Owner and operator Linda Freyou stands in front of a building on the grounds of “Antique Roseville” on Monday.

Driving down Freyou Road in Iberia Parish, one can see the usual row of homes and mobile homes that line many roads in the parish, but if you look closely a sign bearing the name “Antique Roseville” welcomes those in the area to an eight-acre paradise for those who venture inside. 

The grounds are managed by Linda Freyou, a 75-year-old force of nature who maintains the landscape, gardening, cooking and cleaning mostly on her own. The serene setting of Antique Roseville has lent itself to many weddings, receptions, corporate birthdays and almost any event you can imagine, and Freyou is happy to share her labor of love with those who show up. 

How did Antique Roseville get started?

It started overnight. I decided I would preserve this little house, and once I decide to do something I do it. I found out this little house would be moved out of Iberia Parish, and it’s circa 1830s or 1840s.

Anyway, I always loved it. At 50, I started it and I’m 75 now. I decided I would preserve it, not really knowing what I wanted to do with it. I needed to generate money to finish the project so I opened up a nursery and I started landscaping because I’m very knowledgeable with plants. 

After that, I decided the next thing was the house. I decided to open up a little sandwich shop, but I don’t know how to do anything little and before you know it, it was a full-blown restaurant. I do all the cooking, the decorating, the landscaping, the managing, I even personally shop for everything. Everything is fresh, no supplies come here except for the seafood. 

What types of events do you host?

I do everything. This weekend I had a (Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce) event, and that night I had a big welding company. The following night I had a wedding. 

I do business meetings, a lot of medical people, lawyers, judges, I do just about anything. I think that’s the secret to having a successful business. If I had just stayed with the restaurant part I would have been out of business a long time ago. People are looking for other things and restaurants open and close all the time. I do rehearsal dinners, baby showers, reunions, birthdays, anything you want I’ll do. I’ve never had a menu so I customize everything. 

What’s the secret to longevity with your business?

The secret to success is really love what you do, and I love what I do because it gives me an opportunity to be creative. Cooking is an art, landscaping certainly is an art and I do all the flowers. 

It’s kind of like a bonus, it becomes exciting because this is what you love to do.