Biz New Orleans December 2024

Adieu 2024

“When nothing is sure, everything is possible.”

An English writer named Margaret Drabble is credited with that pithy, yet powerful phrase, and it’s one that I love.

December is a popular time to look back at the year, while making plans for the new one ahead. So many of us, me included, promise ourselves we’ll start doing the things we know we should be doing but haven’t, like exercise more or make better financial decisions. Others plan big trips or swear this will be the year they finally break that bad habit.

Making plans gives us a sense of control over the future, and that provides comfort. Of course, the reality is that the future is uncertain. We have no clue what lies ahead in the next five minutes, never mind the next 12 months.

New Orleans is a city intimately familiar with uncertainty — more so than any place I’ve ever lived. It is also one that embraces the biggest example of certainty, death, in a way I’ve yet to see anywhere else. The result of all this is that people here live differently, celebrate more, than anywhere else. The world is about to see that on display, yet again, for the Super Bowl.

My wish for the new year is that while 2025 may be full of uncertainties, may we all embrace the inherent possibilities it brings in a way that makes our region stronger, safer and more prosperous for all that call it home.

Publisher Todd Matherne

EDITORIAL

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Contributors John Landrum, Sandra Lindquist, Ashley McLellan, Misty Milioto, Chris Price, Poppy Tooker, Keith Twitchell

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KIMBERLEY SINGLETARY

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On A Mission

Ilove great quotes and inspirational messages so much that I keep a reading list in my notes app on my phone for daily reflections.

One quote that I really love is from Michael J. Fox, who, when asked what keeps him going as he fights ALS, said, “I find something to be grateful for, then find something to look forward to and carry on.”

Quotes like this remind me to be grateful for people in my life who help me to carry on. The things I look forward to these days are ever-increasing, especially this year.

Three years ago, we were blessed with our first grandchild (Penelope), and then the following year James arrived. This year, we hit the trifecta — all three of our daughters had a baby, bringing the grandchildren count to five. Emma, Paul and Annie all arrived in the last ten months, and our family is so blessed.

You may ask why Todd is talking about gratitude and carrying on. You see, from 2017 until 2022, I struggled with health issues and visited many doctors for testing, but no one could ever pinpoint a specific cause for my loss of balance, trouble walking and increased fatigue.

Then one day, at a visit to a physical therapist named Troy at Ochsner for an orthopedic therapy session, a light bulb went off. He said, “Sorry, I cannot help you. What you have is not muscular, it has to be nerve. Go back to your doctor and ask them to evaluate and test your nervous system.”

A few weeks later, after an extensive MRI and spinal tap, we finally had a cause. On a call one evening, the doctor said, “Come in tomorrow morning. We would like to review the test with you.” You know when you get a call in the evening and the doctor fits you into their schedule the next day you need to be ready for anything. For me, it was multiple sclerosis (MS).

I had no clue what MS was. I had no knowledge about the disease, but I did know if I developed a plan with Andrea and my supportive family and friends this would only represent a step back before I move two steps forward. Over the next couple of weeks, I visited over a half-dozen doctors and took a trip to Mayo Clinic to confirm everything and form my treatment plan with Ochsner. I began to feel comfortable that my plan of nutrition, exercise and mental health was exactly what I needed to execute.

So now, two years later and 50 pounds lighter, you may see me walking a little slower with a weird gate or reaching for the handrail and looking for the elevator, but it is just part of the plan — keep my balance and move on.

So back to looking forward! As the year ends, and we all prepare for a Super Bowl city celebration in 2025, I am over the moon ready to enjoy the blessings God has graced upon me. So, the next time I see you, no need to ask about MS and how I am doing, just ask how the grandchildren are. I love to talk about Penelope, James, Emma, Paul and Annie. They are why I carry on.

Live your mission statement. Mine is “Faith, Family, Fun.”

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

TODD MATHERNE

abby@bizneworleans.com

IN THE BIZ

A Green Witch for the Holidays

Looking for a unique way to celebrate this year? Check out Tatlo Divine Cuisine.

BY POPPY TOOKER

Every December, the twinkle of holidays lights casts a certain spell on New Orleans’ French Quarter. From hotel lobbies to private homes, decorations dazzle.

But this year, there’s new magic brewing on Bourbon Street with a real witch — Cristina Quackenbush (owner and chef of the popular restaurant Milkfish for more than a decade)— whose most recent offering, Tatlo Divine Cuisine and Absinthe House — is stirring the pot.

POPPY TOOKER has spent her life devoted to the cultural essence that food brings to Louisiana, a topic she explores weekly on her NPR-affiliated radio show, Louisiana Eats! From farmers markets to the homes and restaurants where our culinary traditions are revered and renewed, Poppy lends the voice of an insider to interested readers everywhere.

Born in a tiny village in the Philippines, Quackenbush came to the United States at the age of 5 with her mother and stepfather, a U.S. Marine. After settling in southern Indiana, most of her childhood was spent on her American grandmother’s farm.

“That is where my love for food and cooking came from,” she said. “[My grandmother] taught me how to sew, can food, make bread and butter — everything from scratch. We were constantly in the garden, watching it grow, picking it when it was ready. I learned not only the health benefits but also the spiritual elements that food brings which is what makes me a green witch.”

Tatlo means three in Tagalog, Cristina’s Filipino home dialect.

“Three is a very magical number in the witchy world,” she continued. “At Tatlo, you’ll see it everywhere, in the dining room, in the cocktails, on the menu. It’s the symbol of being a powerful witch. I have it tattooed on the back of my neck.

Quackenbush emphasized that she uses her powers for good.

“I use my power in divinity to help people,” she said. “To provide a space and experience where you heal spiritually and through your physical body.”

To accomplish this goal, she opened Tatlo in September in an intimate back space at Bourbon Street’s Old Absinthe House. Originally a place reserved for 19th-century women to imbibe, Quackenbush noted that, “From the first time I entered the room I felt I had passed through a spiritual portal.”

The restaurant’s servers begin the evening with what she terms “a witchy positive manifestation,” which means they gently probe the diner’s intentions to learn particular areas of concentration. Abundance? Love? Protection from negativity? All is possible after an evening at Tatlo. A candle is then

placed on the table to indicate the diner’s intent — pink or red for love, green for abundance. Once lit, it burns brightly throughout dinner. Diners are then given an opportunity to write down a manifestation or wish for themselves or someone else.

“At the end of the evening, you burn it in the candle’s fire,” Quackenbush explained. “By the time you leave, you have literally immersed yourself in healing your mind, body and soul.”

In Quackenbush’s magical hands, Asian flavors ranging from her Filipino home to Vietnam appear alongside favorites from her popular Milkfish restaurant and pop-up brand. Each dish has its own intent. For spiritual enlightenment, there is Triquetra, combining pork ribs with sticky lemongrass BBQ, candied mango, red cabbage, mint and cilantro. Chicken adobo arancini made with purple sticky rice creates synergy, said to offer fertility, abundance and growth.

Most magical of all are the “protection noodles” meant to repel evil spirits. Filipino pancit noodles in a mushroom broth are tossed with crab butter, garlic and green curry. Arriving at the table with an edible, burning tallow candle nestled among the noodles, it melts into the plate as you dine.

“It’s a good spell that lasts at least a week,” Quackenbush reported. “A lot of people say they immediately feel more positive. That’s one of the best compliments I’ve received, to learn the food had an impact on our guests before they leave Tatlo.”

Catch Poppy Tooker on her radio show, “Louisiana Eats!” Saturdays at 3 p.m. and Mondays at 8 p.m. on WWNO 89.9 FM.

