In this episode, Adam Daigle, Business Editor of The Acadiana Advocate, returns to break down Lafayette and Acadiana’s top five business stories of 2025. With years of experience tracking economic trends, major developments, and the people shaping our community, Adam offers an inside look at what’s driving growth—and what challenges remain.

From the long-awaited arrival of Trader Joe’s to manufacturing growth, real estate trends, and the future of North Lafayette, this conversation is packed with insight.

A Post-Covid Economy: Stabilizing but Still Shifting

Adam notes that Acadiana has mostly returned to pre-pandemic normalcy, but some sectors continue to adjust:

• Restaurants: Sales are outpacing inflation overall, but performance is uneven. High-traffic corridors like Kaliste Saloom are thriving, while many locally-owned restaurants still struggle with tight margins, rising costs, and increased competition.
• Retail: Still strong—people are spending, and parish retail sales continue to grow.
• Manufacturing: One of the region’s most promising economic bright spots. Well-paying jobs, steady growth, and diversification beyond oil and gas continue to strengthen the sector.

Manufacturing Momentum—Even After Setbacks

While Acadiana added thousands of manufacturing jobs since 2020, the closure of SafeSource Direct was a painful blow. The PPE manufacturer, built during the pandemic, couldn’t compete with ultra-low-cost Chinese imports. The result: 700 local jobs lost, many held by women and graduates of drug court programs.

Even so, Adam emphasizes that manufacturing remains a major growth engine. Companies continue to diversify away from oil and gas, and Louisiana’s industrial corridor—from I-49 to Hwy 90—remains active and expanding.

Real Estate & Housing Trends

Adam continues to follow Lafayette’s housing market closely:

• Higher-end homes that once sat on the market are now moving again.
• Sales volume is rising month-to-month.
• Rental demand remains extremely high, driven by population growth and a historic low in first-time homebuyers (just 21% nationally, with the average of a first-time homebuyer being 40 years of age nationally).
• Lafayette continues to see brisk apartment construction to meet demand.

The market is tight—but not dangerously overbuilt.

Adam Daigle’s Top Five Business Stories of 2025

1. Trader Joe’s Is (Finally) Coming to Lafayette

The biggest story of the year: Trader Joe’s is officially in the works for the corner of Bluebird Drive and Camellia Blvd. in Lafayette.

Because the company is notoriously secretive, even the appearance of a permit created excitement. The land deal is expected to be finalized soon, with construction likely leading to an opening in late 2026 or early 2027.

Fun fact: Lafayette will become one of only three cities in the U. S. that have both a Buc-ee’s and a Trader Joe’s.

2. Northgate Mall Sold to Local Investor Jacoby Landry

North Lafayette’s aging Northgate Mall has new life ahead. Entrepreneur Jacoby Landry purchased the property with a long-term vision for transforming the site—not simply filling it with retail, but creating a mixed-use redevelopment with potential for office, residential, and community uses.

Jacoby is rebranding Northgate Mall as “The Hub,” inspired by Lafayette’s nickname, Hub City, and the I-10/I-49 cloverleaf, which will be reflected in its new logo. The redevelopment will focus on mixed-use commerce, green spaces, and lighting to ensure safety and create a welcoming atmosphere.

Years of deferred maintenance mean slow, steady work ahead, but the project is finally backed by a local owner committed to revitalization.

The first major opening recently announced is Xtreme Health Club, a full-service fitness facility taking over the former Planet Fitness space. Owned and operated by Jacoby Landry’s sister, Rachel McCorvey, the facility will feature a nutritionist, weight management services, Botox, IV drips, sauna, hot tub, salt room, cold plunge, a health bar, and two indoor pickleball courts. Pilates and boxing fitness will also be offered, bringing Red’s Health Club-like amenities to North Lafayette on a smaller, community-focused scale. It’s expected to open in early 2026.

3. Buc-ee’s Delayed… Again

The massive travel center planned for I-10 is still happening, but Buc-ee’s has pushed back construction. The company is re-evaluating store designs nationwide, impacting multiple projects—not just Lafayette’s. The new projected opening is 2028.

