Courtesy of La Divina
La Divina founder, Lance LeBlanc
Community comes first for Mary and Lance LeBlanc, owners of La Divina Italian Cafe, a quaint gelato and espresso bar nestled right off of Perkins Road in Baton Rouge. Since opening the doors in 2013, La Divina has been well known for serving unique gelato flavors such as fig-mascarpone and Guinness chocolate cake, mouth-watering paninis, and the beloved French onion soup. But the eatery has also become a cherished local gathering place. The concept originated in New Orleans, before the LeBlancs decided to bring the establishment to the capital city out of a desire to introduce something new and distinctive.
Courtesy of La Divina
The Cafe’s evolution into a community hub took an unexpected turn when one of their baristas, a musician, proposed the idea of live music in an effort to draw in more people during the evenings, a time when most people have had enough caffeine for the day. The owners were skeptical, concerned about their somewhat limited space, but they took the chance and La Divina has since blossomed into one of the most prominent, and most intimate, venues for local live entertainment.
The live music nights have become one of Mary’s favorite elements of the business. She curates the acts for Thursday nights, while every Friday night La Divina passionately encourages and supports young musicians through their “Original Music Group,” which provides an opportunity for anyone to showcase their original compositions. Meanwhile her husband Lance, a visual artist, exhibits a different local artist throughout the cafe every sixty days. Each time a new artist is displayed, La Divina hosts an evening for the artist to be seen and heard, to answer questions, and to discuss their creations.
All small businesses face challenges, but Mary attributes resilience as the key to La Divina’s longevity in Baton Rouge. She says, “We’re a canoe, not the Titanic, and when icebergs fall into our way, we can paddle around.” The live music nights tradition, spanning over eight years, not only attracts new patrons and provides a platform for local talent, but offers Mary and Lance an avenue to understand and embrace what their customers desire. Particularly during the challenging time of the COVID–19 pandemic, the community rallied behind La Divina, ensuring the survival of this beloved local establishment. In celebration of its tenth anniversary, the team at La Divina focused on giving back, hosting a week of hourly prize drawings, free gelato giveaways, raffles, an extended schedule, and complimentary drinks for musicians.
Courtesy of La Divina
In a true endeavor to support the community, La Divina is committed to local sourcing. Their milk comes from Feliciana Farms, and their ciabatta is sourced from a bakery in Baton Rouge. The emphasis on local, scratch-made cuisine remains at the core of their identity, and looking to the future, La Divina plans to expand its offerings, especially in the world of wine. The cafe stands as a testament to adaptability, loyalty to local values, and a gem in Baton Rouge offering not just sorbet-mimosas but a rich tapestry of art, music, and community connections.
