A Walk Down Metairie Road

Forget about a one-stop shop. Metairie Road is a one-stop street for a day in the city. Shop for family or friends, choose from an assortment of cuisines and take yourself out to lunch, relax and admire the shady tree scenery and shop again without ever venturing off this road. Businesses on Metairie Road have turned a road into a home and are welcoming you in.

Bella Bella (701 Metairie Road) opened 15 years ago and has made New Orleans its new home. Specializing in juniors clothing, this store gives young people a personalized shopping experience. “We can dress a person from head to toe!” Elise Decoteau, Bella Bella’s owner and operator, says. Offering some of
the latest clothing lines such as Collective Concepts and Theme, and popular shoe brands such as Chinese Laundry and Volatile, Bella Bella is in business to keep young women fashion-savvy. “We’re here for young ladies
who don’t want to spend a fortune on trendy styles,” Decoteau says.

Patrons who want to experience a Ralph Brennan restaurant can head to café b (2700 Metairie Road) for “affordable, informal, delicious, fun,” says Charlee Williamson Executive Vice President at café b. Catering to the local business people and “multigenerational clientele,” this restaurant has only been open since May, but has seen packed dining rooms night after night. Local artwork adorns the walls and the menu consists of casual flavors such as grilled redfish, burgers and hanger steak with garlic frites. The “accessibility” of Metairie Road, says Williamson, gave Brennan the final push he needed to open a restaurant that offers “elevated neighborhood cuisine.”

FeBe (474 Metairie Road) has a strong history on Metairie Road. Opening its first store in 2003, the women’s clothing store “strives to offer something for everyone,” says Ron Jones, the store’s manager. Since it has been in the same location for years, FeBe has gotten in touch with their clientele and chooses clothing that will work well for their individual lifestyles. Carrying designer brands such as Stuart Weitzman and Diane von Furstenberg, the store has “access to an amount of inventory that is otherwise hard to find without visiting a department store.” From T-shirts to cocktail dresses, FeBe offers its clients a “personal-shopper type experience” to fit them for both night and day events.

For all items worn under women’s clothing, Second Skin Intimate Apparel (701 Metairie Road) has a wide range of choices for all ladies, from preteens to grandmothers. More than a wide selection of panties and bras, this store carries sleepwear, robes and shapers. The intimate store may only carry products for women, but men are also encouraged to visit the store for gifts (for those special occasions). With professional fitting for bra brands such as Betsey Johnson, Cosabella and Elle MacPherson, the store can cater to specialty orders with ease. “We’re a small local store that caters to its local customers,” says Second Skin Intimate Apparel owner Ericka Petit.

For special events, Elizabeth’s (204 Metairie Road) offers women’s clothing that’s “conservative-classic with a twist,” says Elizabeth’s owner Sal Trentacoste. Geared toward the mature woman, this store also carries lines such as Nicole Miller for teens attending a graduation or prom. Elizabeth’s enjoys “catering to the customer” and providing “sophisticated, chic” clothing. “We know what the southern woman wants and what they need,” Trentacoste says.

A multitude of brands, custom designed jewelry and repairs for “any need and whatever budget” has been Boudreaux’s (701 Metairie Road) business since 1933. It is truly a family business at this jewelry store – a Boudreaux member works at all three of their locations to ensure clientele is satisfied with the service they received. “No job is too big or too small,” says Boudreaux’s family owner Tommy Boudreaux. With old Metairie Road roots, Boudreaux’s ensures that they’ll do a great job and offer a service that will always be needed. “We are not going anywhere.”

For an at-home dining feel without the at-home mess, Byblos (1501 Metairie Road) offers freshly made Mediterranean cuisine. Byblos took a chance moving to their Metairie Road location, “Restaurants had not been successful here before,” Byblos owner Tarek Tay says. “The neighborhood and people took us in as if this was their restaurant.” With all ingredients made in-house, a full bar and a friendly and professional wait staff, this restaurant considers customers friends.

Daily specials accompany a flavorful healthy menu with more than 50 different items from which to choose.

Whether shopping as a college student or young professional, Em’s (246 Metairie Road) offers more than 12 specialty brands as well as their own Em and Liv private labels to dress shoppers for special day socials and exciting evening events. Bright, colorful prints are the clothing store’s staple. A “wide selection” of jewelry to accessorize the “perfect going out top, or one of a kind dress” is available to complete an outfit, says Em’s manager Jill Sanchez. With brands such as Citizens of Humanity, Dolce Vita, Paige and Trina Turk, this clothing store caters to the young and playful.

With fun, fresh, customizable desserts, The Kupcake Factory (800 Metairie Road Suite Q) offers daily baked cupcakes, cakes, pies and cookies. This pastry store can achieve any design a guest can request. “On any given day we have 12 different flavors of cupcakes,” says owner and baker Claudia Melgar. The best-selling flavors may be red velvet and chocolate on chocolate, but flavorful cupcakes come in a variety of options: peach cobbler, Boston cream, caramel apple, macadamia nut and somoa (a take on the Girl Scout cookie) are some of the 32 flavors this pastry shop makes weekly. Freshness is a serious staple of this shop. Any leftover cupcakes are donated to emergency rooms, battered women’s shelters and late-working employees.

For New Orleans-style jewelry, Sue’s Jewelry (3122 Metairie Road) provides a “family atmosphere” and, nearing their 30th year of business, they pride themselves on customer service. Catering to mature women, the store offers sterling silver and gold jewelry. The convenience of Metairie road has allowed them to become “comfortable” with their size and reach of clientele.

Classic clothing for children is Banbury Cross’ (100 Atherton Drive) goal. For infants, toddlers and children this store, which abuts Metairie Road, offers brands such as Isabella, Lacoste, Calvin and their own Banbury Cross line. Coordinating an entire family for a wedding or portrait is an option at this clothing location. Parents and their children can synchronize their outfits with matching bows, smocked dresses, blouses and a “great boy department,” says Banbury Cross’ owner Peggy Roth.

After a long day of dining and shopping, a bed may seem like the next best place. Stopping by The Linen Registry (204 Metairie Road) can offer “quality, approachable, sophisticated” shopping and service. Lee McKee, owner of The Linen Registry. says the store is for “people who want a beautiful bed that’s user friendly.” Finding a linen set that’s as comfortable as it is attractive can be a daunting task. “Superior customer service can put together a beautiful bed that will fit and stay looking good for years,” McKee says. There are no cookie-cutter looks at this linen store; carrying “the largest amount of fine linen vendors in the Southeast” allows customers an assortment of choices to customize their bedroom, adds McKee.
 

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