Look back at the businesses that opened in Monroe, West Monroe in 2023
Businesses has been thriving in Ouachita Parish, with new restaurants opening to new nightclubs. Here's just a look into the new businesses that have entered the area.
Food
Tail Gator's Sports Bar & Grill
The locally-owned downtown sports bar and grill opened in March by locals Emily Clampit, Hailey Ray and Trey Funderbird.
The establishment serves up self-indulgent drinks and delicious Louisiana-inspired dishes. Menu items range from flatbreads and burgers to alligator bites and boom boom shrimp.
Ray credited the lack of downtown food spots and sports-centered places as a reason to invest in another food option for downtowners.
More: Downtown Monroe sports bar and grill offers Louisiana-twist to gameday favorites
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, known for its cooked-to-order steakburgers, crispy shoestring fries and freshly churned frozen custard treats, opened its doors April 20.
Freddy's has more than 440 locations across 36 states nationwide since its inception in 2002 and now the Ouachita Parish residents can go over to the 3112 Cypress Street location to purchase a tasty treat.
More: Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers opens West Monroe location Tuesday
Andy's Frozen Custard
Andy's Frozen Custard was founded in 1986 in Osage Beach, Missouri and is regarded as the largest frozen custard-only chain in the United States with more than 140 locations nationwide.
Since the opening of the 3112 Cypress Street location, Ouachita Parish residents have finally gotten to experience the steakburgers, Vienna Beef hot dogs and chicken sandwiches, as well as frozen custard with a variety of specialty sundaes and concretes the chain is known for.
Freddy’s was co-founded in 2002 by two brothers Bill and Randy Simon, and their friend and business partner, Scott Redler in Wichita, Kansas to honor the Simon boy's late father Freddy Simon who prepared for his family all-American meals.
More: Andy's Frozen Custard is coming to West Monroe
Small Sliders
On Nov. 16, West Monroe welcomed Small Sliders to Thomas Road.
Small Sliders is a Louisiana-owned fast food restaurant located in Baton Rouge and New Orleans and is known for its crave-worthy cheeseburger sliders and the hyper-focused drive-through C-Can building design.
There are currently six locations across Louisiana, and this is the second location in North Louisiana.
More: Baton Rouge-based Smalls Sliders franchise is coming to West Monroe
Entertainment
Vibez Lounge
Downtown Monroe welcomed a new nightspot to add to the booming nightlife in downtown Monroe.
Ivan and Rosanna Thomas opened Vibez Lounge in February and has attracted a diverse group of patrons to the establishment. The lounge enforces a strict dress code and has front door security on hire.
It hosts a number of events throughout the week, such as Drunk Karaoke on Monday. On Wednesday, the lounge promotes "Wingsday," offering 50 cent wings with a $5 drink minimum from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. The lounge will soon start serving lunch at 11 a.m., selling wings, burgers and tacos.
Sidelines Sports Lounge
Sideline's Sports Lounge opened on St. Patrick's Day and has been a sanctuary for sports enthusiasts.
The lounge, owned by Dustin Underwood and Makaria Atkins, offers the essential elements a sports lounge should have: a wide drink selection, large HDTVs and a convenient location.
Sideline's is at 227 DeSiard Street, Monroe and is open 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Sunday.
More: New York inspired lounge in Downtown Monroe attracts sports lovers alike
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This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Look back at the businesses that opened in Monroe, West Monroe in 2023
