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The Spirit of New Orleans: It's the slogan emblazoned on the sign outside the newly reopened Copeland's restaurant on Clearview Parkway in Elmwood.
The 8,000-square-foot location opened July 20 for the first time since Hurricane Katrina. A 6,000-square-foot Copeland's opened on West Esplanade Avenue in Kenner in March.
The two locations stand in contrast to shuttered restaurants on St. Charles Avenue, which critics call an unnecessary reminder of New Orleans' piecemeal recovery.
But the father-son team that owns the restaurant chain said they will reopen the Uptown sites.
CEO Al Copeland Jr. said the delay in reopening the Copeland's at St. Charles and Napoleon avenues and the Cheesecake Bistro at 2001 St. Charles Ave. has nothing to do with his faith in the city's recovery.
"We've strategically opened our businesses where it...