During December, Tatlo is hosting a uniquely Filipino style Réveillon dinner, Noche Bueno. Lighted star-shaped lanterns called parols signifying hope and good adorn the dining room. Traditional Filipino Christmas dishes including roasted pork Lechon and Bibingka made with salted duck and cassava cake appear on the seasonal menu as positive holiday energy abounds. T

award-winning journalist and public relations principal.

Saints’ Offseason Already Started

Collapse after surprising 2-0 start doomed 2024 season

BY CHRIS PRICE

There is still a game to play on the Saints schedule, but for all intents and purposes, the season was over midafternoon of the first Sunday last month when the team lost to Carolina, 23-22, which was then 1-7 and the team with the worst record in the NFL coming into the game. It was a barometer on just how far the team had fallen by the midway point of the season. On opening day, the Saints beat Carolina 47-10. The next week, New Orleans shellacked the Cowboys in Dallas and preseason concerns about the ’24 squad started to subside. A seven-game losing skid followed, and the Monday after the crash in Carolina, team owner Gayle Benson, after speaking with players and hearing from fans, ended head coach Dennis Allen’s tenure in the Crescent City.

Allen was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach when Sean Payton retired after the 2021 season. In Payton’s last

five seasons at the helm, the Saints went 11-5 in 2017, 13-3 in 2018 and 2019, 12-4 in 2020, and 9-8 in 2021. The team won the NFC South Division four straight years from 2017-2020 and finished second in 2021. Of course, Payton had future NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees in those division championship-winning years and decided to move on from New Orleans a year after the quarterback retired.

Under Allen, the team went 7-10 in 2022 (3rd NFC South) and 9-8 (2nd in division) in 2023, missing the playoffs both years. The 2-7 start to the 2024 season gave him a record of 18-25 in New Orleans.

Since Brees retired, the Saints have had a revolving door under center. Allen settled on quarterback Derek Carr. While he had an amazing start to 2024, things changed in Game 3, when center Erik McCoy exited the game after just three snaps. Wide receivers Rashid Shaheed (knee, out for the season) and Chris Olave (concussion) were lost in a Game 6 loss to Tampa Bay. Taysom Hill missed some time,

and Carr missed three games with an oblique injury, forcing the Saints to turn to backups — rookie Spencer Rattler and second-year pro Jake Haener. And Olave suffered a second concussion in Game 9.

General Manager Mickey Loomis was a staunch defender of Allen since promoting him. In a statement after his release, Loomis cited “an avalanche of injuries” the team suffered and called Dennis Allen “a fantastic football coach.”

Loomis’ praise of Allen may, in fact, be a mea culpa. After all, Loomis has been in charge of making sure the team’s payroll fits under the NFL’s annual salary cap, and for years, he made financial moves that appeared genius and provided New Orleans a winner. It has been under his leadership that the Saints won their only Super Bowl, and the four-year run from 2017-2020 — a last ditch effort to get another championship — was mortgaged with today’s roster paying the cost. Dead money — funds going toward players no longer on the roster — has impeded the team from keeping rising stars and building depth. Unfortunately, it caught up to them this year.

Talk of a rebuild has been circulating in the Crescent City since Brees retired. The team has fallen from playoff caliber to middle of the field, to the lower echelon. Now is the time for that rebuild to happen. It’s going to take time and a lot of patience.

The fact that the Saints season turned out to be what it is shouldn’t be surprising, but the blowout wins to start the season set fans up for a harsh reality as the season played on. We were told not to expect much, but jeez. The offseason will begin the afternoon of Jan. 5, but work on the 2025 season has already begun. There will likely be a revolving door at Saints headquarters as coaches and players come and go. Right now, the Saints are selling hope of a better tomorrow, but the reality is this could be one of the most impactful offseasons — for good or bad — in the franchise’s history. T

CHRIS PRICE is an

When he’s not writing, he’s avid about music, the outdoors, and Saints, Ole Miss and Chelsea football.

KEITH TWITCHELL spent 16 years running his own business before serving as president of the Committee for a Better New Orleans from 2004 through 2020. He has observed, supported and participated in entrepreneurial ventures at the street, neighborhood, nonprofit, micro- and macro-business levels.

Tis the (Busy) Season

Local entrepreneurial experts offer tips for helping business owner manage the holiday season

BY KEITH TWITCHELL

Like it or not, the December holidays have become a major business time of year. While Christmas, Chanukkah and Kwanzaa all have distinct traditions, each has inherent business opportunities, which in turn creates demands on businesses and their owners.

Maximizing business success while taking care of oneself is always a challenge for entrepreneurs, one that can grow particularly acute during the holiday season. But not addressing this can have serious consequences for both individuals and companies.

One overall key to managing the situation, according to Adele London, director of community development at the business incubator Propellor, is being prepared ahead of time.

“You want to plan for the holidays,” she emphasized, “especially things like your website, any special offers, social media. Preloading all that is really key.”

Some particular challenges of the season require extra planning and attention.

STAFF MANAGEMENT. Especially in fields like retail and hospitality, more customers — and

frequently, longer hours — create a need for additional staff, while putting a real strain on existing staff. The issue is compounded by general workforce shortages at present, plus the desire of staff to have their own holiday time.

London again stressed thinking ahead.

“You can’t wait until December 1 to plan for your holiday staff needs,” she said, “people just won’t be available. Plus, it takes time to onboard folks.”

As for time off, Jon Atkinson, CEO of the Idea Village, another entrepreneurial support entity, suggested that if possible, businesses find a time to shut down completely.

“When you get to the point where everyone is trying to take off at the same time, it’s better to push them out the door and say, ‘Okay, we’re closing.’” he recommended.

For businesses that generate a lot of revenue during the holidays or have a lot of year-end responsibilities to their customers, that down time might come earlier in the year or after the holidays. While this may not help with employee wishes for time off during the season, at least it compensates them for their dedication. And, as London pointed out, for smaller businesses and nonprofits that are not holi -

day-dependent, the extra paid leave can make up for other benefits that such entities typically cannot afford to offer.

FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES.

These take many different forms, from having children home from school to visiting parents and relatives to buying gifts.

“It’s always been a big problem for me personally,” Atkinson recounted. “You sort of acquire another part-time job at the end of the year. A lot of it has to do with expectation management, how big are you going to try to do what you’re going to do?”

London suggested tactics such as pre-booking extra babysitting or childcare, and even seeking out teachers who might be interested in earning some extra cash during their own time off.

SELF-CARE.

Entrepreneurism is a major responsibility, and sacrifices are made constantly. That said, everyone deserves, make that needs, some relaxation time, and to experience the joy and reflection of the holidays.

Key to managing this is staying really focused on doing what must be done, despite the constant holiday distractions. Time wasted while doing business is time stolen from being with friends and family. On the flip side, not allowing business concerns to crowd in during personal time is equally vital. Ironically, just when most entrepreneurs often feel like they have nothing more to give, a little extra giving — presents and time off to staff, charitable contributions — can help increase their experience of that holiday glow.

“Acknowledge it, plan for it, make it fit into your business rhythm,” advised Atkinson.

“Don’t let the holidays sneak up on you,” concurred London. “Holiday preparation should be part of your overall business planning and strategy.”T

PERSPECTIVES

PERSPECTIVES REAL ESTATE+CONSTRUCTION

Building Tomorrow

A look at some of the projects coming online in 2025 that are shaping the future of New Orleans

BY DREW HAWKINS

New construction projects, both commercial and residential, are set to reshape the city’s landscape in 2025. This shift signals not only a surge in economic investment but also raises questions about equitable growth, access to resources, and sustainable development as New Orleans navigates its complex socio-economic terrain.

