The deal to open a Buc-ee’s store in Lafayette is the biggest business story of 2024.
Acadiana Advocate business editor Adam Daigle summarized this year’s top five stories and this year’s top business people in conversation with Jan Swift on the Discover Lafayette podcast.
You can listen to their conversation here.
Buc-ee’s, which officially announced its plans for Lafayette last week, made news this year after receiving approval from the Lafayette Consolidated Government for terms of the deal, including the creation of an economic development sub-district that would include just the store.
The highly popular convenience store has long been interested in the Lafayette market, and construction is expected to begin in the spring, with a completion date set for mid-2026.
Other top news of the year included the death of Acadian Companies co-founder and longtime CEO Richard Zuschlag, the opening of Superior Grill in Lafayette, the announcement of an 84-room hotel to be built in downtown Lafayette; That included filing for bankruptcy and officially ending it. It was originally known as Waitr.
John Tommasini, co-owner of Jet Coffee, which opened two stores in Lafayette earlier this year and plans to expand the brand throughout south Louisiana, has been named this year’s Business Catalyst.
