The former Browns Village Plaza in Slidell has been purchased by BEC Co-Packers, a local food manufacturing company. BEC Co-Packers is located in eastern St. Tammany Parish. The food manufacturer purchased the property in our to expand the company’s production and distribution capacities. 
The redevelopment will be around $2.5 million and will include the 3.1-acre property along with the 60,000-square-foot building. A total of 9,000 square feet of the building will be the site for production, while the remaining 49,0000 square feet will be used for warehousing.
Hurricane Katrina was a big factor in the closing of the plaza. Browns Village Plaza is located close to Interstate 12. The vacant building was a popular shopping area before it closed. Several decades ago it was the home of a supermarket, drugstore and Chuck E. Cheese.
The new site will add around 125-150 jobs in the area. The plans are slated to be completed in 90 days so that BEC will be able to start production.