Talking with some of the people and organizations behind some of these projects, it becomes clear that major development efforts are aiming to address a wide variety of needs in the city, from bolstering tourism to improving access to healthcare and affordable housing. However, these ambitions come with unique challenges and opportunities in a post-pandemic environment, particularly as communities demand and deserve a voice in how their neighborhoods are transformed.

DREW HAWKINS is a writer and journalist in New Orleans. He’s the health equity reporter in the Gulf States Newsroom, a collaboration among public radio stations in Louisiana (WWNO and WRKF), Alabama (WBHM) and Mississippi (MPB-Mississippi Public Broadcasting) and NPR. He’s also the producer and host of Micro, a LitHub podcast for short but powerful writing.

MAJOR PROJECTS POISED TO REDEFINE THE SKYLINE

One of the most anticipated projects breaking ground in 2025 is the River District, a mixed-use development combining housing, entertainment and a new office building for Shell, marking the first major office structure in Downtown since the completion of Benson Tower in 1989.

And work is underway.

“We have seen dirt being moved on the site, and both residential housing and the new Shell office building were part of the first phases,” said Grady Fitzpatrick, chief business development officer at GNO, Inc.

Fitzpatrick said the River District will serve as a key component of New Orleans’ efforts to provide modern housing while supporting business growth. Critics, however, have raised concerns over whether the developments will be accessible to a diverse range of residents.

Though it’s well outside of the city, another large project is Port NOLA’s Louisiana International Terminal, which promises to bring economic growth on a different scale. Nicholas Moldaner, chief operating officer at RNGD, noted that “the new terminal was expected to bring more than 18,000 jobs to the state by 2050.”

This terminal is aimed at enhancing New Orleans’ status as a global port, while providing job opportunities and bolstering economic stability. But there’s strong opposition from community members who say the facility is being built in a historic neighborhood with suburban neighborhoods located on both sides of the development. They claim it will destroy pollution-eating wetlands that also serve as storm buffers, and bring in an armada pollution-generating trucks every day.

HOSPITALITY AND HEALTHCARE SECTORS

The hospitality sector remains a strong driver of new investments in the city.

“As we looked ahead to 2025, the hospitality sector continued to lead,” said Moldaner, “with over $1 billion in current and planned developments.”

New hotel projects, like the 1,000-room Omni Hotel near the Ernest N. Morial Convention

Center, are expected to contribute to this wave.

With the renovated Caesars Superdome and Super Bowl LIX coming in early 2025, tourism in the city is looking toward some significant bumps. Critics have questioned, however, whether local communities can also benefit from this growth, or if these developments will primarily serve out-of-town visitors.

Healthcare and biotech also represent significant growth areas, driven by the BioDistrict New Orleans initiative. Fitzpatrick noted the catalytic potential of this project, stating that “the BioDistrict could transform that part of Downtown into a thriving healthcare and bioscience hub.”

OVERCOMING FINANCING AND COST BARRIERS

Both Fitzpatrick and Moldaner pointed to challenges developers face in securing financing, largely due to higher interest rates and the increased cost of construction materials, which disproportionately impact smaller developers and community-led projects. For communities traditionally underserved by large developers, these challenges make it harder to secure financing for projects that could address local needs, such as affordable housing or community spaces.

Public-private partnerships have become essential to enabling large projects to get off the ground. Moldaner pointed out that “public-private partnerships emerged as an effective financing tool and a catalyst for successful commercial and residential developments.” He emphasized that these partnerships — which can leverage historic tax credits and tax increment financing (TIF) districts — can serve as a bridge between public resources and private capital.

RISING RENTAL RATES AND THE PUSH FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

As new office and residential developments rise, the pressure on New Orleans’ real estate market intensifies.

“New Class A office developments commanded premium rates, about 25% above pre-pandemic levels,” said Moldaner.

This shift underscores the importance of balancing market demand with equitable housing access. For instance, Fitzpatrick said a few projects will incorporate affordable housing

into their design. “River District, Naval Support and others aim to address the city’s ongoing housing crisis,” he said.

However, affordable housing remains a pressing issue, especially as communities fear that rising rents in newly developed areas may drive long-term residents out of neighborhoods they have called home for generations. Sustainable development strategies, such as mixed-income housing models and office-to-residential conversions in older properties, could play a critical role in easing housing pressures while supporting inclusivity.

SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE AS CORE VALUES

Given New Orleans’ vulnerability to hurricanes and flooding, developers are increasingly incorporating sustainability and resilience measures into new buildings.

“New Orleans continues to be one of the most resilient cities, and our building codes reflect that,” said Fitzpatrick. Resilient design has become integral to these projects, focusing on flood defenses, sustainable energy and adaptive infrastructure to withstand natural disasters.

Moldaner also noted that many projects are incorporating on-site power generation and oversized stormwater systems, explaining that “new projects typically included on-site power generation through a combination of solar installations and natural gas generators.”

These systems not only protect the physical structure but also enhance community resilience, reducing the environmental impact and contributing to long-term economic stability in the face of climate change.

THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY INPUT AND EQUITY

As New Orleans embarks on this construction boom, ensuring that community voices are included in the planning and design stages will be essential. Both Fitzpatrick and Moldaner underscored that local government, planning commissions and community organizations play critical roles in regulating and incentivizing these projects.

“Community voices must be incorporated into planning to avoid displacing residents and ensure developments reflect local needs,” Fitzpatrick explained.

Public consultations, feedback sessions and proactive outreach to marginalized communities can help ensure these projects serve a diverse set of residents, fostering more inclusive growth. T

PERSPECTIVES

DID YOU KNOW? In September 2024, almost 12,000 people applied for a $10,000 Fortified Roofing Grant in Louisiana. The state awarded 600 grants.

BRACING FOR IMPACT

Top insurance leaders weigh in on what Louisiana businesses need to know about 2025 trends

BY DREW HAWKINS

Louisiana’s struggles with property and auto insurance have reached a critical level, pushing leaders to implement reforms aimed at stabilizing the market. But with the state’s exposure to hurricanes, climate impacts and shifting global insurance dynamics, the future remains uncertain.

As we head into 2025, Louisiana businesses need to stay informed about trends likely to impact their coverage and costs. Here, our “insurance meteorologists,” if you will, are Tim Temple, Louisiana’s Commissioner of Insurance, and Ben Albright, CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Louisiana. Both were asked recently to share their thoughts on the top insurance issues on the horizon.

NAVIGATING THE COST CRISIS IN PROPERTY AND AUTO INSURANCE

“The state of insurance in Louisiana is undeniably challenging,” said Temple. “Homeowners, private passenger auto, and commercial rates are making life difficult for families and businesses.”

With some of the highest premiums in the nation, many businesses are struggling to afford essential coverage, while others have delayed expansion plans or considered relocating due to cost pressures.

Temple has championed a wave of regulatory changes to try to turn the tide.

“Since taking office in January, we’ve made significant reforms aimed at creating a more competitive marketplace,” he said.

Although there has been progress on property insurance reform, the auto insurance market remains largely stagnant.

“On the auto side, I don’t see any significant changes on the horizon,” said Albright. “The Legislature and the governor have not made the transformational kinds of changes necessary to turn those loss trends around.”

Without deeper legal reforms, Albright warned that high costs will likely persist.

HOPE ON THE HORIZON?

The 2025 legislative session could bring further reforms targeting Louisiana’s insurance market, particularly in commercial property and auto insurance. Temple noted that high commercial

rates are deterring new businesses from setting up in Louisiana and even prompting some established companies to leave. To combat this, he plans to push a legislative agenda that addresses the underlying issues of high losses and market inefficiencies.

One major proposed change involves increasing transparency in Louisiana’s auto insurance claims process. New reforms could enable defendants to disclose the actual amount paid for medical procedures in court, not just the billed amount.

