Le CafĂ© Beignet, the coffee shop housed in the old Biloxi Public Library, has its grand opening “NOLA-style” this evening from 5 to 8 p.m., with an outdoor gathering that will include the Blackwater Brass Band, free beignets and mimosas, and door prizes.
The gathering marks a milestone that Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich envisioned months ago when he proposed that the city’s Finance Division be relocated to the downtown Post Office so the historic library could be enjoyed by the public.
Le Cafe’ occupies the second floor of the old Biloxi library and, according to owner and Biloxi native Sita La’Cap, “sets the trend for beignets and a Southern gourmet brunch,” with desserts, beignets, gourmet sandwiches and salads as well as hand-crafted lattes.
The café, which offers outdoor dining on a regular basis, has nearly two dozen employees and is open weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
La’Cap also has plans to open a restaurant on the ground floor of the former library.
See the La Café Facebook page
Gallery: See photos from La Café
Biloxi Shrimping Tour back on the water Saturday
The Betsy Ann, the paddlewheeler that weeks ago began offering dinner and sunset cruises from Point Cadet Marina, will have company on the waters this weekend with the return of the Biloxi Shrimping Tour, which kicks off its spring schedule Saturday.
Capt. Michael Moore reports that the Sailfish will have trips from the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor daily, beginning Saturday, at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and a third trip will be added when the summer schedule launches in mid-March.
Meantime, the Betsy Ann, which is moored between the Golden Nugget and Margaritaville, offers a sunset cruise this evening at 6 and Saturday at 4:30 p.m., with an historical and ecological tour on Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m.
See the Biloxi Shrimping Tour website
See the Betsy Ann Riverboat website
Garbage, trash and recycling: The six-month review
It’s been six months since Biloxi residents began seeing new garbage, trash and recycling service under a new contract with the Harrison County Utility Authority. In this week’s City Desk podcast, Donald Schar, director of the countywide authority, discusses service since the contract began Oct. 1. The City Desk program, recorded this morning at Biloxi City Hall, also features Biloxi Chief Administrative Officer Mike Leonard.
Listen to the City Desk podcast
Work on U.S. 90 pedestrian walkway to begin
Malouf Construction will begin site work Monday on the U.S. 90 pedestrian overpass just west of Caillavet Street, at MGM Park. The first work passing motorists should expect to see in the MDOT project will be the installation of temporary fencing at the work site.
Motorists should expect intermittent lane closures during the project, which is expected to be completed in December.
See diagrams showing the work site
News and notes: Sweetheart dance, weekend preview, council
Sweetheart reminder: The Parks & Recreation Department is holding its fifth annual Daddy-Daughter Sweetheart Dance tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Biloxi Civic Center and the staff is putting on the final touches. To see images of the preparations, click here. To see the flyer, click here.
Weekend preview: Tim Allen will be at the Beau Rivage, Daughtry and Chrisette Michele both perform at the IP, and the Annual Gulf Coast Winter Classics Horse Show continues at the Harrison County Fairgrounds. To see the Biloxi Community Calendar, click here. To see a complete weekend line up, click here.
Council preview: Milton Segarra, the new chief executive officer of the tri-county Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast visitors and convention bureau, will meet the Biloxi City Council on Tuesday afternoon during the council’s 1:30 p.m. Also scheduled: Tim Bennett with Overtime Sports who is scheduled to discuss Conference USA baseball championship plans at MGM Park. The council faces a nine-page agenda of issues. To see the complete agenda and supporting documents, click here.
