New Restaurant to Open in Old Elle J’s Location

Elle J’s located on Harrison Avenue in Lakeview closed this summer and after closing was picked up by the owners of Velvet Cactus and Wrong Iron. Now that they have leased the space, they are working on the plans for a new restaurant.

According to Rusty White, one of the project partners, the new restaurant will be called Outpost 45 which will be a casual, family-friendly restaurant. The menu is set to mix local flavors with American comfort food along with a bar. The restaurant is slated to open in March 2022 and gets its name from the bus line that serves Lakeview.

The popular spot has been other restaurants in the past including Elle-J’s and Mondo. Mondo was an eclectic neighborhood go-to for 10 years and was owned by Rosedale’s Chef Susan Spicer. Spicer is also the owner of Bayona and another restaurant in the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

“We all live here in Lakeview, and we want something that’s going to be good for Lakeview,. The thing about Lakeview is, if you do something good the neighborhood is so loyal they will support it,” says White.

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Five Upgrades To Do To Create Your Dream Kitchen and Bath

For ages those in the industry have told sellers that a bathroom or kitchen remodel will also benefit the resale value of their home. Homeowners always think of these upgrades when they are ready to sell their home. Homeowners should do the upgrades while they still live in their home so they can enjoy the benefits. Here are five things to do to upgrade your kitchen and bathroom for you to add style and functionality.

1. Upgrade Your Kitchen Cabinets

Upgrading your kitchen cabinets can instantly give your kitchen a new and refreshed look. You can simply buy an off-the shelf style or have custom cabinets built. If you would like to make your kitchen feel bigger and brighter, then a shaker-style cabinet in white is the perfect option. Choose cabinets with the functions that you want and that will work for you. Remember what kind of material a cabinet is made out of is important, those made out of plywood are stronger and are better at holding off water damage.

2. Install New Countertops

Another great way to give your kitchen a great new look is by getting new countertops. Today’s countertops are more durable and easier to maintain. “We’re seeing a lot of new materials in countertops. Products like ultra-compact, quartzite and porcelain are incredibly strong; scratch-, stain- and heat-resistant; and require practically zero maintenance,” says Ximena Johnson, product manager at Cabinets to Go.

3. Add a Stylish Bathroom Vanity

When you think of a bathroom vanity, you think of storage and a counter to put your toiletries, but a bathroom vanity is just as much the focal point of a bathroom. Getting a new vanity in your bathroom will give the whole room a refreshed look. “Homeowners are becoming more adventurous. Statement colors like rich Newport Blue and warm Montpelier Sage are having a moment. At the same time, classic favorites like Nantucket Bluff, a gorgeous, warm cream, are being used in fun and refreshing ways. Bathrooms are a great place to play with a pop of color, especially if you’re not ready to commit in the more high-traffic rooms of the house. We’re renovating in my own home right now and using Newport Blue raised-panel cabinets for our bath vanity,” says Johnson.

4. Switch to Waterproof Flooring

Hardwood floors are very popular, however they are prone to water damage. A good alternative is a vinyl floor that has a hardwood look. “XRP waterproof vinyl flooring stands up to daily traffic and can be installed just about anywhere in the home and over a variety of subfloors, including bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms,” suggests Johnson.

5. Rethink the Little Touches

“The devil is in the details when you’re remodeling, particularly when it comes to important, everyday rooms like kitchens and bathrooms,” says Johnson. If you do not want to do a big rehaul in your bathroom or kitchen, update smaller elements in the room. Change out the cabinet handles for a more updated look or add a tiled backsplash behind a vanity or the kitchen stove.

Remember the little touches can create a fresh new look in your kitchen or bathroom. These small touches can make you fall in love with these rooms in a new light!

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Small Businesses Are Considering Alternative Lenders Over Traditional Banking

Many small businesses in the U.S. have been getting frustrated with traditional banks and their loans. Businesses have voiced that the process is very slow and burdensome, even though there are strings attached when it comes to using alternative lenders.