“This transparency would help reduce auto insurance premiums by curtailing inflated costs,” Albright explained.

On the property insurance side of things, the increased frequency and intensity of storms is pushing both state leaders and insurers to prioritize resilience as a risk mitigation strategy.

“If we want to continue our way of life in New Orleans and the rest of the state, we must focus on building more resilient homes, businesses and infrastructure,” Temple stressed.

For businesses, this focus on resilience offers both a challenge and an opportunity. Insurers are starting to favor properties that meet high construction standards, particularly those with Fortified roofs and other structural reinforcements.

“You’ll see insurance companies competing more aggressively for better-constructed buildings, while older structures will become more expensive to insure,” Albright explained. Fortified properties bring proven reductions in risk, which in turn makes them more appealing to insurers and helps stabilize costs.

However, Temple and Albright agreed that it’s unlikely property insurance premiums will return to their pre-2020 levels.

“The market was underpriced for the risks we now face,” Albright said.

While prices could come down as more competition enters the market, the reality of climate change means higher rates may be here to stay. For businesses, investing in resilience now could help manage future costs and keep coverage accessible.

GLOBAL MARKET SHIFTS AND REINSURANCE TRENDS

Louisiana is heavily reliant on reinsurance to cover the risk of severe storms, but global market shifts have driven up costs in recent years. Temple warned that the high cost of reinsurance often results in higher premiums for Louisiana policyholders, though he was hopeful for some relief in the upcoming renewal season.

“Hurricanes Francine, Helene and Milton caused less damage than anticipated, which could mean fewer rate increases for 2025,”

“

If a business owner wants lower auto costs, they need to demand that legislators and Gov. Jeff Landry pass reforms allowing medical cost transparency in court.

”

Ben

Albright, CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Louisiana

Albright said. However, the unpredictable nature of global reinsurance markets means businesses should brace for possible increases if another major storm strikes.

Amid this uncertainty, Temple emphasized the importance of diversification in risk management.

“Reinsurance is a global market, and while we have no control over events outside Louisiana, we must control what we can within our state to improve the marketplace,” he said. By fostering resilience and exploring innovative coverage models, Louisiana can help shield its businesses from the volatility of the global market.

EMERGING RISKS FOR 2025: CYBERSECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES

In addition to natural disasters, Louisiana businesses are facing new threats in the digital age. As Albright pointed out, cyberattacks are becoming a significant risk, especially for small businesses.

“Cyber insurance still doesn’t get enough attention, even though around half of cyberattacks target small businesses,” he said. A data breach or ransomware attack could shut down a company, making cyber insurance essential for businesses with sensitive customer information or critical computer systems.

Cyber insurance goes together with strong internal practices, Albright noted, as “95% of cybersecurity breaches are attributed to human error.” He urged business owners to work with their teams to learn best practices, such as identifying phishing attempts and maintaining secure passwords. For businesses, taking proactive steps to mitigate cyber risk can lead

to more affordable insurance rates and a better line of defense against costly disruptions.

INSURANCE ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY FOR SMALL AND MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES

The high cost of insurance is especially challenging for small businesses, particularly those owned by minorities or located in vulnerable communities. Temple acknowledged that recent premium increases have taken a toll. Here, both Temple and Albright highlighted how resilience-focused programs can help reduce costs.

The Louisiana Fortified Roofs Grant Program, for example, offers grants for homeowners to install fortified roofs that can withstand hurricane-force winds.

“For small businesses in vulnerable communities, a fortified roof can provide both physical and financial protection,” Albright said. Additionally, eligible homeowners can submit their fortified roof certificates to insurers for premium discounts, which can help keep coverage affordable.

On the auto side, Albright advised businesses to advocate for legislative reforms that would increase transparency in the insurance claims process.

“If a business owner wants lower auto costs, they need to demand that legislators and Gov. Jeff Landry pass reforms allowing medical cost transparency in court,” he said. These efforts could benefit small business owners facing high auto insurance premiums, particularly those operating in areas with high accident rates and claim frequency.

PREPARING FOR A CHANGING INSURANCE LANDSCAPE

As Louisiana heads into another year of insurance challenges, the insights of experts like Temple and Albright reveal both the obstacles and opportunities that lie ahead. Much like meteorologists tracking a hurricane, they’re working to help businesses prepare for an evolving storm of costs, climate impacts and regulatory changes that could shape the future of the state’s insurance market.

“Insurance is a vital part of Louisiana’s resilience,” Temple said. Just as communities prepare for the worst during hurricane season, businesses can take proactive steps to fortify themselves against rising insurance costs and emerging risks. Whether it’s by advocating for legislative reforms, investing in resilient infrastructure, or tightening up cybersecurity practices, Louisiana’s businesses have some tools they can use to weather the storm.

As Temple and Albright emphasize, the outlook may be challenging, but adaptation and resilience will be essential. T

Game On!

DAQA is only the latest win for Louisiana’s growing gaming industry.

BY VERONIKA LEE CLAGHORN

While Louisiana’s business landscape has long been defined by energy, tourism and agriculture, local leaders and creatives have been working to establish the state as a premier destination for digital innovation and game development. Since 2004, international companies like France’s Gameloft and Silicon Valley’s inXile Entertainment have turned to the Crescent City to tap into its growing pool of creative talent, benefit from the state’s generous tax incentives for digital media and leverage the region’s unique cultural influences to develop story-driven games. New Orleans is home to several prominent game development studios, including Treyarch’s New Orleans studio, which contributes to the Call of Duty franchise, as well as Pixel Dash Studios and Vermilion Games.

The industry is composed not just of companies and talent that have relocated to New Orleans, but also those that are native to the region. Entrepreneurs like independent designer and programmer “Yutsi” — a native of St. Charles Parish — have used their home state for inspiration in their work.

VERONIKA LEE CLAGHORN is the associate news editor of BizNewOrleans. com. She may be reached via email at Veronika@BizNewOrleans.com.

Yutsi created a point-and-click game called “NORCO,” which takes place in a futuristic dystopian world of St. Charles Parish. The game was developed by a Louisiana game studio called Geography of Robots and published by Raw Fury out of Sweden.

“NORCO originally grew out of a small oral history project after Hurricane Katrina,” he explained. “Louisiana’s character and landscape were central to the game’s development from the start.”

Released in 2022 for multiple platforms, including macOS, Windows and major consoles, the game was widely praised for its compelling art, storytelling and worldbuilding. It garnered several award nominations and won the Long Form Award at A MAZE / Berlin.

Yutsi said he has high hopes for the burgeoning industry in his home state.

“The region offers so much creative inspiration,” he added. “I imagine it’ll leave a significant imprint on the industry as it matures here.”

DAQA WIN

In November 2024, GNO, Inc., celebrated the arrival of a gaming quality assurance branch from DAQA, a Bay Area tech company known for its player-centric testing, live quality operations and in-depth game research. The new testing center in New Orleans will provide custom, technology-driven solutions to game studios, further cementing the city’s growing role in the gaming industry.

Louisiana’s Digital Media Incentive Program, established in 2003, has played a pivotal role in attracting digital media companies to the state. The program, which offers tax credits of up to 35% on qualifying expenditures, helped draw companies like Gameloft, a global mobile game developer and publisher, to New Orleans in 2004. However, the closure of Gameloft’s local studio in 2015 raised questions about the long-term benefits of such incentives, with critics noting that the company did not provide sustained job creation or significant lasting economic impact.

Devin Seto, managing partner of DAQA, said the company was drawn to New Orleans for several reasons.

