Downtown Lafayette welcomed a new addition with the grand opening of Magnolia Pantry at 219 E. Vermilion Street in the historic Sans Souci Building. According to this article from The Daily Advertiser, the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was held on August 28, marked the successful launch of a project designed not only to provide a new culinary destination but also to advance the broader revitalization of the city’s downtown district.

The creation of Magnolia Pantry was the direct outcome of One Acadiana’s Small Business Challenge, a program initiated in fall 2023 to support entrepreneurial ventures and boost downtown vibrancy. This initiative offered up to $100,000 in investment capital, along with a prime lease in the Sans Souci Building, to the winning business concept. According to One Acadiana, the effort was structured as part of its Vibrant Acadiana plan, which emphasized small business development as a cornerstone of community growth.

Prior to the opening, Troy Wayman, President and CEO of One Acadiana, had explained that the Small Business Challenge was designed to strengthen both the local economy and the pedestrian-friendly atmosphere of the downtown corridor. He credited inspiration from a Leadership Exchange trip for shaping the program, which allowed local leaders to bring home innovative concepts and adapt them for Lafayette’s unique cultural environment.

Magnolia Pantry, founded by entrepreneurs Korey Champagne and Alexis Badon, emerged as the winner after a rigorous multi-round evaluation process. Their concept fused two existing local brands—Acadian Slice Pies andMagnolia Moon—into a single storefront, blending artisanal baking with unique beverages and confections. The menu featured handmade pies, lavender lemonades, organic cotton candy, snow cones, coffee, and ice cream, providing both nostalgic comfort and creative flair.

The Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority (LPTFA) played a key role in supporting the project. Its executive director, Alex Lazard, emphasized that backing Magnolia Pantry demonstrated how public-private partnerships could spark small business growth while also revitalizing key areas of the city. He viewed the pantry’s opening as evidence that collaborative investment could create meaningful opportunities for entrepreneurs while simultaneously enriching the community at large.

The space itself received a complete renovation before the opening, outfitted with outdoor seating to encourage gathering and activity around the adjoining Parc Sans Souci. Positioned directly next to a recently developed children’s play area, the pantry quickly became a destination for families and visitors seeking both relaxation and refreshment in the heart of the city.

Kevin Blanchard, CEO of the Downtown Development Authority, described Magnolia Pantry as the kind of activation city leaders had envisioned when planning Lafayette’s downtown renewal. He noted that the proximity to the park created a natural flow between recreation and dining, giving locals a chance to enjoy pie or coffee while their children played nearby. The new business, he added, was an example of how investments in local entrepreneurship could enhance the quality of life for residents while drawing additional foot traffic to downtown.

For Champagne and Badon, the opening represented the culmination of years spent serving at Acadiana markets and festivals. They expressed gratitude that their two ventures had finally found a permanent home within Lafayette’s cultural center. Their journey from vendor tents to a brick-and-mortar establishment underscored the potential of small businesses to grow with the support of community-driven initiatives like the Small Business Challenge.

The project illustrated how a thoughtfully structured small business competition could do more than launch a single storefront. It served as a model for revitalization, inspiring civic pride while strengthening Lafayette’s position as a vibrant regional center. Magnolia Pantry, with its blend of culinary artistry and community focus, became a symbol of what was possible when public and private sectors worked together with a shared vision for the future.

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