Marilynn's Place Offers Free Beignets for a Year in Renovation Celebration

Shreveport's iconic restaurant is set to reopen in April under new ownership, and they're giving away a year's worth of the local favorite.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 11:04am

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Marilynn's Place, a beloved restaurant in Shreveport, Louisiana, is set to reopen in early April after being sold to a new ownership group in October 2025. To celebrate the renovation and refresh, the new owners are offering one lucky fan the chance to win free beignets for an entire year by purchasing a $25 gift card, with additional entries available for larger gift card purchases.

Why it matters

Marilynn's Place has been a community staple in Shreveport since 2011, and its closure was felt deeply by locals. The new owners' commitment to preserving the restaurant's spirit and legacy has been well-received, and the beignet giveaway is a creative way to generate excitement for the grand reopening and welcome back the loyal customer base.

The details

The new ownership group, led by Bob Thames, has been transparent about the renovation process on social media, showing off the updates and changes they're bringing to the beloved restaurant. While they considered changing the name and concept, they ultimately decided to keep the Marilynn's Place brand and vibe intact, which has been widely praised by the community.

  • Marilynn's Place was sold to the new ownership group in October 2025.
  • The restaurant is set to reopen in early April 2026.
  • The beignet giveaway contest is currently running, with the winner to be announced prior to the grand reopening.

The players

Marilynn's Place

A popular restaurant in Shreveport, Louisiana that has been a community staple since 2011, known for its classic beignets and patio atmosphere.

Bob Thames

The leader of the new ownership group that purchased Marilynn's Place in October 2025 and is overseeing the renovation and refresh of the restaurant.

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What they’re saying

“Shreveport just hasn't felt the same without that patio buzzing.”

— Krystal Montez, Author

“The new owners actually listened to the community. They admitted that changing the name and the concept was an option on the table, but they ultimately rejected it.”

— Krystal Montez, Author

What’s next

The beignet giveaway contest will run until the grand reopening of Marilynn's Place in early April 2026, at which point the winner will be announced.

The takeaway

Marilynn's Place has remained a beloved institution in Shreveport thanks to the new ownership group's commitment to preserving the restaurant's legacy and community-focused spirit. The beignet giveaway is a creative way to generate excitement and welcome back loyal customers as the iconic eatery embarks on a new chapter.