According to a study from the Harris Poll, 62% of small businesses admit they need more financing and 68% say they need fast cash. Five hundred small business owners with $25,000 to $20 million in annual revenue were surveyed. Many surprisingly said they would rather wait in line at the DMV, sitting in congested traffic, assemble furniture or clean a toilet rather than apply for a loan through a traditional bank.

Eighty-four percent of small businesses agreed that they would be open to applying for financial services through outlets such as fintech and e-commerce platforms. Of these small businesses, 51% said it would be because of affordable loans, 49% instant loan approval, and 45% said it would be due to using a single platform to manage their finances.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) will hopefully come to the rescue. While Unit itself does not make loans, it works with five banks that provide financial products, which fintech companies can then market on the bank’s behalf.  This would be made through a proposed rule change from the SBA. The proposed rule would let fintechs and other alternative lenders apply for a license in order for them to be able to offer SBA-backed 7(a) loans. This will speed up the process but at what costs?

“The faster it is to get the money, the scarier the rates and terms will be,” says Ami Kassar, the founder and chief executive officer at MultiFunding, a Philadelphia-based consulting firm focused on business financing options.

Her advice is to slow down and make sure you know the terms and conditions of the loans. This includes interest payments and the frequency of payments which will determine how this will impact your cash flow.

“You have to be extraordinarily careful, really understand if you’re taking a loan what your monthly payment is going to be, and make sure you’re not getting yourself in a debt trap, ” advises Kassar.

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A New Look For Audubon Aquarium and Woldenberg Park

The Audubon Aquarium is currently closed for at least six months but the good news is that it is getting a facelift along with Woldenberg Park. The $41 million renovation will be a great perk once it is finished.

The Aquarium has been renovated before, but this is the biggest renovation since 1990. The new attraction called the Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium links the aquarium to the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium. The Entergy Giant Screen Theater will be removed and replaced with the insectarium exhibits.

The renovation will add over 17,000 feet of exhibit space. The new entrance and lobby will be an enclosed 60-foot tall glass lobby. The glass pyramid will shoot out from the building facing the Mississippi River.

The Insectarium space will have a special event space on the first floor and the second floor will include the insectarium galleries and butterfly pavilion. The new butterfly exhibit will have lower ceilings so visitors can get a better look at the butterflies.

The aquarium will get upgrades including the Mississippi River Gallery, the Amazon Rainforest Gallery and the Top of the Gulf Experience. Woldenberg Park will also get $7 million in upgrades on the entrances, landscaping and electrical system.

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A New Park Opens With Free Outdoor Concerts

St. Claude Arts Park is a new park in Arabi that was built on the lot next to the Zeitgeist Theatre & Lounge.  The park is a nice new outdoor venue and art market space for residents and visitors to enjoy.  The park opening was celebrated with two free concerts sponsored by the Jazz Foundation of America. 
The land that the new park is located on is owned by Meraux Foundation which also owns the land the two blocks art district is located on. The arts district includes Zeitgeist Theatre, the artist’s studio and exhibition space St. Claude Arts and the consulting, design and framing business Art Conscious. The foundation is a private family foundation that supports many initiatives in St. Bernard Parish.  These initiatives include projects in coastal restoration, economic development, arts and culture, and education.
“We want to leverage arts and culture as an economic driver. It’s organically growing into a nice destination,”  says Chris Haines, who is a member of the Meraux Foundation Board.
The St. Claude Arts space is made up of 11 studios that are affordable for artists to use.  They are currently filled with artists who are using a vast array of different mediums including painting, mixed media, photography, printmaking, woodworking, furniture refurbishing, and vintage clothing.  One of the studios is Visual Arts which displays local exhibitions.  Art will also be displayed on walls throughout the art district as the foundation has hired 10 muralists to complete this project.
As for the park, there are around 10,000 square feet of open space with lights and a covered area for bands and performances.  The building facade located at 6609 St. Claude Ave houses the restrooms, and storage space and the black back wall will be used for outdoor movies.  The park and Zeitgeist Theatre will hold the reception for PhotoNOLA which is New Orleans’ photography festival that runs December 7 – 10, 2022.  During this festival, there will also be a photography-themed art market.