Cynthea Corfah

1 week ago | essence.com | Cynthea Corfah

When asked why his clothing brand, Emline, sells over 100 types of socks, owner and fashion designer James Mayes responds that he hates when people’s socks don’t match their outfits. “If you’re sitting down and you cross your legs and your pants roll up, I feel like you still should be in coordination,” Mayes says, as I chuckle in agreement over our Zoom call. “That’s just me. I hate when people have on all black and then you see their white socks. I feel like it just messed the outfit up.

1 week ago | whereyat.com | Cynthea Corfah

Motherland to Magazine Street Chef Serigne Mbaye's life changed when Dakar NOLA was named the 2024 Best New Restaurant at the James Beard Awards. He flew his entire staff out to the awards ceremony in Chicago, anticipating the potential win. Wearing traditional African garb, he fell to the ground holding his head in disbelief after the words "Dakar NOLA" rang from the announcer's microphone and were displayed across a large screen on stage. It was a moment he will never forget.

1 week ago | businessreport.com | Cynthea Corfah

Smalls Sliders, the Baton Rouge-founded burger franchise backed by NFL star Drew Brees, appointed a new CEO this month to lead the brand through its next phase of growth. Charles Watson, former CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, was named the new head of the fast-growing company founded by Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux’s Brandon Landry. Watson succeeds former Smalls Sliders CEO Maria Rivera who departed in March after leading the company since December 2022, when the sliders concept had just five units.

2 weeks ago | 225batonrouge.com | Cynthea Corfah

The Wong family, owners of hibachi and sushi eatery Ichiban and ramen restaurant Boru, are opening a new concept in Gonzales. Shokudo: Premium AYCE, a fine-dining all-you-can-eat Japanese restaurant, is slated to open in early June at the former Ichiban at 217 N. Airline Highway. After the Gonzales Ichiban closed in 2022, the Wong brothers—Randy, Eddie, Ronnie and Patrick—wanted to give the vacant restaurant previously managed by another family member a second go.

2 weeks ago | businessreport.com | Cynthea Corfah

Marucci Sports, a Baton Rouge baseball bat and sports equipment company, is growing its international presence. In partnership with The 108, Europe’s largest indoor baseball and softball training and leisure center, Marucci Sports opened Hitter’s House inside of The 108 in London this month. Hitter’s House will sell exclusive Marucci Sports products such as bats, fielding gloves and batting gloves.