Even with delays, the development will be a major economic catalyst, generating hundreds of jobs and significant sales-tax revenue.

4. SafeSource Direct Closure

One of the biggest economic losses of the year was the shutdown of SafeSource Direct’s facilities in Broussard and Lafayette Parish. Global PPE competition, especially from China, made U.S. glove manufacturing unsustainable.

Key impacts:

• 700 local jobs lost
• Loss of a major employer of graduates from local drug court programs
• Decrease in regional PPE manufacturing capacity

5. The Passing of Red Lerille

Lafayette lost an icon with the death of Red Lerille, founder of Red Lerille’s Health & Racquet Club and beloved community figure.

Adam reflected on:

• Red’s unmatched work ethic
• His legacy as Mr. America in his youth
• His lifelong devotion to improving Lafayette
• The enormous public response to stories about him

Red’s influence on local fitness, business, and civic life is irreplaceable. Yet, his family follows in his loving footsteps and Red Lerille’s Health Club will remain a bedrock of our local fitness community.

Community Leaders to Watch: Mandi Mitchell of LEDA

Adam highlights Mandi Mitchell, CEO of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority, as one of the region’s most impactful leaders. “She’s got an incredible background working as an Assistant Secretary with the Louisiana Economic Development. It was a great grab to get her back here in Lafayette.”

Her accomplishments include:

• Reviving the long-stalled Buc-ee’s project
• Supporting the Northgate Mall redevelopment and mentoring owner Jacoby Landry to achieve great success
• Recruiting new business and manufacturing opportunities
• Expanding LEDA’s role into urban planning and talent development
• Empowering local entrepreneurs through mentorship programs

Mandi Mitchell’s philosophy that has inspired Adam Daigle and his favorite quote of the year: “If you want to change Lafayette, you have to build the people here to do it. The cavalry’s not coming.”

What’s Ahead for 2026

Adam anticipates several big developments in the coming year:

• Major Youngsville Mega-Development

A massive mixed-use expansion planned south of Chemin Metairie—bigger than Sugar Mill Pond.

• Continued Manufacturing Expansion

Projects like First Solar’s facility in New Iberia and partnerships with companies such as Noble Plastics will bring hundreds of new jobs and long-term growth.

• New Downtown Hotel

An 84-room boutique hotel breaking ground at the former Don’s Seafood site—adding much-needed lodging to downtown Lafayette.

• Drone Technology Hub

Two drone companies, DMR Technologies and Drone Institute, LLC, are moving into the former Reptile Tannery Facility which was originally the L. A. Frey Meat packing plant building at 105 Dorset Avenue, positioning Lafayette as a future leader in drone manufacturing, training, and emergency-response tech.

• Proposed Indoor Sports Complex

A public–private partnership near the Cajundome and Cajun Field could bring a regional-scale sports facility to Lafayette, boosting tourism and event hosting.

Restaurant Closures & Market Saturation

Lafayette continues to lose 20–30 restaurants per year—a typical number, but Adam notes rising oversaturation and operating costs. Fast-casual and takeout remain strong, but dine-in restaurants face higher risk and shrinking margins. Even kitchen-ready restaurant spaces are sitting vacant longer than usual.

Pinhook Road & Redevelopment Questions

Despite frequent headlines about dilapidated hotels and blighted property, Adam does not expect major redevelopment along Pinhook Road in the short term. LCG is focusing instead on stabilizing the city’s expanding “empty urban core,” particularly the Evangeline Thruway and Johnson Street corridor near UL

Where to Read More from Adam

Adam continues to document Acadiana’s economic story through:

• The Acadiana Advocate
• The Advocate Business Newsletter
• Regular digital reporting at theadvocate.com

You can subscribe to the Acadiana Advocate either digitally and/or print editions here.

Adam Daigle’s work combines hard data with human stories—spotlighting the entrepreneurs, workers, and leaders shaping Lafayette’s future. We thank him and the Acadiana Advocate for our valued partnership. Each Monday morning, the Business online newsletter shares Discover Lafayette’s latest podcast news.