Each week, we’ll offer insights into new businesses, developments and closings in the area. And we’ll answer your questions about what’s happening in a vacant store or empty lot. Email us at wpotter@theadvertiser.com.

The Lafayette-based Something Borrowed Blooms, a company that rents out premium silk flowers for weddings, is one of the fastest-growing companies in the southeast, according to Inc. Magazine.

The company, which opened an expanded facility in 2021, ranked 74 on Inc. Magazine's third annual list for the southeast region, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina and Tennessee. The southeast region list included 173 companies.

"We founded this company on the foundation of cost savings, offering our couples savings upwards of 70% compared to fresh flowers," said Lauren Bercier, the CEO and co-founder of the company. "In doing so, we've created a business model that's truly unique and providing more value than ever before in this new world we're living in."

More: Lafayette silk flower company named one of the fastest-growing businesses in the southeast

Since its founding in 2015, Something Borrowed Blooms has provided silk flower collections for more than 15,000 weddings. Laken Swan, the co-founder and chief marketing officer for the company, said it had a growth rate of 35% in 2020 and 85% in 2021, despite significant disruptions to the wedding industry by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company is preparing for an even bigger 2022, which is expected to see a record number of weddings across the U.S. after many were postponed over the last two years due to the pandemic.

"The growth was largely due to the fact that we were more nimble and flexible with our terms and availability compared to the rest of the market," Swan said. "Today, we’re providing flowers for over 900 weddings monthly from coast to coast, but we are anticipating order volumes of 2K+ per month with the wedding boom of 2022."

Lafayette auto dealer named TIME Dealer of the Year

Bob Giles, the owner of Giles Automotive in Lafayette, was named the 2022 TIME Dealer of the Year by TIME and Ally Financial, according to a press release.

Giles was honored Friday at the 105th National Automobile Dealers Association Show. The award, now in its 53rd year, is one of the most prestigious honors in the automotive retail industry.

The two companies cited the launch of the Giles Essential Errand Running Service as one of the reasons he was chosen for the award. The service used dealership staff to deliver groceries and essential items to senior citizens and immunocompromised people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Giles was chosen from a field of nearly 16,000 automotive dealers across the nation. Four other finalists were named.

Waitr scraps plan to buy cannabis software company

Waitr is no longer planning to purchase a software company that helps streamline cannabis dispensary sales, the company said Friday, though it does intend to pursue a relationship as Waitr continues to try to expand into cannabis delivery.

In December, the Lafayette-based company announced it had entered into a letter of intent to buy Retail Innovation Labs, or Cova. The two companies scrapped the agreement on March 10, but Waitr said it is still looking at a partnership that would allow Cova customers to arrange payment for delivery services.

Waitr: Waitr not planning to buy cannabis software company, reports loss of $8.1 million in 2021

The company also said it was moving ahead with plans to rebrand as ASAP, which it said better reflects its mission to "deliver anything."

Lafayette Jambalaya Shoppe closing

Lafayette's Jambalaya Shoppe will be closing its doors March 26, the location announced on Facebook.

Closing: Jambalaya Shoppe closing Lafayette location

According to the post, the Jambalaya Shoppe was unable to extend its lease at its 4150 West Congress Street location in the shopping center near Albertsons. The location has been open for around six years.

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This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Lafayette company one of the fastest-growing | Business Buzz