Photo above of Darryl Reginelli, owner of Reginelli’s Pizza, taken by Cheryl Gerber.
Doing business in the shadows of LSU isn’t as easy as you might think.
In the latest issue of Business Report, Stephanie Riegel examines businesses located near the North Gates of LSU. There, restaurants and popular eateries such as Reginelli’s and Highland Coffees have become staples for the community abroad. Reginelli’s owner Darryl Reginelli figured that, when he opened on West Chimes Street seven years ago, the location would be a slam dunk.
“I’m glad we’re there, but seven years later we’re still trying to learn the students’ needs, LSU’s needs and how to get the most out of the location,” Reginelli says. “It’s certainly different than I anticipated.”
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For retailers and restaurants, the neighborhood is a “double-edged sword,” Reigel writes.
“That which makes it so attractive—proximity to the campus and its thousands of students—also makes it problematic,” she writes. “Students are seasonal and have limited incomes. Being nestled near the campus makes parking impossible. Even factors one might think would work in a merchant’s favor—game days, for instance—can be as much of a headache as a help.”