By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – With a larger amount of square footage and a more prominent location on Airline Highway in the heart of LaPlace, a new location for wireless phone provider AT&T opens its doors today – one of a handful of new and old businesses engaging in construction in St. John the Baptist Parish.

Terry Daigle Jr., manager for the new LaPlace location, said the new store replaces the old retail outlet on Belle Terre Boulevard near the Wal-Mart shopping center.

“While working on preparations to open the new store we have found that more and more people in the area had no idea where the other location was,” Daigle said. “They would come to our door looking to pay a bill, and we would have to give them directions to the old spot. Since this is the only store serving all three River Parishes, we are hoping to attract a lager client base in the region.”

Daigle said the new store is dubbed an “experience store,” meaning that customers will be allowed hands-on access to many of the newer products being offered.

He said the new building is three times larger than the old location and added that the new store would have additional employees.

The AT&T store is one of four plots of property throughout the parish currently under construction or renovation for parish businesses new and old.

“We are in the midst of a bit of a mini construction boom,” said parish Economic Development Director Torri Buckles.

“It is continuing a trend of new businesses cropping up throughout the parish,” she added.

A few blocks west down Airline Highway from the Percy Hebert Building, extensive exterior work is being done to the old Good Housekeeping furniture store, which closed in 2008.

Buckles said the property was purchased by Garyville funeral director Carl Baloney and his wife, attorney Geri Baloney.

“The complex will house the family’s funeral home, a law office and a reception hall,” Buckles said. “Construction of the front façade and renovation of the interiors is expected to be completed by the beginning of March with an opening date later in the month.”

Buckles said there is also some discussion circulating about the reopening of the River Bend Lanes Bowling Alley in LaPlace, which also shut its doors in 2008.

She said officials with Planning and Zoning confirmed there have been inquiries about obtaining a permit, but added that the inquiry was only to gather information and not to actually apply for a permit.

Signs for the bowling alley state that the building in under renovation and “re-opening soon,” but Buckles said there is little information about plans for the location.

There is also some new construction currently underway in Garyville, where a new truck stop is in the works near the intersection of Airline Highway and Louisiana Highway 54. Buckles said the property would be home to a truck stop, gas station/convenience store and casino. She said the business is expected to open by the end of March or beginning of April, depending on how quickly construction can be completed.