From the editor: 225’s April edition is on newsstands—and online—now

Local distillery creates free hand sanitizer for the public and first responders amid pandemic

By Brittney Forbes @itsbritforbes March 31, 2020

Where there's a distillery, there's probably a way to create much-needed hand sanitizer. Sugarfield Spirits co-owner Andrew Soltau heard about another distillery that was creating hand sanitizer to help with the COVID-19 pandemic. At first, he and his team dismissed the idea at their own distillery from a business standpoint—it's only been open a few months. But a few days later, they saw a statement from the Alcohol and Tobacco…

Baton Rouge jewelry maker creates wearable art inspired by Africa

By Cynthea Corfah @lacedincyn January 2, 2020

Morgan Udoh has been researching her lineage since 2012. She craved knowledge about her African American ancestors, wanting to fill the gaps on what she already knew about her heritage. She took an ancestry DNA test and collected photos, stories and names from her family members. She gradually accumulated a collection of meaningful artifacts to preserve her family’s legacy and trace their roots back to Africa. Piece by piece, her…

Baton Rouge events that have been postponed or canceled because of COVID-19

By Benjamin Leger March 17, 2020

Spring is normally the high season of festivals and events around Baton Rouge, but the COVID-19 outbreak unfortunately has lead to several postponements and cancellations. Below are some changes to the spring calendar you should be aware of. While the 225 team will attempt to keep this list updated, events and closures are subject to change, so check with the businesses' website for the most updated info. And with President…

Local candle and ceramics company sells eco-friendly home goods and drinkware that benefits pollinators

By Cynthea Corfah @lacedincyn February 2, 2020

It was 3 a.m. when Lauren Strain woke up with a new business idea. The single mother was a freelance photographer, but she was in search of another creative outlet she could do from home. Little did she know the idea she was praying for would come in the middle of the night. “When I thought of this, it was like I could see the entire brand,” Strain says. “I…