New Orleans needs your money.
We encouraged people to do their 2005 Christmas shopping online from New Orleans businesses, but it doesn't need to stop there. The city has so much to offer -- unique music, art, jewelry, clothing, food, gifts and much more -- and is an ideal shopping stop year-round. The post-Katrina economy is limping, and needs your help as much as possible. What better way to help the Crescent City (other than actually going there) but to spend money there from the comfort of your own home?
Help New Orleans, and you'll be amply rewarded! Cool things to buy, a good feeling and lots and lots of cosmic karma points to boot.
(If you're a New Orleans business that has an online sales presence, please email me at chef ( at ) gumbopages ( dot ) com and I'd love to add you to the list!)
EVERYTHING
B-Native.com, dedicated to bringing together select items that are created in New Orleans, by New Orleanians, or items that bring awareness to our city.MUSIC
Louisiana Music Factory: The best record store in New Orleans, concentrating on local artists. Indispensible!!Basin Street Records, featuring Kermit Ruffins, Los Hombres Calientes, Irvin Mayfield, Jason Marsalis, Dr. Michael White, Henry Butler, Jon Cleary and more.
Tim Laughlin, superb jazz clarinetist (and my old high school classmate)
The New Orleans Jazz Vipers, one of the city's finest jazz ensembles and a staple of Frenchmen Street. Two excellent self-produced and -released albums for sale.
Louie's Juke Joint, dedicated to the culture of New Orleans. Jazz, blues, R&B and other local CDs, plus folk art, DVDs, musical instruments and more.
OffBeat: New Orleans and Louisiana's Roots Music Magazine. Indispensible. Subscribe at $29/year, and right now a $200 donation to keep them afloat will get you a lifetime subscription!
Quintron and Miss Pussycat, "Swamp-tech / Noise / Mood" music from beloved local characters of the Spellcaster Lodge, St. Claude Ave., Bywater.
Jim Russell's Rare Records: Rare LPs, 45s, 78s. Can be expensive, but can also be a last-chance treasure trove of vinyl.
STR Digital, contemporary New Orleans music.
Don Vappie and the Creole Jazz Serenaders, Traditional New Orleans Jazz.ART
A Gallery for Fine Photography: Joshua Mann Pailet's gallery is one of the finest photography galleries in the nation. Ansel Adams, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Yousuf Karsh, Jan Saudek, Jerry N. Uelsmann, Herman Leonard, many more.
The Bywater Art Market: Original works of art from local and regional artists.
Derby Pottery and Tile: Beautiful ceramic art based on local motifs. (I have several of Mark Derby's pieces.)
Dr. Bob Art: Folk art from the Bywater. Be nice, or leave!
Hanson Gallery, local and international artists: Adrian Deckbar, Peter Max, Malcolm Liepke, Frederick Hart, Raymond Douillet, Michelle Gagliano, Patterson & Barnes, Thomas Arvid, many more. Currently offering 10% discounts on pieces under $5000 through Dec. 31!
LeMieux Galleries, Louisiana and Gulf Coast artists: Shirley Rabé Masinter, Leslie Staub, many more.
Photo Works New Orleans: A gallery of New Orleans photographs by Louis Sahuc. Ask for the poster version of Louis' wonderful photographs of Napoleon House proprietor Joe Impastato and his lady friend Margi, a true New Orleans delight and a wonderfully affordable gift.
Christopher Porché West Photography, "A Studio on Desire": Porché West documents the cultural life of the city, including jazz, Mardi Gras Indians, African-American subjects and more.
Arthur Roger Gallery, local and international artists: Debbie Fleming Caffery, Mitchell Gaudet, Greg Gorman, Francis X. Pavy, Michael Willmon, many more.
Scully Elly: Voodoo folk art.
Stone + Press Gallery, specializing in mezzotints and fine art prints.
Studio Inferno: Glass art by Mitchell Gaudet, James Vella, Erica Hauben, Morgan Graff and Patti Meager. The unique history, culture, traditions, music, and architecture of the city influence the design and color palette of all Inferno's work, creating an unparalleled reputation throughout the United States and Europe. Many extremely affordable pieces by one of the most popular exhibitors at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival!BOOKS
Beckham's Books: Used and new titles, in the French Quarter.
Faulkner House Books, Pirate's Alley, French Quarter. A National Historic Landmark.
Garden District Book Shop, "New Orleans' signature book shop", lots of local authors and lots of signed volumes.
Maple Street Book Shop, Uptown.
The Neighborhood Story Project: Home-grown young New Orleans writers, mostly high school kids, writing about their neighborhoods in the Crescent City. A unique partnership between UNO, the Literary Alliance and John McDonough Senior High School. Wonderful!
Octavia Books: Independent bookshop at the corner of Octavia and Laurel, Uptown.
Pelican Publishing: Home of the Friends of the Cabildo's New Orleans Architecture Series and myriad books about New Orleans history and culture.CLOTHING & LINENS
Dirty Coast: Great locally-themed T-shirts.
Fleurty Girl: Locally-themed T-shirts and accessories.
