issue.

“The city was repairing the road, so I could not accept alterations,” she said. “There was no parking, I had to park a block away from my home.”

Santos didn't give up.

Instead, she leased space in a building on W. McNeese Street, which is directly across the street from the shop's current location.

Santos made it a success.

“I started with one customer and it became an overnight success,” she said.

Santos said her customers referred their friends and her business began to grow, where more space was needed.

“This house came up for sale and I purchased it,” she said.

That was before Hurricane Rita. The property suffered a great deal of damage requiring a new roof, walls and flooring.

“I felt like getting on the first plane back home,” she confessed. “When you are old and by yourself there's nobody to help you.”

Santos didn't give up. She hired a contractor with some insurance money she received and worked to re-open the business.

“Then there was Gustav and Ike,” she said. “It's difficult, but I can't just run away. I have the house on Lake Street, the house here and my business. These are all my responsibilities.”

Beginning as a hobby

Santos learned to sew at age 10, in her home economics class in the Philippines.

“In fifth grade, that's when everything started,” she said. “I had a very good teacher at the time.”

Her teacher taught the class to make aprons, towels, skirts, dresses and more.

“Out of necessity and poverty in the Philippines, my parents couldn't afford to buy us clothes,” Santos said. “I started making my own clothes, dresses for my sister, Violy, and my mom. Then I began to branch out and make dresses for my classmates and teachers – all for free.”

Even throughout her career as a college instructor, Santos was making clothes for friends.

“I made clothes for gifts for my friends and wedding gowns for my friends, who were getting married,” she said. “Some of them would ask me to make a certain dress. They would purchase the pattern and fabric for me to make the dress. That's how I was able to develop the skill.”

Santos is able to look at a picture of a dress and create her own patterns. She continues to do this for very special customers.

“I have some very special customers, who are very nice to me,” she said. “If they can't find dresses for special occasions, I will make dresses for them.”

For more information, call 562-9130, or visit Alterations & More at 1438 W. McNeese Street, Lake Charles. Fittings are by appointment only. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon. - Fri.

The Business of Love: Wendi's Flower Cart

By Lisa Yates
Editor, The Times of SWLA

 

Love means big business for several types of businesses this time of year – especially floral boutiques like Wendi's Flower Cart.

“This is the busiest season for us,” said Ray Bustillo, who owns the business with his wife, Wendi.

Wendi's Flower Cart, located at 3617 Common Street in Lake Charles, has been serving the area for more than 25 years. The friendly staff is dedicated to both creating the perfect arrangement and making sure it gets delivered on time.

“Try to order as soon as possible,” Bustillo suggested. “Normally, we run 10 trucks on Valentine's Day, but this year, it falls on a Saturday.”

He expects Friday will be another heavy delivery day this year.

“We deliver on Saturdays, but a lot of guys prefer to have their flowers delivered to where their wives, or girlfriends, work,” Bustillo said.

You can stretch the celebration into a nice, romantic weekend that way, he said.

What does it all mean?

“For Valentine's Day, the No. 1 selling flower is the red rose,” Bustillo said.

He said roses are available in many colors with meaning associated with each. For example, here are some of the traditional meanings:

Red – Love, of course

Coral – Desire

White – Innocence

Lavender – Love at first sight

Yellow – Friendship

Still, many have their favorite flowers and it's all a matter of preference.

Bustillo said his customers prefer fresh-cut flowers, with roses being the favorite.

“We're a full-service florist,” he said. “We do everything. We sell a lot of mixed arrangements, live plants, candy bouquets, silk flower arrangements and Teddy bears.”

The season brings heavier traffic than the others because one day is at the heart of it. People start calling about Valentine's Day ideas in January. Bustillo said business picks up steadily and doesn't ease until the holiday winds down.

But that's okay with him – he, Wendi, and their floral designers love every minute of it.

“This is very much a people business,” Bustillo said. “And, you don't see people sending flowers to someone they're mad at, or hate. It's very pleasing to be in this kind of business.”

Not for women only

If you think floral arrangements are just for the women, you're wrong, Bustillo said.

“This might surprise some people, but 20 to 25 percent of our Valentine's Day business is girls sending to guys,” he said.

Sure, some guys might act embarrassed, but they “really do like it,” he said.

Children are another good group to shower with flowers or other fun gifts, according to the florists.

It's not uncommon for them to deliver candy bouquets and Teddy bear arrangements to  local schools.

Valentine's Day isn't just for sweethearts, it's for young and old. The florists suggest sending something to your parents to make the day fun for them, too.

“It's for all the loved ones in our life,” Bustillo said.

Wendi's Flower Cart is really in the business of love all year.

“Mothers Day is our second busiest holiday,” Bustillo said. “Secretary's Week is third. Christmas is fourth. Prom season starts in March, followed by spring and summer weddings.”

This is a year round business, and while birthdays and anniversaries and holidays appear on calendars well in advance, illnesses, deaths and other occasions call for flowers on the spur of the moment.

“Death is the hard part of what we do,” Bustillo said. “But, it's a privilege to help someone and talk to them when they come in to order flowers or a casket cover. The hardest part is when children pass away. It's very sad. My wife and I have three kids and three grand kids.”

