News Summary
Sunshine Health Market & Cafe and Bon Lagniappe in Shreveport, LA, are set to permanently close due to mounting challenges for small businesses. Sunshine Health Market, a 50-year staple known for its organic products, will shut its doors on August 31, while Bon Lagniappe, an arts shop that opened in 2024, also faces closure. Both owners cite increasing costs and competition as key obstacles to sustainability in a rapidly changing retail environment.
Shreveport, LA – Two local businesses, Sunshine Health Market & Cafe and Bon Lagniappe, have announced their permanent closure amid the increasing challenges faced by small businesses nationwide. Sunshine Health Market, known for its organic and locally sourced products, will wind down operations on August 31, 2025, while Bon Lagniappe, an arts and gift shop, will also shut its doors following a short tenure since its opening in September 2024.
Sunshine Health Market, located in the Southfield Shopping Center at 5751 Youree Drive, has been a community staple for over 50 years. The store showcased a variety of organic produce, herbal supplements, and natural home and body products but will soon display an “Available” sign on its window as it prepares for its final days. Owner Jordan Willoughby, who purchased the business in July 2019, has been vocal about the difficulties posed by rising costs, sharp reductions in profit margins, and fierce competition from online retailers and larger grocery chains.
Bon Lagniappe, found at 750 Southfield Road, specialized in offering a platform for local artists and hosted creative paint parties. Owned by Celia Carr, the store struggled to gain traction since its opening and is now facing the same fate as Sunshine Health Market. Carr attempted to pivot her business strategy by leveraging social media for marketing purposes and partnering with local nonprofits for fundraising. Despite these attempts, the strategies proved insufficient in sustaining her venture.
Both businesses are part of a sobering trend predicted for 2023, with approximately 595,000 small businesses projected to close across the United States. The rate of business closures is particularly alarming, with about 22% of small businesses failing within their first year and 65% by their tenth year. These figures illustrate the harsh reality for many entrepreneurs trying to thrive in a rapidly evolving retail environment.
Willoughby faced significant challenges, notably the monthly rent of $12,000, which placed substantial pressure on her ability to operate effectively. To maintain relevance amid rising competition from Whole Foods and online giants like Amazon, Willoughby made efforts to highlight local products in her store. She emphasized that the community experience of a local marketplace cannot be replicated by larger retailers.
Conversely, Carr’s aspirations for Bon Lagniappe suffered, not least because she failed to secure a small business loan due to recent regulatory changes. These regulations mandated that businesses must be operational for at least six months and demonstrate $50,000 in sales to qualify for funding. Carr also explored resizing her store to focus primarily on paint parties as a strategy for business viability, although this plan did not come to fruition.
As both owners liquidate their inventory ahead of their closures, they reflect on their journeys and express gratitude to their customers. Willoughby conveyed a heartfelt message to her patrons, emphasizing the importance of supporting local businesses during trying times. The announcements regarding these closures not only impact the owners and their employees but also represent a broader trend of small businesses grappling with significant challenges across the country.
With the last day of operation for Sunshine Health Market & Cafe scheduled for August 31, 2025, the community is invited to take note of the importance of local shopping and to consider the challenges that small businesses face daily. The closure of both Sunshine Health Market and Bon Lagniappe serves as a reminder of the fragility of small businesses and the vital role they play in the local economy.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Speaker Mike Johnson Engages with Louisiana Constituents
Dutch Bros Coffee Set to Open First Location in Shreveport
Dutch Bros Coffee to Open First Location in Shreveport
Target Stores in Louisiana Will Remain Open Amid Rumors
Concerns Rise Over Delays in Shreveport Hotel Construction
Delays Plague SpringHill Suites Hotel Construction in Shreveport
Significant Delays Continue for SpringHill Suites in Shreveport
Goodwill Industries Hosts Job Fair in Shreveport
Delays Continue for SpringHill Suites Construction in Shreveport
Knight Street Reconstruction to Begin Soon in Shreveport
Additional Resources
- Shreveport Bossier Advocate
- Google Search: small business closures USA
- Shreveport Times – Sunshine Health Market
- Google Scholar: impact of small business closures
- K945 – Sunshine Health Market Closing
- Encyclopedia Britannica: small business challenges
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
