Rayville’s blossoming businesses:
A season of growth and new beginnings
As spring breathes new life into the landscape, Rayville is witnessing its own season of growth with the emergence of exciting new businesses.
From bold flavors to faith-inspired fashion and collaborative creativity, these ventures are bringing vibrancy and promise to the community.
Bootlegger’s Bistro Food Truck: A bold and flavorful start Bootlegger’s Bistro Food Truck celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Richland Parish Chamber of Commerce on April 1.
The food truck, located at 111 Bennedette Street, offers a farm-to-table dining experience that highlights fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Owners Macy and Josh Rawls, along with their California-born business partner Yaniss Lopez, aim to combine their farm’s produce—such as kale, tomatoes, and peppers—with globally inspired flavors to create a dynamic menu.
Macy shared their vision: “When our tomatoes come out of the hothouse, we’ll serve BLTs. We want everything to be fresh and local. We want our menu to be fresh and local. We’ll incorporate products from as many local farms as we can to basically represent northeast Louisiana as we strive for a creative and adaptive menu.”
Customers like Megan Payne appreciate the personal touches, like key lime mini-cheesecakes made by her daughter Katherine.
Megan reflected, “We look forward to all the new opportunities for food that are coming to Rayville.”
Equipt Christian Boutique: Inspiring faith and fashion
Just a few weeks before Bootlegger’s Bistro debuted, Equipt Christian Boutique opened its doors on March 8 at 810 Julia Street.
Owned by Bridgit and Wade Murphy, alongside Chelsea and Tyler Higginbotham, this boutique offers faith-based apparel, custom Bibles, accessories, and décor.
Guests are greeted with worship music, warm smiles from team members Katie Thomas and Connie Creamer, and an atmosphere of comfort and encouragement.
The boutique has already become a hub for the community.
“This isn’t just a boutique -- it’s a place to grow in faith together,” the owners shared.
With extended hours throughout the week, Equipt is ready to welcome all who seek meaningful items for themselves or loved ones.
A collaborative space: Old Charm Café and Twisted Creations Ice Cream
In February, Old Charm Café & Bakery Marketshops joined forces with Twisted Creations Ice Cream & More, creating a unique blend of treats and retail. Located at 814 Julia Street, this space combines freshly baked breads, breakfast and lunch options, and Blue Bell ice cream sundaes with an array of vendor and consignment goods.
Old Charm’s owner, Skeeter Shows, who moved to Richland Parish six years ago, reflects a commitment to community in every aspect of the café and market. Partnering with Landra Keys of Twisted Creations has added a whimsical twist, offering cookies, shakes, and more to patrons who can shop or dine in a welcoming environment.
A bright future for Rayville
Richland Parish Chamber of Commerce President Scott Franklin remarked on the town’s progress.
“This is probably the best time in our history to start a new business,” Franklin said. “The future holds such potential for our community and future generations.”
With a season of blooming businesses, Rayville continues to grow, embracing creativity, collaboration, and community spirit. Whether grabbing a farmfresh taco, shopping for faith-inspired apparel, or enjoying a gourmet sundae, there’s something for everyone in this thriving town.
