by Malcolm Butler
Sometimes construction timelines are fluid.
Well, most of the time.
That has been the case for Delta Biscuit Company as owner Jonathan Joseph confirmed this week that the widely-popular breakfast spot should be opening soon.
It’s been almost two years since Joseph purchased the old historic federal building in downtown Ruston, and although the renovations have been slower than many had hoped — due to numerous factors — area resident’s taste buds can still be excited knowing the location will be opening.
And according to Joseph, who owns Delta Biscuit Company in Monroe, it will be opening sometime this summer.
“We are still rocking and rolling,” said Joseph. “We have framed up the inside. We are going to lay some terrazzo. We are on track for (opening) in June or July. I would say we will be ready for this summer.”
Oliver Road Investments, LLC purchased the approximately 38,000-square foot building for $210,000 in April of 2024. The Federal Building was appraised at $230,000, but the city offered the special rate in light of the 40-plus jobs the new restaurant plans to create.
Joseph said back then that every step of the process from the exterior concept to the interior plans were having to be approved by both the state of Louisiana and National Parks. His goal for the final appearance of the building was to take it all the way back to its original form.
“Because it’s a historic building, we are working with National Parks and the state of Louisiana,” said Joseph in March of 2025. “We gave them a proposal. … They approved that pretty quickly.”
A new slate roof was put on the building along with some other work to the exterior this time last year.
Joseph said a year ago that the second part of the approval process was geared towards the interior of the building, something that was just approved last March by National Parks.
“We are trying to bring back (the look) of the original post office,” said Joseph.
New windows have also been installed so most of the remaining work has to do with the interior.
Joseph said it will seat over 100 once opened.
“One thing we are working hard on is no bad seat,” said Joseph. “Every seat will be nice with a good view.”
