Sorting out the situation at Highland Coffees

The future of Highland Coffees is in doubt. On Monday morning, the Business Report broke the story that property owner Hank Saurage did not renew the local coffee shop’s lease. In the Business Report story, store owner Clarke Cadzow said he does not want to shutter the business he founded and has operated since 1989, but has no choice. Initial reports suggested a full-service restaurant would take the place of Highland Coffees. Saurage described the new venture as a “little different than your typical burger and wings joint.” Cadzow also told Business Report that he hoped to relocate the coffee shop to a nearby space in the north gates neighborhood.

As word got out, patrons rallied behind the 25-year-old coffee shop that is considered a staple along the north gates of LSU’s campus. One of those patrons, Peter Jenkins, started a petition through change.org just hours after the news was released.

By 5 p.m. Wednesday, the petition had more than 5,000 signatures. Later that night, Jenkins and seven others organized an event at the LSU amphitheatre for community members to get involved and try to save Highland Coffees.

However, on Tuesday, Saurage told Business Report he wants to discuss options about the coffee shop.
“We are willing to reopen these negotiations with Clarke [Cadzow], and we are hopeful his loyal customers will understand we need their support as well,” he says.

Cadzow told Country Roads Magazine Wednesday morning that no representative from Saurage’s real estate firm Saurage Rotenberg had contacted him. Jenkins was also not as optimistic when hearing word of Saurage’s change of heart.

“We are sure if the lease agreement is fair for Clarke Cadzow and Hank Saurage, then Highland Coffees can continue to thrive in its location,” Jenkins says. “We are still operating and organizing under the banner that it could close.”

If closed, Highland Coffees will be gone at the end of December, and a block that was once ripe with local businesses will have a “burger and wing” joint to compete with Louie’s, The Chimes, Buffalo Wild Wings and Five Guys. Jenkins doesn’t see the next establishment being as successful as its predecessor.

“There are enough burger, wings and full-service restaurants around that area,” he says. “I don’t see how another one would be able to be successful. The other day, I was at Highland Coffees, and I wanted a burger, and I walked around the corner to Five Guys. There are a lot of options for me. But Highland Coffees is my place to get really good coffee and cake. That’s what I look forward to.”

Calls placed to Cadzow and Saurage were not immediately returned.

For more information on Highland Coffees, visit highlandcoffeesbr.com or call 336-9771.