Holy guacamole! We’re not at Tula Tacos for this edition of Out to Lunch Acadiana. We’re a few blocks down Jefferson Street, at Amis Grocery store.

If you’ve followed Downtown Lafayette development over the last few years, that’s kind of a big deal. There’s always been this chicken and egg kind of thing happening with residential development and grocery stores Downtown. Developers wouldn’t build apartments because there wasn’t a grocery store. And grocery stores wouldn’t come because there weren’t people living here.

Into that quagmire stepped Christiaan’s lunch guests, Bradley Cruice and Rachel Brown, who opened their first grocery store: The Handy Stop in 2020. It had a good run but ultimately closed in 2022.

Rachel Brown is both Principal at Lafayette High and a full partner in Amis Grocery

Bradley and Rachel did not stay out of the game long. They’re back with Amis Grocery. It’s a pared down shop. Looking around, it’s got upscale bodega vibes. You can grab a deli sandwich or some home goods.

And the timing this time seems better. Downtown has enjoyed a good bit of residential development since Bradley and Rachel’s first stab at a Downtown grocery store.

Bradley Cruice, groceries are in his DNA

Bradley grew up in the grocery business. His family operated a store in the New Orleans area. Bradley is a registered nurse and has been heavily involved in community health initiatives.

Rachel Brown is actually Dr. Brown: the principal of Lafayette High School. She was a not-so-silent investor in the Handy Stop, where she fell in love with the grocery game. Dr. Brown is also a sign language instructor and interpreter.

Out to Lunch was recorded live over a deli lunch at Amis Grocery. We also sampled the freeze dried ice cream sandwiches from local company, Freeze Dat. And there’s more to explore. Next time you’re downtown drop by, and tell Bradley Out to Lunch sent you.