“We had been looking at other venues,” he said, “and the combination of excellent local talent, location and time zone, and ease of doing business made New Orleans the best choice for us. The support provided by GNO, Inc., and other business entities made our move a lot easier than we expected. We had everything we needed to set up our office and establish our business in the area from the very beginning.”

DAQA’s New Orleans center is expected to create 15 to 20 new jobs initially, spanning software development, game testing and quality assurance. The company plans to expand its workforce as demand grows, focusing on attracting local talent and creating a sustainable pipeline for future leaders in the gaming industry.

Matt Wolfe, VP of communications at GNO, Inc., is optimistic about the industry’s impact on New Orleans, particularly on the education sector. He points to the University of New Orleans, where the DAQA hub is located, as a key resource in developing a talent pipeline.

“Being located at UNO — adjacent to a fully functioning game development program —provides [DAQA] with access to a talent pipeline of current students, future graduates and alumni,” he noted. Wolfe also highlighted Tulane’s digital design program in game art and animation, as well as programs at Louisiana State University, Delgado and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, all of which have strong animation departments.

While many may see jobs in the gaming industry as focused on programmers and developers, the industry has a wide variety of opportunities that may not be as well known, including quality assurance.

“I definitely believe quality assurance is a good jumping off point for a career in games,” explained Seto. “My business partner, Ben Wibberley, and I both started our careers in games QA and we’ve (each) been at it for over 25 years each. More importantly, I see service companies such as DAQA providing opportunities for individuals to get their foot in the door of the industry and acquire professional game quality skills.” T

PERSPECTIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

SANDRA LOMBANA LINDQUIST is president and CEO of the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce. She may be reached via email at slindquist@neworleanschamber.org.

The Art of Good Business

Reflecting on 20 Years of the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce

BY SANDRA LINDQUIST

It’s hard to imagine a world without the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce.

Founded in 2004, the chamber emerged following the dissolution of a century-old regional business coalition that left Louisiana’s largest city without a business advocate.

Since then, our mission has shaped the professional landscape, providing networking, education and advocacy resources to local businesses and entrepreneurs for 20 years. This December 12, as we gather for our annual meeting, we’ll reflect on the two decades of impact that started with a simple vision: Business Belongs Here.

20 YEARS OF GROWTH

Since our founding, the New Orleans Chamber has grown to more than 1,300 members, creating a vibrant community of professionals and initiating programs like the Women’s Business Alliance and Power Hour. Our achievements include the founding of the largest gathering of female leaders in Louisiana — the Women’s Leadership Conference — and earning multiple awards on local and national stages.

Today, the business landscape has changed dramatically. According to the Small Business Administration’s 2023 Business Economic Profile, small businesses comprise 99.5% of Louisiana’s economic framework and employ more than half the state’s workforce. Within this fabric, nearly 47% of small businesses are women-owned and 28.7% are led by BIPOC entrepreneurs.

To meet the needs of these business leaders, the chamber hosts more than 75 events annually, all customized to reflect the shifting priorities of our members. As we look to the next 20 years, we continue to build upon our responsibility as “the convener” – the driving force bringing people and organizations together to get things done and move our city forward.

POWER IN NUMBERS

One of the chamber’s greatest strengths lies in its advocacy, uniting businesses to influence policy at the local, state and federal levels. Chamber membership is not just about individual business success; it’s about strengthening a collective voice to advance public safety, workforce development, education and

equity. Our commitment to fulfilling the needs of the entire business community drives our membership outreach and influences how we determine priorities as an organization year over year.

In 2022, the chamber’s board formally endorsed a successful early education millage, which improved access to childcare for working caregivers — an essential support for economic resilience.  Another key initiative has been the annual Welcome Reception at Washington Mardi Gras, where we engage more than 300 patrons and promote business-friendly legislative priorities.

In 2023, the chamber joined the I-10 Gulf Coast Chamber Coalition in Washington D.C. to meet with Southern U.S. senators and representatives. Our discussions centered on crucial issues like disaster response, flood insurance and costal protection — priorities our members identified as critical for a thriving business environment.

WHAT’S NEXT?

As we look to the future, the chamber remains committed to building partnerships and making our voices heard. Through ongoing initiatives like the LifeCity Keep it Clean campaign, the NextOp Veterans Employment Summit and the Ready Louisiana Coalition, we are adapting to a changing business environment and leading transformative efforts that enhance New Orleans’ economy and workforce.

As multiple economic development organizations work tirelessly to recruit business to the region, the chamber continues to set its focus on community development. Namely, once businesses are recruited to New Orleans, what will keep them here? What do they need to thrive for the long run? And what role does the chamber play in improving quality of life for the greater workforce?

We hope you’ll join us on Dec. 12 as we celebrate these accomplishments at our annual meeting, and that you’ll share in our vision for the future as we continue to strengthen New Orleans’ presence as a global business hub. T

PERSPECTIVE

GUEST

A Way Forward

Public discourse is broken to a point where it threatens the health of our democracy and society. Locally, The Neutral Ground is looking to make a change in how we communicate.

BY JOHN LANDRUM

When was the last time someone changed your mind by ridiculing your core beliefs, or questioning your motives or intelligence? For most of us the answer is “never.” We are influenced by honest, respectful engagement. So why is it becoming so rare?

This is the issue we are addressing with The Neutral Ground — a large and growing core of citizens who embrace the critical importance of healthy discourse and model behaviors that reinforce mutual respect and trust. The group was founded in 2022 based on a shared sense

JOHN LANDRUM is the co-founder and board chair of The NonPartisan Center for Health in Public Discourse (dba the Neutral Ground). He may be reached at john.landrum@intralox.com.

of alarm. The toxic state of how we disagree has inescapable consequences to the health of our country and society. At The Neutral Ground we refuse to be passive in the face of this erosion.    Our founders and original subscribers come from a range of backgrounds, ages, races, careers paths and political convictions. All are people with a wide range of temperaments, talents and convictions but all are highly attuned to the central need for civility in public discourse.

We understand that democracy, and society itself, depend on a certain forbearance. Taking inspiration from similar organizations that have popped up around the country, the idea is that The Neutral Ground can be an example of what good public discourse looks like.   And what does it look like?

• We don’t consider people who disagree with us our enemies. We don’t assume they are less well-intentioned or less competent than we are. We can be in the same room with them without feeling threatened, or feeling we are violating some personal commitment to our beliefs.

• We understand that democracy imposes certain boundaries on how we can influence others. Force and intimidation are outside the boundaries. This leaves persuasion as the main tool of influencing others. Persuasion depends on respect.

FOUNDERS OF THE NEUTRAL GROUND

Stan Duval retired United States District Judge

Kevin Ferguson executive at New Orleans and Company and past president of Young Leadership Council

• At a high level, when we disagree with someone, we actually do the work to understand their point of view. Great examples were Supreme Court Associate Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elena Kagan in their relationship with colleague Antonin Scalia.

WHAT ARE WE DOING?

The group of founders had a series of meetings beginning in 2020, which eventually led to formally organizing in 2022. At that time, we published a newsletter to a membership list but were not satisfied with our impact, so we converted to a series of live speaker panels with advocates from opposing views modeling civility in debates on topics of key local interest.

On April 4, 2024, the Jewish Community Center hosted a filled hall to listen to Caroline Roemer and Ann Duplessis debate the pros and cons of educational savings accounts.  Both were frank, but both were also quite friendly and respectful. This is a powerful example, and we have more panel topics in the works. Media partners WWL-TV and The Times-Picayune have republished our content with commentary. We hope to continue the speaker series and eventually involve high school or college audiences with lesson plans, etc.

