Bosco’s Owners Chad Hughes and Christina Bourg

Before Baton Rouge became awash in self-serve yogurt shops, local entrepreneur Chad Hughes launched his own version: Bosco’s, on Nicholson Drive. After graduating from LSU in 2008, Hughes observed the success of national chains like Pinkberry, and figured the concept would fare well in the Capital City. He and his wife, Christina Bourg, opened Bosco’s in 2010, one of the few locally-hatched serve yourself yogurt shops in the region. Last month, Bosco’s moved from its original location on Nicholson between Parker and East Boyd to the Perkins Road Overpass District.

Hughes and Bourg are hoping to capitalize on the area’s high concentration of restaurants and burgeoning pedestrian culture. The new Bosco’s is located next to Jimmy John’s in the former Denim Library, within walking distance of Rock N’Sake, Pinetta’s, DiGiulio Bros. Italian Café, Rama, Schlittz and Giggles, Chelsea’s, Zippy’s and other restaurants.

“My wife and I both grew up in the Garden District and we live here now,” says Hughes. “There are over 20 restaurants in a three block area, but until now there hadn’t been any place to grab dessert.”

Bourg designed the sleek, fresh space, which includes seating both inside and out. Bosco’s sells 16 or 32 oz. containers of serve your own frozen yogurt and toppings, the favorites of which include flavors like cake batter and cookies and cream. Bosco’s was successful on Nicholson Drive, but faced fierce competition from a growing number of national chains, including Menchie’s and Yogurtland. When a spot opened up on Perkins Road, the couple jumped on it. The Overpass District naturally inspires an expanded dining experience. Park your car, have dinner, then walk to dessert.

“The area also has new sidewalks, and a lot of runners and walkers,” Hughes adds.

The spot on Nicholson won’t be dormant for long. Hughes and Bourg replaced it with another business, the Man Cave Haircut Bar, where guys can watch flat screen TVs and drink complimentary beer while getting a haircut. It opens this month.