“It’s got good bones,” people often say of an old property rich in story, firm in foundation—just waiting for the right creative eye and nurturing hand to usher it into its next life. It’s a phrase that applies well to Minden, Louisiana—a place with an enduring historic architectural integrity and a legacy of Southern hospitality, combined with an energetic collective of business owners determined to foster a vibrant culture of revitalization in their hometown.
Over the past few years, this movement has been accelerated by features on HGTV’s Home Town Kickstart in 2022 and the Magnolia Network’s In with the Old in late 2023. Celebrating the renovation of historic buildings and public sites on a national scale, these programs have put Minden on the map as a must-see destination for all things Southern charm and old-things-made-new.
Offering the luxury of big city accommodations and experiences, delivered in the surroundings of a tight-knit Southern town—Minden is not only an engaging destination for weekenders, but an increasingly popular option for weddings, group retreats, and meetings.
To meet this growing need, members of the growing hospitality industry in Minden have come together time and again to ensure every visitor leaves “feeling like they’ve found a little slice of home in Minden,” as Serena Gray, the Executive Director of Webster Parish Convention & Visitors Commission, puts it.
“We can offer a really customized experience,” she explained. “You start with one person in town, whether it’s the caterer or the venue or the accommodations, and they’re going to ping you to all the right people, making all the planning and execution really seamless.”
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Huffman House
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Huffman Manor Exterior
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One of the many luxurious rooms in the Huffman Manor
“We always spend time showing our guests the best of Minden. I have lived in literally every major city in the United States, running hotels across our great country, and Minden is where I absolutely choose to be now.” Jim Huffman
Places to Stay in Minden
Hoping to stay in a historic home in the heart of Minden? Huffman House and Huffman Manor Inn—operated by Jim and Kimberly Huffman—offer luxury accommodations surrounded by the grandeur of their century-old properties. The couple lives onsite at Huffman House, ensuring that guests at both sites receive personalized care, including made-to-order breakfast each morning. “We always spend time showing our guests the best of Minden,” said Jim. “I have lived in literally every major city in the United States, running hotels across our great country, and Minden is where I absolutely choose to be now.”
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Sara McDaniel
The Villas at Spanish Court
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Sara McDaniel
The Cottage on Fort
Sara McDaniel
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The Courtyard at Easley Studios
Looking for history with a more modern twist? Make yourself at home at the Villas at Spanish Court, where renovation influencer and blogger Sara McDaniel of Simply Southern Cottage has—with the help of Cottages and Bungalows and American Farmhouse Style magazines—revived a collection of abandoned Spanish-style villas, transforming them into tasteful boutique accommodations brimming with whimsical details and creative design. Reserve individual villas, or take advantage of various custom group packages, which include catering options and access to venues like Kerry and Anne Easley’s Courtyard at Easley Studios—which is walking distance from the Villas. A popular choice for Minden weddings and events for ten years now, the venue offers nearly 2,700 square feet of indoor space and 2,000 square feet in its outdoor New Orleans-style courtyard.
“We’ve had New Orleans couples book weddings here, where they can get all of the ambience of a French Quarter wedding, without the challenges of a big city,” said Kerry.
McDaniel owns three other bed and breakfasts in town, should you be looking for something more intimate, or require more options for overnighters. One of these is the Upper Room loft of the circa-1905 Fuller-White House; McDaniel’s transformative renovation of the historic Victorian-style home was the subject of an episode of In with the Old on the Magnolia Network. The house itself is currently being utilized for what McDaniel describes as “micro gatherings”—small retreats, baby showers, birthday parties.
The best part? The Huffman properties, the Villas, the Courtyard at Easley Studios, and the Fuller-White House are all within walking distance of downtown Minden’s restaurants, coffee shops, and shopping.
“What I’m trying to really drive home to people coming here,” said McDaniel, “is that there’s something really special and restful about coming to stay at a place where you can easily and safely walk to the coffee shop, you can hear the birds chirping, hear the stream rippling by, and just explore a historic Southern downtown.”
