Carol Bebelle, retired executive director of Ashe’ Cultural Arts Center stands behind Sybil Morial May 3 as the unveiling of the first marker for the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail outside Dooky Chase’s Restaurant in New Orleans. (Photo provided by Louisiana Office of Tourism)
A nascent industry for buying and selling restaurant reservations could meet its end soon in Louisiana. State lawmakers unanimously advanced a bill Thursday that forces such trading platforms to officially partner with the restaurants whose tables are going to the highest bidder. So far, the trading has taken place without any input or involvement from the dining establishments.
House Bill 90 , sponsored by Rep. Troy Hebert, R-Lafayette, cleared the Louisiana House of Representatives in an 89-0 vote without debate. It seeks to ban companies such as Appointment Trader, Dorsia and ResX from arranging reservations through their platforms if they do not have explicit contracts with the restaurants…