By Chaney Ferguson
Editor, The Times
When Josh Rogers envisioned The Landing he wanted it to be a place for families. He set out to create a restaurant like none other in the lake area.It was almost five years ago when Rogers came to Lake Charles to operate O’Charley’s. Around that same time was when he fell in love with the building that is now The Landing.
“The building is amazing, it is so unique, one of a kind with the brick and wood and the waterfront. It was just like nothing else you could find anywhere,” said Rogers.
He remembers saying he had to get hold of this building when he saw all the potential. It is easy to imagine families coming in from the water for a delicious meal.
“The reason I opened this restaurant is the building and the scenery did everything for me. I came in and said ‘what do I want and how is this going to happen?’” said Rogers.
His goal was to have a restaurant with great food, reasonable prices and be kid friendly.
Rogers also wanted to have a family oriented menu that allowed for finer foods and wines. “I chose things you couldn’t get anywhere else, like marinated duck breast and New Zealand lamb. Things you typically can’t get when you have kids around. That was the idea behind it.”
The Landing offers an extensive wine list with wines ranging from very expensive to more affordable.
“We tried to make the atmosphere fun for the family, friendly, and affordable, but with some really unique items. Some creations are all my own, that you just can’t find anywhere else, like shrimp and okra hushpuppies or crab fondue. When you look through the menu you say ‘wow these are some really cool things I’ve never heard of.’”
In addition to the new creations, Rogers also brought back a few of the old classics like fried green tomatoes, New Orleans style BBQ shrimp, and other flavors of Louisiana.
Rogers grew up watching his dad work in the restaurant business and Rogers himself has worked all through Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana picking up local flavors and honing his skills.
Rogers’ hometown is Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where he watched his dad operate several Western Sizzlin restaurants.
“It sort of inspired me as a child. I started working at Shipley Do-Nuts when I was 14, mopping floors everyday and getting paid $50 a week.”
He moved up from mopping floors when he started working for a series of locally owned businesses before moving into work with a corporation.
“I worked for Brinker International which is Chili’s Restaurant for about two and a half years before I was recruited by O’Charley’s. I’ve been in restaurants everywhere from Lake Charles, Louisiana to Jacksonville, Florida and everywhere in between.”
Prior to The Landing, he worked for O’Charley’s for about ten years. The past four years were spent here at the Lake Charles franchise where he spent much of his time giving back to the community.
Rogers is very involved in local civic organizations and he enjoys taking advantage of all the opportunities he has had to help the area. He sits on the board for Contraband Days, and a member of the Better Business Bureau and the Lake Charles rotary club. He was citizen of the year in 2008, and a graduate of the chamber leadership committee.
When he was at O’Charley’s, he worked with area schools providing spaghetti dinners or hosting St. Louis soccer night at the restaurant.
He works with Barbe High School, Westlake athletics, St. Louis Catholic High School, SJ Welsh, and elementary schools like Prien Lake, Nelson and St. John.“Working with the schools involves awarding students kid’s meals and prizes. I cooked for all of the fundraisers that all the schools do. Barbe cheerleaders had 2,000 plus ribeye dinners. We had programs where we would bring in students of the month or students of the year, and award kids with different coupons and prizes for reading goals.”
The list spans from cooking for teacher appreciation to allowing Barbe to have a carwash in the restaurant parking lot.
Rogers began his community service a few months after he arrived. He moved to Lake Charles in July of 2005.
His hometown was devastated by Hurricane Katrina and Rogers remained in Lake Charles during Rita and the aftermath.
“We were out in the restaurant parking lot cooking and donating food to over 260,000 people for over 19 days once Rita hit. I figured why not do something with the food. It was a good experience. After that our restaurant was a success and we were embedded in the community from that day on.”
Rogers believes that it is easy to make the choice to help people.
“It is not what leads you to do for people it is what keeps you from doing for people. In your heart you know what is right and the Lord leads you to help and you just go with it. You don’t not do it. You pay it forward.”
Rogers’ servant attitude has moved
with him to The Landing. He encourages organizations to seek him out for whatever they need because the area supported him and his family when they arrived.“Lake Charles wrapped itself around me for the past four years, and I was able to provide for the community when nobody else could provide for them. We really had the opportunity to reach out and touch the community, and I want that opportunity here.”
Now that Rogers has struck out on his own at The Landing, he hopes to have the same opportunities to help the area and give back some of the support he has received.
“I have now wrapped my arms around The Landing and the SWLA catering company which is located above the restaurant. It is a magnificent venue and holds about a 120 people. It has 35 ft. vaulted wood ceilings. It’s just amazing.”
The Landing opened July 23 and has become an all encompassing dining experience that offers more than just a good meal.
Rogers offers SWLA Catering service, live music featuring local bands for Rock the Dock, and a beautiful venue available for parties. Whether it’s a craving for something simple like a hamburger or a fine dining experience, check out The Landing. Josh would love to meet you.
