With 25 years under her belt, Zeeland Street Market owner Stephanie Phares knew it was time for a different atmosphere.
From about late May to mid-August, the market located at 2031 Perkins Road was under renovation to update the eatery’s interior. Cooler doors were removed off the back wall, a hallway was created to hide the restrooms and a new floor and new cabinets were installed.
When you walk into Zeeland Street now, the green accent wall grabs your attention, complementing the patterned cabinets and brightly decorated menu boards.
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“I wanted it to feel like … my home, like my living room, dining room, kitchen—that you’re coming to my house,” Phares says.
Renovations weren’t the only updates Phares had in mind. She also wanted to add Sunday brunch and dinner hours. However, with the recent August flooding, those plans were put on hold because many current employees were affected by flooding.
“With the flood, it changed the dynamics of everything,” she says. “And even though we didn’t flood [at Zeeland Street] and my home didn’t flood, it touched so many people. It still gives me the chills.”
With Baton Rouge in the rebuilding process, Phares says she hopes to begin her new brunch menu on Saturdays and add Sunday brunch hours, as well as dinner hours, as soon as possible. She is continuing to look for more staff members to help with the additional hours and menus.
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Zealand Street’s liquor license was approved last October, but the restaurant will officially start selling alcohol this weekend (Sept. 17). Right now, drinks will include wine and beer. Mimosas and bloody marys are available for brunch.
Phares would also like to give back to the flood victims and the community through her restaurant. She says she’s working with an event planner to organize a “Soul Fest” to happen around November.
Currently, the eatery serves breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. On Saturdays, Zeeland Street is open 7 a.m.-2 p.m. More information on Zeeland Street can be found on its website.
