Central Business Hall of Fame

CENTRAL — Five  businesses were inducted into the Central Business Hall of Fame at award ceremonies.

The Central City News inaugurated the Hall of Fame as a way to recognize business leaders who have served the community for a generation or more.

The five inductees are:

• Lewis Wrecker — In 1947, Ruth and Finnon Lewis opened Lewis Café on Airline Hwy. They launched a wrecker business in 1956, moving it to Central shortly thereafter.  Son Dennis became the owner in 1980 and has been a stalwart of Central ever since.

• David’s Tiger Express — James and Jeannie David started a convenience store and deli on Terrace Street in Baton Rouge 30 years ago and took over Tiger Express at the corner of Hooper and Joor in 1997.  Now they’ve beautifully remodeled and expanded David’s Tiger Express and their Dairy Queen.

• DEMCO — Founded in 1938 and based in Central, DEMCO has over 200 employees and 98,000 customers. Central’s MVP Business.  John Vranic, president. • Wholesale Pools, Inc. — Celebrating its 25th anniversary constructing pools in Central.  Claude and Dustin Cassels, owners.

• Wholesale Pools Supplies — Celebrating its 25th anniversary providing pool supplies with stores in Central and Zachary.  Steven Fiore and Jared David, owners.

Editor’s Note: Founded in 1986, Wholesale Pools later split into two separate companies — one for pool construction and the other for pool supplies.