Toss a Coin for a Car
Lake Charles, Lafayette, Alexandria, Baton Rouge The first fully-automated, coin-operated car vending machine in the U.S. is entering the Louisiana market. Customers who buy a vehicle in Lake Charles, Lafayette, Alexandria and Baton Rouge through Carvana get a token that gives them access to the vehicle they purchased online: Insert token, watch car being retrieved, take it for a test spin, sign and drive away (7-day free returns). Contactless delivery or pick-up as soon as the next day (carvana.com).
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Be sure to call ahead for COVID-19-related closures before visiting any of the places listed.
Domino Effect
Broussard, Youngsville More than three dozen new businesses have popped up in the last few months around Broussard, according to the city’s mayor, with more to come. This includes new eateries near the big PPE manufacturing project underway on St. Nazaire Road. A Chick-fil-A is opening directly in front of it, Crave’s new operation moves into the space at 219 St. Nazaire Road this summer and a new Fat Pat’s Bar & Grill recently opened in the nearby Country View Center, where PJ’s Coffee opened in March. The C’est Jolie Centre’s second tenant (after Emmy’s Ice Cream Bar) will be Little Caesar’s Pizza. C’est Bon Crawfish recently opened in neighboring Youngsville, and Tropical Smoothie Café’s five-fold expansion in Acadiana will include the Broussard/Youngsville area.
Ready, Set, Go Doggie!
El Festival Española de Nueva Iberia is postponed again this year, but the annual Running of the Bulls race is still on for April 17. Participants are encouraged to bring their furry friends to the new dog-friendly 10K/5K/1-mile fun run along Bayou Teche. The first dog to cross the finish line receives a winner’s medal. Humans get free jambalaya (newiberia-spanishfestival.com).