He said they have helped families through marriages, deaths, births and every occasion in between.

“We get to welcome babies being born and be there as young people plan their weddings,” Bustillo said. “One of our floral designers, Linda, specializes in weddings.”

There's always an occasion for flowers, he said.

“Our business deals with human emotion,” Bustillo said. “Flowers convey human emotion really well.”

Customer satisfaction

Hand-crafting the arrangements and giving each one a special sparkle – down to the color and size the customer wants – is what keeps business blossoming, according to Bustillo.

“Nobody can succeed 100 percent of the time, but we succeed 99.99 percent of the time,” he said. “We always strive to give people what they want. After all, they are the ones who pay our bills.

“We appreciate our customers and we know they can go other places. It sounds cliché, but we treat people the way we want to be treated. We believe in that.”

For more information, call 474- 5236, or (800) 882-0992; or visit, at 3617 Common Street in Lake Charles; or online, at www.wendisflowercart.com.

The Smell of Sweet Success: Delicious Donuts & Bakery

By Lisa Yates
Times Editor


Bakeries that want to succeed in today's supermarket culture must do more than assure their products are fresh.

Their ideas must be fresh, too.

When Paula Stevens and her brother, Lucas Verret, founded Delicious Donuts & Bakery 15 years ago, they included freshly-baked king cakes among their repertoire of mouth-watering treats.

“The most popular fillings are pecan praline, and pralines-n-cream,” Stevens said. “Half of all of the king cakes we sell are these.”  Along with fruit flavors – like bananas foster, blueberry, lemon, raspberry, strawberry, cherry, and pineapple – the bakery also offers Bavarian, chocolate, cream cheese and the traditional, cinnamon. There's also Zulu and a combination of fruit and cream cheese fillings on the menu.

Each year, Stevens and her “krewe” gets together to create a new filling just in time for Mardi Gras.  “One year it was bananas foster, another year we added peaches and cream,” she said. “We even had a peanut butter and jelly filling one year.  Stevens and the bunch would not divulge this year's new flavor, but added it will be out at the end of January.

“We're still sampling prototypes – it's a tough job, but someone has to do it,” she joked.  Delicious Donuts & Bakery sent The Times staff a Bavarian-filled king cake fresh out of the oven. Everyone agreed it was the best king cake in they had ever eaten.  But readers don't have to take their word for it. They can do a “Google search” and see what travel writers around the world have to say about these king cakes.

“When travel writers come to Louisiana, they travel throughout the state – New Orleans, Lafayette, all over – to see and do different things,” Stevens said. “When they come here, the tourist bureau takes them to the Mardi Gras museum and asks us to come give a king cake demonstration.”

She explained that a king cake demonstration involves bringing “naked king cakes” - those without icing and decorations – and letting visitors add the rest.  “We also tell them about the history of the king cake,” Stevens said. “We tell them it's a tradition for the person who finds the baby to host the next party. Most of thim don't know about this and they love it.”

When the writers get finished decorating, she arranges to have the cakes shipped to their homes. They sample the demo cake eagerly anticipating who will get the piece with the baby.  “It really makes an impression on them,” Stevens said. “Sometimes they'll send a copy of an article and we'll see that a third of it is dedicated to us.”

She said it's a lot of fun and something she enjoys sharing with others.  “It's very gratifying to start from scratch and end up with a product that puts a smile on someone's face and a taste they can remember,” Stevens said.
 
Many of her travel writers end up as loyal customers, ordering king cakes and sharing this Southwest Louisiana tradition with family and friends.  In fact, anyone can order king cakes. Cakes are shipped year-round through the Delicious Donuts & Bakery Web site at www.deliciouskingcakes.com.

During Mardi Gras season, king cakes are ready to go, baked fresh each day at the store on 2283 Country Club Road, in Lake Charles.  Customers can also call ahead to reserve a king cake with their favorite filling.

Delicious Donuts & Bakery has more than just the hottest king cakes in town, the shop specializes in donuts, kalotchies, cookies, cakes, and party trays – including miniatures – bite-sized appetizer versions of the full-sized pastries.
“We get orders from L'auberge du lac for the miniatures,” Stevens said. “They order them for their V.I.P. Guests.” 
Stevens and Verret not only own the shop, they work alongside their small kitchen staff making pastries and waiting on customers.  “I'm an arts and crafts person – I like to make things,” Stevens said. “Like art, you start from scratch and create a finished product – only ours you can eat!  “It's very gratifying to put a smile on someone's face and create a taste they can remember.”  Through a viewing window, customers can watch as dough is rolled out, hand-cut, and shaped for baking.

Stevens said there's an art to hand-cutting pastry, which is a key factor to making products look and taste good.  “After all, if it doesn't look good, nobody is going to eat it,” she said.

“We make it fresh on site; and, we're here every day to maintain quality control. We don't even try to compete with supermarket products. Ours are made fresh - they don't have that privilege.”

For more information, call (337) 479-2986, or visit Delicious Donuts & Bakery, at 2283 Country Club Road, in Lake Charles. The store is open from 5 a.m. To 6 p.m., seven days a week.