Released by Frank Randol on November 16, 2023
LAFAYETTE, LA – If you were to ask Frank Randol on November 21st, 2021, the day he closed the doors to Randol’s Restaurant & Dance Hall and Randol’s Seafood processing plant, that he would be in the place he is today… he would have politely said you were crazy.
He also wouldn’t have believed that the sale of his 3.7-acre Kaliste Saloom location would turn around and give him the exact same acreage with the purchase of the Mulate’s building. On November 15th, Frank & Kathy Randol officially closed on the two remaining acres of the four-acre property, which provides enough land to facilitate all of Randol’s Operations: Randol’s Restaurant & Dance hall, a seafood market as well as another project in the works that you will have to see to believe!
Getting back into the industry wasn’t a choice for Frank; as he will say, it was ‘a predestined venture’, that he believes had been set in motion long ago. The sale of the Kaliste Saloom acreage, after fifty years in business, was likely part of this predetermined plan, as well. Randol didn’t know what he would do next, but he knew he wasn’t through. He had a feeling an offer on the land would happen out of the blue, and that it did. On November 21st, 2021, an offer was made on the Kaliste Saloom property. The deal was over and done within fifteen minutes.
Frank always says, “God’s plan, I’m a lucky man,” and low and behold, just shy of 2 years since those doors closed, another set of doors open. Awakening that spark to reignite a piece of history that Breaux Bridge thought had been gone forever.
Acquiring the four-acre Mulate’s property created an opportunity to continue to support Louisiana’s tourism industry and, more importantly, support Cajun Country and the heritage that makes Acadiana as unique as it is. An opportunity for this ‘story’ to tell itself. An opportunity to rekindle memories of past outings, learn how to ‘2step’ by standing on your Paw-Paws feet, or learn how to peel crawfish … not to mention the literal bus loads of tourists and out-of-towners that showed up regularly… just to experience ‘the story’ that this building has to tell. The original success of this place stems from the preservation and celebration of all South Louisiana has to offer to the world. The Food. The Music. The Culture. An experience that far surpasses the food. An experience that went international and attracted people from right here in Acadiana and all over the world.
This ‘fate’ Frank Randol encountered in acquiring the property was not only an opportunity, but it became an obligation. An obligation to keep our heritage thriving for generations to come. As he always says, “I’m not done yet!” And that quote couldn’t be any truer than the pivotal moment he is in.
With everything people are telling him, it’s all been… ‘Open, open, OPEN already!’ There are a few projects/additions in the works that the team can’t wait to embark on, which Randol guarantees that locals and tourists alike will be thrilled at what is to come!
“Randol’s” may have taken a break, so to speak, but it never shut down. They never threw in the towel. They never gave up. Rather, reconvened, focused on the goals in sight, and hit the ground running!
“Whatever I do isn’t so much to make money; it’s a challenge. The fun is taking something and making it work.” – Frank Randol
Randol’s is anticipating to open at the start of the New Year. Stay tuned.
