When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans five years ago, Louis and Cynthia D’arcourt left the city and their home for a hotel in Texarkana. For a few days, they waited out the devastation for news to determine their next move.
“We saw on the internet that our home and business were destroyed,” says Mr. D’arcourt. “We knew we weren’t going back, and that we needed to find another place to live.”
The D’arcourts’ daughter, who had also left New Orleans, was staying at her mother-in-law’s home in Crowley. She convinced her parents to come to Southwest Louisiana to settle so their family could be closer together.
After a few days of staying in a hotel in Crowley, Mr. and Mrs. D’arcourt drove down to Kaplan. They stopped off at the American Legion, where the Red Cross had set up to help evacuees. The couple met a man there named John Livings, who introduced them to James and Helen Meaux.
“The Meauxs had an unfurnished house for rent,” said Mrs. D’arcourt. “It was a Saturday and the utility companies were closed. But the mayor at the time, Levi Schexnider, was able to get the water and electricity turned on so we could move in the next day.”
The D’arcourts drove back to Crowley and spent that night in a hotel. The next morning, they headed back to Kaplan with the only possessions they had left. They had planned to spend the day shopping for a few items like beds and furniture for their new house, but when they entered it on that Sunday morning, they found a surprise waiting for them.
“The community of Kaplan cleaned and furnished the house for us,” says Mrs. D’arcourt. “We were so overwhelmed by their generosity, and making us feel like we were born in the town and part of the family.”
The D’arcourts eventually bought the house from Meaux siblings, James, Percy and Betty. As the new Kaplan residents re-established their lives, they began searching for a source of income. Mrs. D’arcourt had owned a flower shop in Arabie that was destroyed by the hurricane. But there were already two flower shops in town and she didn’t want to compete.
“Cynthia and I owned and operated two donut shops in New Orleans for twelve years,” says Mr. D’arcourt. “So in 2007, we started making and wholesaling donuts to sell to local grocery stores and businesses.”
In 2009, the D’arcourts opened up Heavenly Bites ‘N Delites on Cushing Avenue. The bakery sells donuts, cookies, brownies, pastries, cannolis, shoe soles, chocolate chip bites, petit fours, apple fritters, éclairs, twists, crème puffs, turnovers and custom cakes including wedding, birthday and anniversary. They also make king cakes year round, which they’ll ship throughout the continental United States.
“The hardest part of this business is that it’s a very physical, non-stop job,” says Mrs. D’arcourt. “The best part is the excitement and joy in people’s faces when they get their product. If you see that excitement, you know that all of the hard work paid off.”
The D’arcourts start baking at anywhere from ten P.M. to midnight. Then they begin making their donuts with the help of their son, Louis D’arcourt Jr. and Mrs. D’arcourt’s brother. The family works through the night, and then through most of the day at the bakery.
“You have to be married to this job to do it,” says Mr. D’arcourt. “If you’re not going to give your life to it, then there’s no reason to open it.”
The D’arcourts invited me to help them make the donuts one morning at 3:00 A.M. But since I have a strict policy of not sweating before sunrise, I declined their offer and asked them to take pictures for me.
I did however visit the D’arcourts at Heavenly Bites. The shop was festively decorated with orange leaves and pumpkins for autumn and Halloween. But my attention was captured by the cases holding freshly baked cookies and pastries. It’s very hard to interview someone when an apple fritter is calling your name.
“October to Mardi Gras is our busy season,” said Mrs. D’arcourt. “The cool weather seems to make people buy desserts.”
Heavenly Bites ‘N Delites bakes their king cakes as opposed to frying them. Mr. D’arcourt says he finds that the baked cakes stay fresh longer, which is important when shipping them.
The D’arcourts let me decorate one of the king cakes. They gave it to me afterwards, as well as another one to share with my friends, co-workers and family. The baking couple will be happy to know that I spread the wealth around Vermilion Parish, and I heard through the grapevine that Timmy Cheek of Kaplan got the piece with the baby.
I wish the D’arcourts the best in their new life and business. I visit the bakery a couple of times a month, and am a big fan of their apple fritters. They’ve always tasted great, but after hearing the story of how the pastries are baked with hard work, commitment, and community and family support, each bite I take in the future will be a heavenly delite.
Heavenly Bites ‘N Delites is located at 116 ½ Cushing Avenue. For products, services and store hours call 337-643-1066.
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