Restaurant on Fayetteville’s West Side Facing Uncertainty

Lyn D’s Cajun Gypsy Café could close. The question is, will it reopen if it does? Due to a pending change in ownership of the building at 535 W. Poplar St. in Fayetteville, where Lyn D’s rents space, the future of the tiny restaurant is uncertain.

Cajun Gypsy owner Lyn DeFalice said Heckathorn Holdings LLC, which owns the building, is selling. Don Heckathorn confirmed the building is being sold and that the deal was scheduled to close May 24.

But Heckathorn declined to say who was buying the 7,200-SF building.

DeFalice said Sign Planet, owned by Corey Simmons, was buying the building. Simmons told Whispers that he was not “personally” making the purchase, but that the deal would close “soon.”

Asked if the Cajun Gypsy would remain, Simmons said, “I haven’t ventured into what I’m going to do or not going to do.”

In light of the transaction, DeFalice said, “We’re up in the air.”

The restaurant is a fixture on Fayetteville’s west side, and has been in business for nearly 15 years. Known for its pork, crawfish and alligator boudin, the Cajun Gypsy is popular among tailgaters.

DeFalice said she is looking for another space, and is also looking for investors who might help her find a location with affordable rent.

“We’re trying to figure out how all this works,” she said.