If you’d like to learn more about The Neutral Ground, go to TheNeutralGround.org and register for updates.  T

Lauren Hitt consultant

Scott Howard retired bank president

Karyn Kearney communications director at Intralox LLC and former head of the Audubon Aquarium

Charlie Leche attorney and past president of Young Leadership Council

Mark Mayer retired owner of Peter Mayer Advertising

Tarik Sedkey CEO of Pure Marketing

Nathalie Simon special counsel for public policy initiatives at Laitram, LLC

Tod Smith CEO of WWL-TV

Steve Usdin attorney

by

Donough O’Malley

TOP 10 STORIES OF THE YEAR

Illustrations

by

Kim Singletary

Misty Millioto

Veronika Lee Claghorn

SUPER BOWL PREPARATIONS

Super Bowl fever hit hard this year — really ramping up in the summer with multiple press conferences. On June 4, 2024, the NFL and New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee announced that more than 200 businesses had been accepted to the “Super Bowl LIX Source” procurement program, through which local businesses could compete for subcontracts related to the Super Bowl, which will be held on Feb. 9, 2025. In the cover feature of this year’s September issue, Marcus Brown, executive VP of Entergy and the founding partner and chairperson of the 2025 Super Bowl Host Committee, shared his excitement over what was another summer announcement — the launch of the official Super Bowl LIX legacy grant program, “Impact 59 Powered by Entergy,” which includes plans to give

Ending 2024, we have a lot to be happy about. While in 2022, the Biz top story of the year was New Orleans’ recognition as the “murder capital of the country,” this year, the murder rate dropped from 265 in 2022 to less than 100 as of mid-October, while non-fatal shootings dropped by 46%. Instead of leading the country for violent crime, in 2024 New Orleans was 4th in the nation for fastest decline in violent crime.

at least $3 million to Greater New Orleans nonprofits by the end of 2024. “That impact is going into these communities, funding these necessary programs, where people are making differences that matter well beyond February 9,” said Brown, who added that “programs dealing with workforce development, education, environment, poverty, solutions — those are the kinds of things that we’ll be trying to fund.”

Meanwhile the new lights on the Crescent City Connection represented just one of what Michael Hecht, president of GNO, Inc., and chair of the Super Bowl Host Committee’s Infrastructure and Economic Development Subcommittee noted was “well over 500 projects that are being worked on by about three dozen different agencies” to spruce up the city in advance of the largest annual televised event in America, drawing approximately 6,000 members of the media to the city. In 2024, the Super Bowl drew an average of 123.4 million viewers —a 7% increase over 2023 Super Bowl viewership. As work intensifies and anticipation builds leading up to New Orleans’ record-tying 11th time hosting the game — the hope is that the benefits of the city’s time shining in a global spotlight will continue to be felt long after the tourists have gone home.

A Downtown landmark, Harrah’s New Orleans completed its $325 million renovation to make its debut as Caesars New Orleans, a new jewel in our city’s crown. On the legislative side, Gov. Jeff Landry signed legislations known as the “Positioning Louisiana to Win” bill, the goal of which is to modernize the structure of the Louisiana Economic Development (LED) organization. New Orleans’ neighbors to the north also saw an impressive amount of growth this year, as did the healthcare sector. The region also experienced a flood of leadership changes in high-level positions and saw an unusually high number of local banks go public. This past year has been one of growth on many fronts, a trend we hope to see continue as we all anticipate the opportunities that a new year brings.

While we could have easily included this as a top story — and it certainly is a positive change that we are all celebrating, with much thanks to the NOLA Coalition and NOPD — the Biz team realized that we as a region have so much in the way of economic announcements and upcoming events this year to celebrate that we’d like to focus on those. Starting with events, they don’t get any bigger than Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour and the Super Bowl, the first of which was just here and the second of which is on the way. Both put New Orleans on a global stage, the impacts of which will be felt both immediately, and for years to come. Our energy sector is ramping up in all directions as the year featured announcement after announcement of new programs, projects and funding. And speaking of an influx of cash, Port NOLA’s new terminal received an impressive amount this year, pushing the project closer to realization.

By Kim Singletary

BY THE NUMBERS

(MSY) earned the title of Best Airport in North America (5 to 15 million passengers per year).

40,000 — the approximate number of jobs Louisiana gained from February 2023 to February 2024 — the largest gain the state has seen since 1996-1997.

development efforts. The grant will go to renovating the organization’s existing commercial space to support the Center for Health and Job Development, which will provide care for those with disabilities and workforce training in health care and rehabilitative careers.

3 — the number of years in a row as of 2024 that the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

248,130,992 — the number of short tons of cargo the Port of South Louisiana handled in 2023, marking the second consecutive year of net increases in tonnage volume.

$1.8 million — the amount of the grant the U.S. Economic Development Administration awarded in 2024 to the Split Second Foundation Inc. in New Orleans for building infrastructure improvements to support workforce

500,000 — Jazz Fest attendance in 2024, the second highest attendance in the festival’s history just behind the 600,000 attendees in 2001. 133,845 — the number of 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) that Port NOLA moved during the third quarter of fiscal year 2024. The port said that number represents a 19% increase yearover-year and a record quarter with container volume not seen since 2021.

NOLA SEES

Achievement Award to chef Emeril Lagasse . The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport’s (MSY) Director of Aviation Kevin Dolliole was honored with the William “Bill” Jennings Airport Director of the Year Award by the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC). The award is presented annually to an airport director who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in promoting diversity and inclusion in airport business and employment opportunities.

Former Saints Quarterback Drew Brees was the sole honoree chosen this year to enter the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame. ACG Louisiana, a regional chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth, presented its Lifetime

“SWIFTONOMICS” IN ACTION

BIG HONORS IN 2024

usical phenom Taylor Swift and her “Swifties” descended on New Orleans in force this fall for three sold-out concerts. The result was an estimated infusion of $500 million into the city in just one long weekend — Oct. 25-27. To put the number into perspective, in 2023, the 2023 Mardi Gras Economic Impact Study

In February, Japanese chemical company UBE Corporation announced it will invest $500 million to establish the first U.S. manufacturing facility for key electric vehicle lithium ion battery ingredients at Cornerstone Energy Park in Jefferson Parish. The same month, Life for Tyres Group Limited, Europe’s largest end-of-life tire recycling company said it was investing $46 million to establish its first U.S. processing facility at the Port of South Louisiana. In March, Delgado Community College announced its participation in the Clean Power Institute’s first-ever workforce leadership team. Based in Washington, D.C., the institute develops industry-based certifications for clean energy and will help Delgado develop related training programs that will equip manufacturing professionals with transferable skills and credentials in the clean energy sector. In the same month, LSU’s College of Engineering announced plans to drill a new well on campus to research carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), and The University of New Orleans and Bernhard announced the completion of a state-of-the-art solar array on the university’s campus, which will offset 17% of UNO’s annual electric consumption. In April, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center hosted its first Oceantic Network’s International Partnering Forum, which featured appearances from U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy David Turk and other international energy experts. Also that month, the first wind turbine to be installed in Louisiana arrived at Avondale Global Gateway. In the release sharing the news, the Pew Charitable Trusts noted that more than 450 local companies are ready to support offshore wind in the Gulf of Mexico. In August, the Greater New Orleans Infrastructure Partnership (GNOIP) –a collaborative effort led by Delgado Community College in partnership with Northshore Technical Community College, Nunez Community College, River Parishes Community College and Greater New Orleans, Inc. — was awarded $5.75 million by the Department of Labor’s Strengthening Community College initiative. This funding will improve access to infrastructure-related careers for historically underrepresented students in Southeast Louisiana.  In September, South Louisiana’s H₂theFuture initiative, alongside U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) representatives and energy sector leaders, celebrated the groundbreaking of the Louisiana Future Energy Center at The Beach at UNO. The center aims to establish Louisiana as a leader in energy innovation, education and economic development by creating a hub for energy startups. Also that month, Woodland Biofuels, Inc., announced a $1.35 billion investment at at the Globalplex multimodal facility at the Port of South Louisiana to establish one of the world’s largest renewable biofuels production facilities and the largest renewable natural gas production plant in the world. The Toronto-based company plans to use waste biomass to produce sustainable biofuel used in transportation, heating and electricity generation. The project expects to create 110 direct new jobs with an average annual salary of more than $90,000. In early November, GNO, Inc., LSU, LED and multiple partners celebrated a major outcome of the grant, the inauguration — or “spudding ceremony” — for a new, state-of-the-art, carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) research well at the LSU Petroleum Engineering Research, Training and Testing Laboratory (PERTT Lab).  The project aligns with LSU’s and Louisiana’s goal to be a national leader in applied energy research, focusing on low-carbon technologies like CO2 capture, hydrogen processes and sustainable fuels. By Kim Singletary

