The deal to land a Buc-ee’s store in Lafayette is the top business story of 2024.
Adam Daigle, business editor with The Acadiana Advocate, compiled his top five stories of the year along with a top business person of the year in a conversation with Jan Swift of the Discover Lafayette podcast.
You can listen to their conversation here.
Buc-ee’s, which made its Lafayette plans official last week, made the news this year when it got Lafayette Consolidated Government to sign off on provisions of the deal, including the creation of an economic development sub-district that includes only the store.
The hugely popular convenience store had been interested in the Lafayette market for some time, and construction is expected to begin in the spring with a completion date set for mid-2026.
Other top stories of the year were death of Acadian Companies co-founder and longtime CEO Richard Zuschlag, the opening of the Superior Grill in Lafayette, the announcement of an 84-room hotel to be built in downtown Lafayette and the bankruptcy filing and official ending of what was originally known as Waitr.
Jet Coffee co-owner John Tommasini, who earlier this year opened two locations in Lafayette and has plans to expand his brand across south Louisiana, was named Business Catalyst of the Year.