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Estate Les Chenes Chapel
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Estate les Chenes
For groups hoping to combine their venue with their overnight accommodations for a more all-inclusive experience—the recently-renovated, circa-1816 Estate Les Chenes easily sleeps twelve and offers a built-in venue with indoor and outdoor spaces (shaded by centuries-old oaks) and an onsite chapel. “It’s just so beautiful out there,” said owner Loreli Lopez. “I really want to invite people to not only have weddings and parties and events, but to just come and experience a weekend or an entire week there. Any type of scenario they’d like, we can make it happen.”
Sara McDaniel
Cottage on Fort
Another option, five minutes outside of town, is Corbeau Creek—a 44-acre complex of venues, gorgeous scenery, and overnight accommodations. Settled as a homestead in the 1800s, the property is rich with history, and has been in owner Rachel Ann Lawler’s family since the 1970s. Future plans include a botanical garden of native species and pollinator beds to complement the historically-significant structures onsite—including a 3,000-square foot salvaged barn, a century-old home, and a log cabin built in the 1700s. Guests can use the property as a quaint escape, or as the site for a grand gathering—Lawler is even dreaming up future festivals to host onsite. “If you can dream it, we can do it,” she said.
The possibilities only expand with the potential for collaboration. Whenever Lawler is hosting a 200+ person event, her overflow gets sent to McDaniel’s properties. When guests are seeking an off-site option for rehearsal dinners, she’ll send them to The Courtyard at Easley Studios. Lawler doesn’t have to look far for catering options—her brother Jessie Waller owns the Minden restaurants Bon Temps and Smokin’ J’s BBQ, and her sister, Jodie Martin, owns the local salad and sandwich shop Geaux Fresh.
“Part of why it all works so well,” said Kerry, “is that everyone is doing different, but complimentary, things. Everything everyone is doing adds to the experience.”
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The Geaux Fresh Team
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Jodie and her family
Places to Eat
Gray attested to this as well, pointing out that Minden’s restaurant scene can meet every level of expectation. Fine diners will find a home at Roma Italian Bistro. Folks wanting something more rustic and Southern can head to Bon Temps, Seafood Empire, or Smokin’ J’s. “And anyone wanting a totally custom menu, that’s where Jodie at Geaux Fresh tends to come in along with dozens of other local caterers who specialize in southern and soul food.”
Featured as one of the inspiring renovation projects on HGTV’s Home Town Kickstart, Geaux Fresh is known for its customized approach to events. “We love themes,” said Martin. “Most of our creativity and contribution comes through food made to complement an event. We’re just a bunch of girls making food, so any excuse to be part of something fancy and over-the-top, we love.”
The quality of what Minden has to offer is beyond question, says Gray. But you can find quality experiences in almost any city, especially here in Louisiana.
“Here in Minden,” she emphasizes, “there’s a different level of passion that each of these business owners brings to the table. Not only are they representing their business, they’re representing their community. And ensuring everyone from the outside falls in love with us, and with our home, too.”
A Simply Southern Saturday
Minden’s culture of collaboration and revitalization will be on full view later this spring, when several business owners will join forces downtown for Simply Southern Saturday on April 27. Celebrating the launch of McDaniel’s newest rug designs, this event promises a brunch by Martin at Geaux Fresh, a market of artisan and food vendors, and tours of historic properties—including McDaniel’s Fuller-White House.
“We’re hoping people who watched the show and want to see the renovation for themselves will come into town,” said McDaniel. “They’ll stay at the local spots, eat at Jodie’s, shop our downtown, explore. Just spend a day with us in Minden.”
And hopefully, they’ll come back—with all their friends in tow.
Explore more of Minden’s offerings at visitwebster.net. For assistance in coordinating a custom experience for your group, contact Serena Gray at (318) 377-4240 or serena@visitwebster.net.
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