Jefferson Parish, La. - People who live and work in Jefferson Parish have probably noticed a lot of food and retail construction across the area. The parish is experiencing a major boom in developments, and prospects from across the country are interested in locating there and expanding.
"We wanted to be right here on Veterans Blvd., and when this property opened up, we knew this would be a great location," said Mike Lucas.
Lucas, Dir. of Operations of the Panera Bread franchise says they're seeing anywhere between 13 to 1400 customers a day at the new Veterans location, and they've only been open for about 10 days.
"It's unbelievable, this is our number one store right now in sales. Best opening we've ever had, almost by double the sales," said Lucas.
Other new food and retail shops across the parish say they're seeing a similar trend. Next door neighbors Bone Fish Grill, Pei Wei Asian Diner, and Red Mango Yogurt and Smoothies are sharing that same eager customer base.
"We knew we'd be busy, but we didn't expect this kind of busy," said Lucas.
And less than a mile down Veterans Blvd., a Buffalo Wild Wings is just months away from completion.
"This is an exciting time for Jefferson Parish, we are just absolutely thrilled with all the new developments and projects that have been coming here," said Kelsey Scram with the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission.
Scram says since Jan. 2011, they've averaged about 125 new businesses added to their base, monthly.
"Right now, communities all over the place are having trouble keeping prospects coming, and keeping prospects interested, but Jefferson Parish is actually very fortunate to have a lot of prospects looking at sites here," said Scram.
"What's driving it, is I think people are starting to get confidence, the economy is improving nationally, and we have the bridge over here, so there is a lot of activity. Jefferson has always been the retail center," said Jefferson Parish Pres. John Young.
A 65,000 square foot expansion at Elmwood Shopping Plaza will bring in a number of new retailers and restaurants. Businesses include DSW Shoe Warehouse, Ulta Cosmetics, Women's Accessory Store Charming Charlie's, and Kay Jewelers. Shoppers can also work up an appetite for Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Zoe's Kitchen, Theo's Pizza, Chipotle, and Pinkberry. Plus a much larger Verizon Wireless flagship store will replace the current location.
"We budget very conservatively, we budget for zero tax growth, but we're going to see hopefully some increased sales tax growth as the economy improves, we'll be able to reinvest in our infrastructure," said Young.
At Panera Bread, Lucas says there's already big plans to grow the franchise across the state.
The parishes' economic development commission says it's working with 12 major prospects, with one narrowed in on the Churchill Technology and Business Park on the West Bank. The new Elmwood Plaza development is expected to open in about eight weeks.
New retail construction in Elmwood (FOX 8)
