Real estate recap: New B.R. Galatoire's groundbreaking Wednesday … Uncle O's moving into former Brewbacher's on Sherwood … EBR flood maps go into effect June 19

From the Baton Rouge Business Report:

Fire it up: A groundbreaking celebration for the new Galatoire's Bistro location, at the corner of Perkins Road and Acadian Thruway, will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Guests will get a sneak peek of the new restaurant, enjoy samples of Galatoire's signature cuisine and hear from speakers including Galatoire's lead investor John Georges, Commercial Properties Realty Trust executives and Mayor Kip Holden. The restaurant, scheduled to open in December, will include a bar, private dining space and an outdoor dining area.

Down the road: Local lunch spot Uncle O's Café Gumbo and Seafood is set to move from its familiar location near the corner of South Harrell's Ferry and Millerville roads and into a space at 3410 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd., formerly home to Brewbacher's Grill, owner Ouncy Borne says. With hopes of having the new location open by July, Borne says he decided to relocate to avoid traffic congestion and construction in the area, which he says was affecting sales. "Eventually I just got fed up and decided it was time to go," he says. Borne intends to serve alcohol in addition to his usual south Louisiana fare at the new location, but does not expect to extend operations past "regular restaurant hours." Before closing in November 2010, Brewbacher's had operated at the South Sherwood site for 18 years.

Are you ready? East Baton Rouge Parish homeowners, business owners and renters who do not have flood insurance are being encouraged to buy coverage before new flood insurance rate maps go into effect June 19, in order to get the best possible premiums. You can see the new flood map here. Kyle Jones, chief of staff for the Mayor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says flooding can sometimes occur outside the mapped floodplain. So, while many residents are required by mortgage and lending companies to carry flood insurance, Jones encourages all residents to purchase flood insurance, as the floodplain is ever changing. Learn more at the city-parish's Red Stick Ready website here.