The next time you’re wandering the French Quarter post Arnaud’s or Galatoire’s lunch, do yourself a favor and squeeze in some shopping. As locals, we tend to avoid tourist areas and assume that every retail store past Canal Street will involve a cartoon-sized Mardi Gras necklace or Voodoo doll. Thus, we take for granted the slew of retail gems that aren’t tourist traps! Many of these Vieux Carré locales have survived hurricanes and devastating economic downturns and still thrive today because they provide an outstanding, classic product. True, you may have to stumble over a mime or tarot card reader to get yourself in the doorway, but isn’t that part of the fun?
There are scores of local shopping options in New Orleans, but shopping in the French Quarter will always feel special if we continue to support its best and brightest spots. Recently, I found myself with an extra hour to kill on Royal Street. Every exposed brick, shadow-filled alleyway and lacey wrought iron balcony filled me with pangs of nostalgia and a pride I had long forgotten existed. It was a beautiful reminder of how extraordinary the French Quarter is and that preserving its beauty is everyone’s responsibility. Decades and even century-old shops – like Goorin Brothers, Adler’s, Rubenstein Brothers, M.S. Rau and Bourbon French Parfums – continue to carry the torch and keep the French Quarter from becoming one large T-shirt shop. To carry on, they’ll continue to need our patronage!
Now, pour that French 75 into a to-go cup and hit the shops. Whatever your mood or blood alcohol level, you’ll surely find something to take home!
- Campfire Games,Historic New Orleans Collection 2. Snake ring, Porter Lyons 3. In Search of Julien Hudson, The Shop at the Collection 4. Studded sneakers, UAL 5. Carved Jade earrings, M.S. Rau Jewelry 6. Blackberry Brandy Candle, Forever New Orleans 7. Vintage Cartier watch, Wellington & Co
- Fleur de Lis Julep Cup, Adler’s 2. Earhart sunglasses, Krewe du Optic 3. Dinner at Antoine’s, Crescent City Books 4. Gift Card, Arnaud’s 5. Oriental Rose Parfum, Bourbon French Parfums 6. St. Charles Ornament, Adler’s 7. Hat, Goorin Brothers Hat Shop
- Alexander Wang Earrings, UAL 2. Bandana, New Orleans Museum of Art 3. Tangerine Boots, Hemline 4. Elliott Erwitt Signed Print, A Gallery 5. Deco Tumblers, Adler’s 6. Ice Bucket, Adler’s 7. Alexander Calder ink on paper, Martin Lawrence Galleries
In other news:
’Tis the season for extra shopping events! Here are a few this week. You can also find a full list of holiday markets on my Holiday Shopping event’s blogpost.
Nov. 16-17: Veronica Beard Trunk Show at FeBe
Nov. 16-18: Annual BOGO Event at Home Malone
Nov. 18-20: Voyage to Vintage at Aucoin Hart
Nov. 18: Modern & Contemporary Art & Design Auction at New Orleans Auction Galleries
Nov. 19, 20 & 22: Frascara Designs Trunk Show at Chatta Box Boutique
Nov. 20: Holiday Market at St Matthew School