HOUMA, La. (AP) — On the east side of Houma, a bright pink building at 9187 E. Main St. stands out from others nearby. It’s the home of Trap Seafood & Wings, which opened in September 2020, when many other businesses struggled due to coronavirus restrictions.
For co-owners Chad Smith, Jerne’ Martin and Divine Martin opening up a restaurant during the pandemic wasn’t a difficult choice.
“We felt like it wasn’t really risky. It was food that people wanted,” said Jerne’ Martin. “The pandemic does have its challenges but this is something we believed in.”
With few restaurants on that side of Main Street, the family believes that this site represented a niche that hadn’t been filled before. The restaurant currently has five full-time employees and two part-timers.
“Overall it’s been a real fulfillment not just for the business side but also from our family, said Martin. “We’ve received a lot of help to keep this business striving.”
The inspiration for the restaurant came from the Trap Music Museum, created by rapper 2 Chainz in Atlanta, which also features a pink exterior, and space for hip-hop music and culture.
Smith said the motto for Trap Seafood & Wings is “Food For the Culture,” as well as an attempt to turn the negative connotation of “trap,” a slang term often applied to areas where drugs are sold, to a positive one.
“I come from an impoverished area in Terrebonne Parish, poor neighborhoods,” Smith said. “They get this label called trap, and we’re trying to turn it into a positive vibe When folks walk in the Trap, they see professionalism, great customer service, fresh food from a clean place, positive vibes. They see tremendous diversity from our customers and we’re very proud of that.”
In December, a distracted driver was looking at their phone and rear ended a car directly into the building just before the restaurant was closing. Divine Martin was in the dining area at the time. Fortunately, no one was hurt, and the family was heartened to see the outpouring of support after the accident.
“People came out and instantly were able to get a covering for the hole,” Divine Martin said. “We were ready to be closed for several months. But we were able to be open right next week operating from the other side of the building.”
Smith agreed.
“The next day we had people in here with brooms and gloves and helping pick up all the scraps that were all over the floor,” he said. “It was great to see people all come together in that magnitude.”
Repairs and renovations were completed this week, including the addition of a new service window.
Since opening, the restaurant’s Facebook page amassed 1,500 followers in the first month it was open, and the page continues to grow. The restaurant has seen visits from all over the state, and from as far away as Atlanta.
Jerne’ Martin said one customer from Bourg has come back multiple times and brings a new person along on each visit.
“He’s told us, ‘To be able to see a Black-owned business open up on this side of town and the type of menu you bring to the table is incredible,’ ” he said. “We’re seeing the impact we have on people even if it’s just giving them a simple plate of fish or a simple plate of wings.”
Smith said the popularity of the business has caused him to stop wearing his Trap Seafood & Wings t-shirt when he runs errands.
“When I went to go out in the stores wearing a Trap shirt I would be stuck in the stores, because people who stop me to have multiple conversations about the Trap,” he said. “It’s not that I don’t want those conversations but I’m just trying to get back to the Trap.”
The restaurant has a simple, one-page menu focusing on chicken wings with Lemon Pepper, Sweet Heat and Island BBQ flavors, and seafood platters. This weekend, the restaurant will be hosting its first seafood boil.
“It’s simple but packed with flavor,” said Smith. “And we’re not skimping. We gotta give them their money’s worth.”
Trap Seafood & Wings is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