that was conducted by Tulane economics professor Toni Weiss reported the economic effect of all of Carnival season amounted to $891 million. The Eras Tour kicked off on March 17, 2023, and by the time the last show ends in Vancouver on Dec. 8, 2024, the singer will have performed 149 shows around the world that the U.S. Travel Association estimates could exceed $10 billion in revenue. In November 2023, The Eras Tour broke the $1 billion revenue mark, officially becoming the highest-grossing concert tour of all time.

EnergySector Boom

In typical New Orleans style, Swifties were welcomed to a party like no other that included the decking out of the Caesars Superdome with a 140-foot-long inflatable friendship bracelet. Businesses throughout the city rushed to capitalize on the event, offering up themed drinks and food items, merchandise, and special events. The city’s official destination marketing organization, New Orleans & Company, offered visitors an online Swift-inspired guide to the city, which highlighted the singer’s favorite stops on previous trips — including the bakery that made the birthday cake she enjoyed on her last trip to New Orleans in December 2022 — as well as shops to find a Swift-inspired outfit, and an events page.

Approximately 65,000 tickets were sold each night to concertgoers who packed area hotels, which New Orleans & Company reported reached 100% capacity that Friday and Saturday night and 80% on Sunday night.

2024 WAS A BUSY YEAR in the state’s burgeoning energy sector, kicked off by Louisiana receiving the “largest and most competitive grant ever awarded” by the U.S. National Science Foundation. Focused on the energy transition and decarbonization of Louisiana’s industrial corridor, the NSF grant could add up to $160 million over the next 10 years.

At the Louis Armstrong International airport, Southwest airlines added additional nonstop flights from Austin, Baltimore/Washington, Dallas and San Antonio to New Orleans on Oct. 24 and 25, and additional return flights to these cities on Sunday Oct. 27. Swifties even broke records as they left, with the airport reporting its busiest travel day on record that Sunday. Swift herself also left a parting gift — a donation to Second Harvest Food Bank that the organization said was enough to pay for 75,000 meals for area families in need.

By Kim Singletary

Ushering in a new era, 25 years after Harrah’s New Orleans opened at the foot of Canal Street, the casino was reborn this year as Caesars New Orleans following the completion of a $435 million renovation. The only land-based casino not only in New Orleans, but all of Louisiana, Caesars New Orleans celebrated its official grand opening on Oct. 22, 2024, in a bash that featured a second line, the Roots of Music marching band, and legionnaires and Roman goddesses, both on foot and on stilts.

During the ceremony, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell proclaimed Oct. 22 as Caesars New Orleans Day and Anthony Carano, president and COO of Caesars Entertainment, addressed the crowd amid sparkling fireworks, expressing gratitude to the 104 team members who were present when Harrah’s opened in 1999. “Caesars represents a promise of excellence,” said Tom Reeg, CEO of Caesars Entertainment, gesturing to the coliseum-like casino. “This started as a $325 million project, and despite rising costs to $435 million during the pandemic, we remained committed to our promises to the city and our customers.” Now owned by Vici Properties and operated by Caesars Entertainment, the casino offers diverse amenities across four city blocks, including restaurants from celebrity chefs, as well as a bowling alley and various other upgrades. Caesars New Orleans boasts almost 800 hotel rooms between its two hotel towers –the new Caesars Tower and the original hotel tower on Poydras Street. The destination provides an extensive gaming experience with more than 150,000 square feet of upgraded gaming and dining space featuring more than 1,300 slot machines, 120 table games, a 20-table World Series of Poker Room®, three outdoor gaming courtyards and a 5,700-square-foot state-of-the-art Caesars Sportsbook. On the culinary side, Caesars is also home to Louisiana’s first Nobu restaurant, Emeril’s Brasserie by famed chef Emeril Lagasse, and options by other celebrated chefs including Bobby Flay, Buddy Valastro and Nina Compton. By Veronika Lee Claghorn and Kim Singletary

CAESARS NEW ORLEANS OPENS

Port NOLA Moves Forward With Big Funding for Violet Terminal

THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS is making steady progress on its Louisiana International Terminal, a $1.8 billion project proposed for a 400-acre tract in Violet, Louisiana. Once completed, the container terminal will serve vessels of all sizes in a move designed to foster strategic inland growth and allow both container-on-barge and intermodal services to expand. In so doing, Port NOLA has said it will be able to remain competitive with its counterparts in Houston and Mobile. Thanks to LIT’s proximity to four interstate systems, six Class I railroads, 14,500 miles of inland waterways and more than 30 inland hubs, the new terminal will dramatically increase Louisiana’s import and export capacity. In addition, its location downriver from the Crescent City Connection bridge means LIT will be able to accommodate larger vessels. LIT, whose first ship wharf could open as soon as 2028 (with phased opening through 2031), has received millions of dollars in state and federal funding just in 2024 — thereby bringing the terminal that much closer to reality. In June, the Louisiana Legislature committed $230.5 million to Port NOLA infrastructure projects — including the LIT and the St. Bernard Transportation Corridor (a new roadway that would connect the new terminal to Interstate 510). LIT received $10 million in direct state gen -

By eliminating the statutory requirement that the governor appoint an assistant secretary and undersecretary, SB 494 gives the LED secretary flexibility to create a leadership structure that best serves the agency’s current needs. Soon after the signing of the bill, LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois announced her senior leadership team, including Anne Villa, deputy secretary; Rachel Shields, chief engagement officer; Paige Carter, chief business development officer; Joshua Fleig, chief innovation officer; Ileana Ledet, chief economic competitiveness officer; Mark Lorando, chief communications officer; Chelsea Harris Dufrene, executive director of LED FastStart; Chris Stelly, executive director of Louisiana Entertainment and director of legislative affairs; and Robin Porter, executive counsel. These new appointments add extensive private-sector, economic-development and change-management experience at a pivotal moment in the agency’s history. The idea is that with a better organizational structure, LED will be better equipped to attract new business and more effectively support businesses that are already invested in the state.

businesses instead of government. The Positioning Louisiana to Win bill establishes a private sector-led board—the Louisiana Economic Development Partnership—charged with developing an economic development strategic plan and advising on policies, programs and initiatives. The legislation now allows LED to operate at the speed of business by exempting it from bottlenecks in state procurement and technology services. This approach follows the recommendations of a study commissioned by the Committee of 100, a private nonprofit organization whose members include CEOs of

Governor Approves Economic Development Bill

leading private and public companies, and Louisiana university presidents.

“Louisiana has a historic opportunity for investment, jobs, growth, innovation and global impact,” Bourgeois said. “But we can’t seize that opportunity unless we dramatically change our approach. The passage of SB 494 clears a path for that transformation to occur.”

