Trendy Soft Serve Chain and New Starbucks Opening Downtown
Appearing on Nola.com. Picture and Arcticle by Jennifer Larino
Starbucks and Aqua S, a trendy Australian soft serve ice cream chain, are among new retailers moving into the South Market District.
Starbucks and Aqua S will move into ground floor spaces at the corner of Girod Street and O’Keefe Avenue, inside The Beacon, an apartment complex developed by The Domain Cos., according to a news release from the developer. The stores are set to open in March.
Akhtar Nawab will open his restaurant in the South Market District development.
The changes are the latest for the evolving South Market District, a $500 million mixed-use development by The Domain Cos. centered on Girod Street and O’Keefe Avenue. The Standard, a $80 million luxury condo development, opened last spring at the corner of O’Keefe and Julia Street. The Odeon, a $106 million apartment building with 271 units, is under construction along Loyola Avenue. The development also includes The Paramount and The Beacon, both apartment buildings.
In addition to Starbucks and Aqua S, Fidelity Bank has opened a branch in one of the storefronts on the ground floor of The Standard, according to the news release. The branch opened Dec. 31 in a storefront facing O’Keefe Avenue. Eustis Mortgage will also open an office in a storefront on the opposite side of the building along South Rampart Street this spring.
Franchise owner Jordan Le said in a statement that he’s looking forward to “bringing something unique” to New Orleans’ food scene.
The Starbucks location will be the 10th to open in the Central Business District and Warehouse District.
Other South Market District tenants include restaurants Willa Jean, Company Burger, Magasin Kitchen and Maypop, and retailers Lukka Boutique, Zeus’ Place and Simplee Gourmet.