August 2026’s new openings and spots to watch in the Capital Region: Gotcha Claw Machine Arcade, House Brew and more

While many Baton Rougeans soaked up the last few weeks of summer, new business owners were busy getting their restaurants, fitness studios and other concepts together for an August opening.

If you were away on summer vacay or just too busy this month, you may have missed these Capital Region debuts. But don’t worry. We’ve compiled a list so you’re up to date on the latest openings around town.

Did we miss a business or restaurant that opened during August? Tell us by emailing [email protected].

Gotcha Claw Machine Arcade 

6555 Siegen Ln., Ste. 16

Win big at Baton Rouge’s newest claw arcade. The new Gotcha Claw Machine Arcade on Siegen Lane is filled with plushies, games, toys and mystery boxes waiting to be won. Founded last year in Lafayette by X Chen, who also co-owns the authentic Asian restaurant Dumpling and Bao, Gotcha was inspired by Chen’s desire to share Asian culture in Louisiana.

The Red Stitch

7517 Jefferson Hwy.

Follow the rainbow of colored threads to The Red Stitch, a new needlepoint shop and social space now open on Jefferson Highway. The new space, located inside Jefferson Plaza next to Café Americain, is a stitcher’s paradise, packed with retail items including canvases, threads, needlepoint accessories, self-finishing pieces and needleminders. But The Red Stitch also aims to be more than a store, offering comfy nooks and tucked-away spaces for stitchers and other creatives to socialize or find reprieve from the hustle and bustle outside.

House Brew 

278 North St.

After two years as a coffee pop-up, House Brew opened its downtown brick-and-mortar in August. Sip affogatos, cappuccinos and lattes at this new coffee spot. House Brew also serves cinnamon rolls, cookies and other baked goods from CounterSpaceBR, breakfast burritos from Lona Rai’s Kitchen & Bakery and seven specialty paninis in flavors like caprese chicken and Mediterranean veggie that are made and pressed in house.

Chatagnier Community Market

14210 Airline Hwy., Gonzales

The new Chatagnier Community Market is a one-stop shop for local groceries and gifts. The 1,300-square-foot store holds items from about 60 curated vendors, including Sagrera Farms beef and pork, honey from J&J Apiary, Bonnecaze Farms stone ground grits, Black Prairie Farms cookie mixes and syrups, Feliciana’s Best Creamery dairy products, Mycocentrics mushroom tinctures, fresh eggs, sourdough and all manner of preserves, sauces and other prepared foods. Chatagnier says she is planning to add fresh produce in the future. The store also stocks gifts, including leatherwork, cups, T-shirts, candles and soaps.

Dearman’s South 

174 South Blvd.

Baton Rouge burger institution Dearman’s Diner brought its classic burgers to a satellite location downtown this month. Dearman’s South is located in a dormant food truck wedged into a patio corner of the dive bar Brickyard South. Dearman’s serves a grab-and-go lineup that riffs on menu items served at the flagship Bocage location, including quarter-pound hamburgers and cheeseburgers, hot dogs, fried and grilled chicken sandwiches and fries. A few new stomach-coating additions appear as well, including meat pies and onion rings.

Also on our radar

• Raising Cane’s is celebrating its 30th year. For one month, the first Raising Cane’s restaurant at 3313 Highland Rd. in Baton Rouge is featuring an exclusive look into the franchise’s history with a nearby pop-up museum housed in owner and founder Todd Graves’ old ’90s apartment, where he lived when he launched the chicken finger business.
• Yee haw! Get ready for country concerts and rodeos at the new Rancher Hat Bar, located at 3535 Perkins Rd., Ste A5 near Trader Joe’s. Customize trucker hats and cowboy hats with branding and embellishments at this new shop.
• New doughnut pop-up business Dough Bros is providing Baton Rouge with a new option for breakfast treats. Equipped with a cart for pop-ups or events, the twin-brother-run concept features “real ingredient” doughnuts offered in four flavors.
• Get your move on at the new Livin Studio, located at 3636 Nicholson Dr. The movement and recovery studio, founded by Layla Kiffin, uses heat and red light for intentional workout classes and recovery sessions.