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LUTCHER — Hazel and Johnny “Bull” Bowser are surely smiling down from heaven at the reopening of H&B’s Sweet Shop, a multi-generational family-owned business that has been adored by the Lutcher community for generations.
Located at 2354 N. Courseault Street in Lutcher, H&B’s Sweet Shop opened in 1980 out of love for the neighborhood children. The front yard was often packed with kids playing without a care in the world, and the menu was priced so they could afford whatever sweets their little hearts desired. Even if they didn’t have any money, Hazel made sure no child left H&B’s empty-handed.
Meanwhile, customers of all ages would come from far and wide for a taste of Hazel’s frozen cups and homemade chili.
The Sweet Shop was passed down to Hazel and Bull’s daughter, Catherine Poche, who still owns the business today.
Catherine had to close H&B’s Sweet Shop to take care of her mother when she fell ill. Now that her parents have passed, Catherine decided to reopen the Sweet Shop this past summer to keep their legacy alive.
“Being able to carry on my mom’s name is an honor. Just to know that everybody still loves H&B fulfills my heart. It’s a great feeling,” Catherine said.
Since the reopening in July, Catherine’s son Donovan Michael has run the Sweet Shop along with his cousin, Donquelle Davis.
Donovan has fond childhood memories of H&B’s Sweet Shop. It was a place to spend time with his grandparents and also a place to stock up on Halloween candy without having to go door-to-door trick-or-treating.
Donovan’s face lit up as a new sign was added to the side of the shop, dedicating it in loving memory of Hazel and Johnny “Bull” Bowser. Moving forward, he would like to hang a photo of his grandparents on the wall as a reminder that they started the traditions the H&B’s family holds so dear.
The world has shifted a lot over the past 40-plus years, but some things remain unchanged. H&B’s Sweet Shop is built on heart, and the menu still includes low-priced nachos, hot dogs and an assortment of snacks and candies for neighborhood children.
Catherine wants to continue the tradition of reaching out to young people in the community. Hazel was a very spiritual woman, and the neighborhood children were always excited to visit her and learn about the Bible.
Other traditions can be found in recipes that have been passed from generation to generation.
“When you said you were going to H&B’s, everyone knew what it was,” Catherine said. “Still, when you say that name, everyone knows H&B’s Sweet Shop. I still use the chili recipe that my mom used. We have the frozen cups. Everyone wants to know how I get my frozen cups so soft, like a snowball.”
H&B’s Sweet Shop business hours are 1 to 8 p.m., though the shop may open earlier or stay open later, depending on the day. For more information, find H&B’s Sweet Shop on Facebook, visit h-bs-sweet-shop.business.site or call 225-623-7509.