The Rum House coming this fall

New Orleans-based Caribbean eatery The Rum House is planning a Baton Rouge location on a half-acre site on Perkins Road in front of the Perkins Palms mixed-use development between Essen Lane and Kenilworth Parkway.

“They’ve already broken ground and we’ve been told by the contractor [Lanco Construction] that they can get this done in about 20 weeks, and that they’re shooting for an opening sometime this fall,” says Alex Knight of Donnie Jarreau Real Estate, who brokered the deal with Colin Holmes of SRSA Commercial Real Estate. Donnie Jarreau and Kent Walker are developing the property.

The Baton Rouge location will include about 4,000 square feet and have a West Indies flavor, says Knight, with storm shutters, exposed ceiling and garage doors opening to a large patio. Kelly Ponder, Michael Buchert and Terri Savoie own and operate the The Rum House on Magazine Street in New Orleans, and at least two of them have deep local ties.

Ponder and Buchert are originally from Baton Rouge and have long wanted to open a location here.

“Ever since our New Orleans location settled in, Baton Rouge has always been on the radar,” says Ponder. “We’ve always wanted to open up a restaurant in our hometown and this location was perfect.” —Steve Sanoski