LaPlace

Brandon Mabile owns one of the few restaurants in LaPlace. He's lived here his entire life and Mabile's Restaurant has been family-owned for 40 years. "LaPlace is just a small homey town – it's all about community – everyone is here to help each other," he says. His customers are regular. They mostly come in from their work breaks at the chemical plants to buy roast beef and Po'boys. "We've got in this area probably six or eight chemical plants. It's been that way forever," he adds. "That is what made this small town. About 75% of the people who live here work at them." Mabile says beyond just loving the community here, he enjoy being by the water and 15-miles from New Orleans. These days, community is online and in person. Though LaPlace may feel small to Mabile, over 30,000 people live here, and 15,000 follow LaPlace Talk on Facebook and share local updates. Some have businesses from home and market their goods online, including shrimp they caught that day. Residents donate baby clothes to new parents. And if a beloved cat goes missing, everyone knows. Local events are also always posted. One of the biggest is Mardi Gras. The parade has a regular route along the river each February and the whole community shows up. The joy of living near Louisiana waters shows up in local businesses like Cajun Pride Swamp Tours on Frenier Road. This privately owned wildlife refuge offers guided journeys past alligators through moss-draped swampland. Nearby, there's the Maurepas Wildlife Trail – a rustic, heavily wooded 1-mile out-and-back trail off Interstate 55. Next door on Dottie Lane, locals can dine on the water at Frenier Landing Restaurant and Oyster Bar along Lake Pontchartrain. This 630 square mile lake borders LaPlace to the east. Locals crab and fish there as the Mississippi River is mainly used for industrial purposes. At the heart of LaPlace, the 126-acre Riverlands Golf and Country Club is open year-round on Fairway Drive. Mabile's Restaurant is along West Airline Highway, which cuts through LaPlace. Riverlands Shopping Center is along this same route, with a local grocery store, Mathern's Market, and apparel stores like Shoe Lovers and Rainbow Shops for women's clothing. There's also an Aldi's along the highway, a few other commercial spots and local restaurants, and Ochsner Medical Center for primary care services. When people find homes in LaPlace, they stay a long time. "Generations have lived here because of the plants," Mabile says. Some, like those on Lake Vista Drive, reflect new brick traditionals surrounded by palm trees. Others are simple ranch styles and cottages on more typical suburban streets with pines and oaks. There are also a few outlier log cabins in LaPlace and mobile homes on Chickadee Street. "It's a mixed bag architecturally," says local Realtor Alison Andrews with EXP Realty. "There's a lot of remodeled homes. LaPlace was hit by Hurricane Ida, and then before that, Katrina and Isaac. Homes were hurt by that, but now they've been rehabbed." Prices begin at $100,000 for a home still needing renovation or a mobile home. They mostly range in the $200,000s otherwise and currently spend 71 days on the market. Laplace Elementary/Middle School is on Greenwood Drive. It's within the St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools district, as is East St. John High School, where students take their next steps. Both schools are rated C minus by Niche. The high school fosters a college preparatory environment that encourages students to be lifelong learners. There are several private school options, including St. Charles Catholic High School and Riverside Academy. They are outside the neighborhood. The high school is on Dominican Road and the academy is 8 miles away via Louisiana 44 East. Many get around in their cars here, but The River Parish Transit Authority serves the area, offering 10 to 12 curb-to-curb passenger buses that are wheelchair accessible. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International is 20 miles west along Interstate 10. The over 400-mile U.S. Route 51 travels through LaPlace, making it a well-connected home ground.