For years, Bob Thames had a standing offer out to Robert “Bozz” Baucum, owner of Marilynn’s Place in Shreveport: He wanted to buy the restaurant. Situated in an old Texaco station dating back to 1955, the restaurant has been a cornerstone in the Highland neighborhood for nearly 15 years, known for its authentic New Orleans-inspired comfort food and lively atmosphere.
Bob’s start in hospitality began after an early exit from Louisiana Tech, working there in Ruston and eventually returning home to Shreveport. People came to know him as “Bobby Beers” during his time as the bar manager at Great Raft Brewing, but he was also a regular at Marilynn’s Place. It served as his and his wife’s local watering hole, steps from where they lived. His friendship with Bozz came naturally, as did his love for the establishment itself. His desire to buy Marilynn’s Place continued for years; he’d often run into Bozz around town and jokingly say, “When you want to sell, let me know.”
In 2025, a turning point came. “I’m ready this time” was what Bob heard when he picked up Bozz’s call that July. In Bob’s mind, the decision had been made the second they hung up the phone, not because it was a great deal—though the financial aspect was in line with what he had expected—but because he felt deeply connected to it. And the location was prime. “It was the right place, right time, right people,” Bob recalls. “I’m thankful for it coming together the way it did.”
By the time Bozz was ready to step away, the restaurant had weathered years of challenges, including lasting effects from the COVID-19 pandemic. That said, Bob understood why Bozz had hung on for so long: The restaurant was named after Bozz’s late mother, who lost a battle to cancer, and was a tribute to her and carried deep personal ties. It was understandably difficult to close that chapter.
Bob knew he couldn’t do this alone. He rallied a team of partners who were united by a shared belief that it was a place worth preserving; each had their own connection to Marilynn’s Place. One of the partners, Randolph Smith, even had his first date with his now-wife there. They closed the place in last October for renovations, which came with a host of unexpected setbacks. When it reopened in April, it was met with great enthusiasm from the community, even after some initial hesitation from longtime customers.
Bob made sure to maintain some of the restaurant’s defining characteristics. “We kept the culture and the vibes, and the menu is very similar,” he says. “It’s not that things weren’t great, but they needed a step up and some fresh blood and eyes.” It was clear he didn’t want a brand-new restaurant, just a fresher Marilynn’s Place. Signature dishes—jambalaya, seafood gumbo, étouffée, po’ boys, fried shrimp platter, and more—from the “before times” still have a home on the menu today. Welcomed tweaks, such as leaning on more local options like Gulf shrimp and Mississippi catfish whenever possible, were important to Bob, and he also introduced some new shareable options, salads, and other items. But the biggest change has probably been the addition of a full-service bar, an appealing feature for many patrons.
Keeping familiar faces around was also important to Bob. “We kept one of the original chefs [though he’s since gone on to pursue a different career] and we brought back some of the kitchen crew. My superstar is Elise, my general manager. She represents the ‘old’ and bridges the gap,” he says. He’s even got the stamp of approval from Bozz, who comes back from time to time when he’s not working as the chef on a tugboat, his latest gig. “He’s been a great supporter,” says Bob.
Today, the restaurant is thriving under its new ownership, and the legacy that started with Bozz now lives on with Bob, who has artfully and successfully created space to honor old traditions while also giving it room to grow. “[The restaurant] has given me a renewed sense of community to see so many familiar faces and ones that have become familiar,” says Bob.
Get There
Marilynn’s Place
4041 Fern Ave., Shreveport
@marilynns_place
Photography courtesy of Jillian Batson Photography