House of Lounge: Luxurious designer lingerie and loungewear, Magazine St.
Jazzy Knits: A one-woman shop featuring unique, colorful handmade scarves, hats, belts, purses, etc.
J. Ring- Designs: Clothing from an artistic point of view, women's accessories and vintage clothing and old styles refashioned into new and wonderfully creative pieces. A line of t-shirts is also available.
Jolie and Elizabeth: Fabulous dresses, designed and made in New Orleans.
Kabuki Design Studio's fun original hats: From straw hats for Festivals, to fabric hats for both men and women, to costumes and wigs for Mardi Gras & Southern Decadence, to fringed velvet shawls and bags - a visit to Kabuki is a unique experience!
Leontine Linens: Monogrammed heirloom-quality linens.
Andrea Loest: Unique Art Clothing.
Metro Three: Locally-themed t-shirts and clothing for adults and kids.
Meyer the Hatter: The South's Largest Hat Store, since 1894! Where Chuck and his dad shop for their hats.
Orient Expressed: Children's clothes and gifts.
Perlis: Traditional men's wear, featuring the famous Crawfish Polo Shirt.
Skip 'n Whistle: Custom-printed T-shirts and screen printing, New Orleans-themed.
Storyville: "Wear Your Story" -- locally-themed T-shirts from New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Austin.
Trashy Diva: Vintage and retro women's fashion.
Yvonne LaFleur: Women's clothing and fragrances.FOOD AND FOOD-RELATED
Aunt Sally's Original Creole Pralines, gift baskets, much more.
Blue Frog Chocolates: Chosen "Best Candy Shop In New Orleans" by the readers of the Gambit, five years and counting.
Café Du Monde: Famous coffee and chicory, beignets and gifts.
Evans Creole Candy Factory: Pralines and more.
Loretta's Authentic Pralines. In business for 22 years, Loretta is the first African-American woman to successfully own and operate her own praline company in New Orleans.
Louisiana Caviar, from local Choupique roe harvested in freshwater Louisiana bayous, used in restaurants throughout New Orleans.
Southern Candymakers: Pralines, turtles, toffee, classic candies, New Orleans specialties, much more.
Tabasco Gift Baskets: email lydrumm@bellsouth.net.
Uglesich's Restaurant offers the Uglesich's Restaurant Cookbook, t-shirts, aprons, pot holders and more.JEWELRY
Mignon Faget: New Orleans-inspired jewelry and gifts. In New Orleans, anybody who's anybody has something from Mignon Faget, beloved local designer and artist. (And anybody who wants to make me really happy can get me a set of the fleur-de-lis cufflinks!)
Katy Beh Contemporary Jewelry.
Anne Dale's "I Love New Orleans" Badge: Mandeville-based jewelry designer's tribute to the city, a lapel pin or pendant featuring a crescent, heart and fleur-de-lis, saying "I know what it means" around the crescent and "New Orleans" below.
Heather Elizabeth Designs: New Orleans Photograph Jewelry: "My jewelry is unique in the sense that I shoot all the film myself and then turn it into the merchandise I sell>" Also Christmas ornaments, nightlights based on local motifs.
Thomas Mann Design: "Techno-Romantic Jewelry and Sculpture".
Sabai Jewelry Gallery: Art to wear.GIFTS
Hazelnut: Fine gifts and elegant home accessories, featuring their exclusive, fabulous New Orleans toile fabric and related products!
KK-Nola: Handmade eco-friendly gifts from reused and recycled materials.
Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n Bowl: Bowling shirts, t-shirts, zydeco CDs and souvenirs from the world-famous Rock 'n Bowl!
The Milk Bar: Clothing, accessories, jewelry, and other items made by New Orleans artists.
Vive la France, French imports: tablecloths and quilts, clocks, glassware, home décor, HB-Henriot Quimper, bath & perfumes, Laguiole knives, Dubout cats, absinthe and pastis accessories, French CDs, repro vintage posters, lavender & sachets, and much more. A terrific little shop! Royal Street, French Quarter.GROOMING & BEAUTY
Aidan Gill for Men: World class, top quality luxury shaving supplies, accessories, skin products and gifts. My super-nifty New Orleans Water Meter cufflinks came from here.
Earthsavers Skin Care: Skin care products, gifts and spa. Uptown, Metairie, Mandeville.
Rouge Beauty: Cosmetics, fragrances, bath & body accessories. French Quarter.&C.
New Orleans Craft Mafia: A loose collective of craftspersons making a wide variety of items!
Voodoo Authentica: Authentic Voodoo Products, from Practitioner-Made Voodoo Dolls, Gris Gris Bags, Ju-Jus, Powerful Voodoo Spells, Potion Oils, Herbal Blends, Incense, Candles, Ritual Kits, and Tools of Divination to Voodoo Books, Videos, Spiritual Consultations, Educational Packages, Haitian Art, Clothing, Posters and more.
New Orleans Business Listings
French Quarter Merchants
Magazine Street MerchantsNew Orleans thanks you, and I thank you too.
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Chuck Taggart (e-mail chuck)
Last updated on January 11, 2006