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Conventional thinking has said high traffic areas are where one should locate a new business. Darryl Johnson has said conventional thinking is not always the best route to follow.
For more than 20 years, Johnson has operated catering and food services, as well as restaurants in Baton Rouge. Now he is expanding his family-style eatery to Houma.
“I like to locate in places where there is need, and there is a need for restaurants like mine in [east] Houma,” Johnson said.
Bayou D Jon’s is expected to open for business Oct. 18 at 9892 E. Main St. Like Johnson’s three additional D Jon’s restaurants, this dining establishment will feature a lunch buffet as well as mid-day and dinner menus. A Sunday brunch is offered and prices throughout the week range between $9.95 and $12.95 for adult portion meals. Discounts are offered for children.
The location for Bayou D Jon’s, which has a history of housing restaurants, offers 4,000 square feet of space and will seat approximately 150 people.
Johnson describes his menu as ranging from soul food to seafood.
“We’ve been courting these guys since last October and now they are ready to go,” Terrebonne Economic Development Authority CEO Steve Vassallo said.
The TEDA executive said Johnson’s restaurant was one location a group of Houma business leaders approached while on a 2011 recruiting trip to Baton Rouge.
“I’ve eaten at his place and thought it would be an ideal addition for us,” Vassallo said.
“I have some regular customers in Baton Rouge that said they would like it if I came down to Houma,” Johnson said.
This business will create approximately 20 job opportunities according to the owner.
“I’m excited,” Terrebonne Parish Councilman John Navy said. “We don’t have a lot of family restaurants on the east side. I think this is a good addition and people will support it.”
“This is not just a start-up,” Vassallo said. “This guy knows what he is doing.”
“There is already a lot of full-restaurant activity on the west side,” Johnson said. “I’m glad we found this location. I feel good about it.”
Having been the location for previous restaurants, property at 9892 E. Main St., near the Houma-Terrebonne Airport will open Oct. 18 as Bayou D Jons. The family-style eatery will feature a lunch buffet and Sunday brunch, built around a menu ranging from soul food to seafood.
