The location of the old CC’s Cafe on 106 S State Street holds more than just memories of fried porkchops and sliced ham sandwiches-although those are certainly memorable-but the cafe holds the art of conversation within its walls. Municipalities, local dignitaries, community members, and stakeholders would gather within the once greasy walls to discuss politics and the latest gossip and hash out details and plans for doing something, anything to keep Abbeville thriving.

While the decor has changed into an open-aired, exposed-brick fancy eatery with a walnut wood finish, bright open kitchen and stained cement floors, the pure enjoyment of gathering and talking, talking, talking has not. Opened for private events only (for now), the Nehemiah Projects of Acadiana Inc. vowed to invest in community revitalization. That commitment to Abbeville has manifested itself in the downtown area to provide workforce opportunities through the restaurant space now named Nehemiah’s Cafe on State.

During the Rotary Club breakfast meeting, members and guests of the Abbeville Rotary Club including Mayor Roslyn White, enjoyed a breakfast cooked by returned Abbeville resident Clay Decuire and the Abbeville High ProStart Culinary team under program instructor Devon Romero. The voices echoed of coffee and conversation and the room was filled with the excited possibility of having more to love about our downton area. The Cafe on State will become a public restaurant in the near future and house the ProStart living kitchen where students can earn hours towards their certification in culinary arts, which according to Jumpstart/CTE Supervisor Lonnie Richard falls into the Hospitality Tourism Pathway. “Abbeville High School is one of only two regional ProStart programs in this area, " stated Romero, “I am honored to train these amazing kids who now have a passion for cooking and showcasing their talent.”

As part of an effort to support Vermilion Economic Development Alliance and South Louisiana Community College, the Nehemiah Projects has plans to expand workforce and education opportunities including the culinary teaching space along with offering their office and storefront space to student entrepreneurs and Master’s in the field of IT, Construction, STEM and local Manufacturing Pathways.

Lauren Trahan, NPAI’s Executive Director noted that their Board of Directors regularly discusses the importance of keeping the integrity of the cafe as one that will give the community back the breakfast space they used to gather in to debate and to dream and to remember what makes this community special. The investment that Nehemiah is making is in the next generation the students and young adults that will keep the ball rolling as they don their chef coats and hair nets and put their hands to frying eggs and making plates of delicious items while patrons’ voices echo plans for doing something, anything to keep Abbeville thriving.