LSU student makes petition for Cherrybomb Coffee to move away from Highland Coffees

quote:

---

A petition created on Tuesday is calling for the relocation of Cherrybomb Coffee Co.’s coffee truck due to its proximity to and perceived negative effect on Highland Coffees, according to its creator and supporters.

Timothy Murphy, a master’s student at LSU, started the Change.org petition because he considers Highland Coffees to be a Baton Rouge staple that needs to be preserved. West Chimes Street is an area where businesses have historically struggled, yet Highland Coffees has been around for over 35 years.

“Highland Coffees is the oldest business on West Chimes Street, located in the second-oldest business district in Baton Rouge,” Murphy said. “It serves as a unique space in the neighborhood that has allowed me to meet and connect with people from a wide range of backgrounds.”

Murphy has been going to Highland Coffees since middle school, which is why this is important to him. He said it’s “essential to keep people informed about the history of the neighborhood” and the role Highland Coffees has played in Baton Rouge.

The petition urges Cherrybomb to relocate because of its “unfair competition” and “undue advantage” that “undermines [the] legacy and threatens the economic health of Highland Coffee.”

“The purpose of this petition is to bring attention to the broader situation,” Murphy said. “While I support other small businesses and coffee shops, I believe it is important for neighborhood businesses to support one another.”

That same belief is held among some Highland Coffees staff. Megan Eisert, an LSU film and television senior, works at Highland Coffees. Eisert said she understands Cherrybomb, from one small coffee shop to another.

On the other hand, Eisert said Highland Coffees has seen an increase in the number of people who visit the shop and use its WiFi while sipping on Cherrybomb drinks, “which is difficult for us to handle as employees who can’t allow that but don’t want to cause a fuss.”

“As someone who works at a small business, I understand that Cherrybomb is also a small business trying [to] stay afloat,” Eisert said. “I really wish for the success of the business – I just wish they weren’t stealing that business from us, another small coffee shop in Baton Rouge.”

The online petition, signed by 397 people as of Sunday afternoon, leaves the decision up to Cherrybomb. Owner Noah McLain said he and his team “acknowledge and respect the legacy of Highland Coffees.” That’s why Cherrybomb decided to rent a concrete slab to set up in an on-the-go way as opposed to leasing a vacant storefront, he said.

“We are focused on serving up excitement from our quick service, walk-up concept,” McLain said. “We believe there is a large enough community here to support two, albeit different, coffee offerings and recognize the strong following for Highland Coffees.”

McLain also said Cherrybomb has been looking for a Baton Rouge location for almost two years because “the market has been calling us here.” In having two coffee offerings on West Chimes Street, he thinks they’re serving different demographics while also bringing more people to the area.

Jordan Basham, known as the face of @wheretogeaux225 on Instagram, posted an Instagram reel about Cherrybomb’s arrival in Baton Rouge. She was met with mixed comments; some were eager to try it themselves, while others questioned its spot.

Basham saw both sides. The location was questionable to her at first, but said because of the “different crowd, different vibe,” she thinks it works.

“Nobody’s saying you shouldn’t support Highland Coffees – it’s a great spot and a true staple in the community,” Basham wrote in an Instagram comment. “I’m personally there several times a month. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for more than one coffee shop. Supporting something new doesn’t take away from what’s already loved.”

Despite the recent backlash, McLain remains committed to “bringing excitement to West Chimes” by serving the community with the Cherrybomb experience.

“We have been overwhelmed by the positive outpouring of Baton Rouge and are bringing more coffee drinkers to the North Gates area,” McLain said. “We respectfully oppose the petition to have us relocate from West Chimes.”

---