Roundup: Restaurants say USBC championships helping sales … Galatoire’s Bistro to break ground Wednesday

Bowling for dollars: The United States Bowling Congress Open Championships have been rolling at the Baton Rouge River Center for three months now, and downtown-area restaurants say the influx of bowlers has created a noticeable uptick in business. Mayor Kip Holden credited the national bowling tournament—which began Feb. 11 and runs through July 9—in part for pushing city-parish sales tax collections to a new record in March: $15.5 million. Click here to read the whole story in Daily Report.

Back in the bistro: Galatoire’s Bistro is set to hold an official groundbreaking ceremony signaling the start of the restaurant’s construction on Wednesday, May 30, at the corner of Acadian Thruway at Perkins Road. The venue, set to open this December, will include a restaurant, bar, private dining space and outdoor dining area. Once complete, Acadian Village shopping center will boast additional restaurants, local boutiques and specialty stores.