By Misty Milioto

Following best practices used in states like Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia, the Committee of 100 made recommendations that align with LED’s organizational framework. “Other states have had capabilities and structure we lacked at LED,” said Adam Knapp, CEO of the Committee of 100. “It’s important that this bill was based on independent, national research of best practices in other states.”

IN WHAT WAS A BIG PUSH to super-charge economic development in Louisiana, Gov. Jeff Landry signed SB 494 — known as the “Positioning Louisiana to Win” bill—on June 11. The purpose of the legislation is threefold: to modernize the organizational structure of Louisiana Economic Development, the state agency focused on creating new workforce opportunities; to bring the private sector voice to the economic development conversation; and to allow LED to run at the pace of

eral funding and $140 million in “Priority 5” state funding that will support design and construction activities. Meanwhile, $50 million in state funding will support construction of the St. Bernard Transportation Corridor, and another $30.5 million will be directed toward rehabilitation, planning and construction of the St. Claude Bridge. Port NOLA was also awarded $226.2 million in federal grant funding earlier this year to assist in building LIT. The U.S. Department of Transportation funds come via the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America competitive grant program, which supports multimodal freight and highway projects. The U.S. DOT also recently awarded Port NOLA an additional $74 million through a separate grant program. According to Port NOLA’s new president and CEO, Ronald Wendel Jr., (who took over the position after the port’s longtime CEO, Brandy Christian, took a private-sector job in Jacksonville, Florida), these infrastructure projects will solidify Louisiana’s position as the premier global gateway in the Gulf. These projects also will generate thousands of jobs, as well as long-term economic growth for the region and the state. Specifically, Port NOLA said LIT are expected to generate more than 18,000 jobs in Louisiana and 4,300 jobs in St. Bernard Parish. LIT is also expected to generate 32,000 new jobs nationwide, as well as more than $1 billion in total new state and local tax revenue by 2050.  While the LIT project has broad political and industry support throughout the state and country, it has vocal opponents in St. Bernard Parish. There, residents are concerned that the new terminal will mean increased truck traffic on surface streets. However, Port NOLA believes that the St. Bernard Transportation Corridor will solve that problem.

By Misty Milioto

New Orleans Magazine celebrated its 10th year in print this year, but we were just one of many area businesses and organizations who marked big milestones in 2024, including:

SO MANY BIG LEADERSHIP CHANGES

Prominent area employer the Stennis Space Center announced in April that John Bailey — who had been serving as acting director since January 2024 — would lead the nation’s largest propulsion test site into the future. The healthcare industry saw plenty of new leaders step up this year. Touro welcomed Dr. Christopher Lege as CEO, East Jefferson General Hospital made Gregory A. Nielsen, its interim CEO, -permanent, and LSU Health New Orleans welcomed Dr. Steve Nelson as its new chancellor. Ochsner Health made two big announcements this year as Mary Deynoodt became CEO of Ochsner Baptist and Beth Walker took over as CEO of Ochsner Medical Center New Orleans. On the state level, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana got both a name change — to Louisiana Blue — and a new president and CEO, Bryan Camerlinck. By Kim Singletary

erning board of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Both Port NOLA and the convention center saw leadership changes at the highest level, with Beth Ann Branch taking over as CEO of Port NOLA and Michael Sawaya announcing his departure as president and CEO of the convention center to move into the role of CEO of the Audubon Nature Institute. More movement on the nonprofit side included a new director of the New Orleans Film Society, Carroll Morton, and a new CEO for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Blake-Anthony Johnson. City Park Conservancy, the entity that runs City Park, promoted Rebecca Dietz to the position of CEO.

Loyola’s College of Business welcomed Robert “Bobby” Savoie, PhD, as its new dean, and both the Royal Sonesta Hotel and Canal Place announced new general managers — David Bilbe and Matt Brown, respectively.

Compass Furniture , which had been in business in Jefferson Parish since 1977; the tourism focused publication Where Traveler New Orleans , in print for 55 years; and Happy Raptor Distilling , which closed after four years in business.

Southern Costume Company, which specialized in theatrical costume rentals, ready-to-wear costume rentals, and Mardi Gras costume manufacturing for 13 years;

In addition to the huge leadership change announced on the national level in November, the Greater New Orleans region saw quite a few big changes in 2024. Susan Bonnett Bourgeois was selected by Gov. Jeff Landry to lead Louisiana Economic Development, the state agency dedicated to creating new workforce opportunities. Landry also appointed Michael Thomas as chair of Port NOLA’s board of commissioners, Timothy Hardy as the new chair of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System’s Board of Supervisors, and Russell W. Allen as president of the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority, the gov -

FAREWELL New Orleans said goodbye this year to some notable institutions, including

Northshore Growth Continues

THE NORTHSHORE experienced tremendous growth in 2024. Some of the highlights from across the lake this year included… In March, Agile Cold Storage announced a $45.9 million investment in St. Tammany Parish to construct a new 150,000-squarefoot automated cold storage facility. The facility will be built on 10 acres at the site of the 130-year-old historic St. Joe’s Brick Works, a family-owned brick-making company. The company expects the facility to be operational in the first quarter of 2025. Also north of Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana-based S&W Wholesale Foods is investing $21 million to expand its Hammond headquarters. In April, the company announced that it will acquire a new facility. In addition to retaining more than 100 existing jobs in Tangipahoa Parish, the company expects to create 60 construction jobs at peak construction. In August, Slidell-based manufacturer Beier Integrated Systems — one of the oldest marine electronic companies in the country — announced a $1.8 million operations expansion that will add 15,000 square feet to its existing facility. In addition to retaining more than 30 jobs, the company expects to add five to 10 positions in 2025 with average salaries of approximately $80,000. In September, Lacombe Business Park earned certification as a Louisiana Economic Development Certified Site. LED Certified Sites are development-ready properties that earn this

In March, Ochsner opened a uniquely specialized clinic in Metairie designed to provide health and wellness services to patients 65 and older. The Metairie location marked the fourth Ochsner 65 Plus facility in the state. In April, Xavier University, one of the top-ranked HBCU’s in America, and Ochsner Health, Louisiana’s largest private employer, announced they were partnering to form a new medical school, the Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine. The school will be the only HBCU medical school in the Gulf South. Dr. Leonardo Seoane, MD, FACP, executive vice president and chief academic officer of Ochsner Health, will serve as the new school’s founding dean. Accreditation is expected to take about three years and will be followed by recruitment. In July, Ochsner Ventures and LED launched the Ochsner Louisiana Innovation Fund, a $10 million fund for investments in early-stage, innovative health and health-adjacent companies in Louisiana. In August, Ochsner Community Health and The Brees Dream Foundation opened the Ochsner Community Health — Brees Family Center in Gretna. It marks the eighth of 15 such centers planned across the state.

By Kim Singletary

Medical Center opened the Neurocritical Care Unit — a 12bed intensive care unit staffed by leading neurocritical care specialists from LSU and Tulane — and Algiers welcomed a new LCMC Heath Urgent Care. In early February, Children’s Hospital New Orleans opened its expanded Northshore Outpatient Therapy Clinic on the campus of Lakeview Hospital in Covington. The 4,100-squarefoot clinic offers pediatric physical, occupational, speech and language therapy served by features including specialized gyms, therapy and treatment rooms in a kid and family-centered environment. In April, Children’s announced that its Walker’s Imaginarium — a child enrichment studio planned for the main campus — would be home to the first Seacrest Studios in the Gulf South. The state-of-the-art studio allows pediatric patients to explore the creative realms of radio, television and new media. In the fall, Tulane University School of Medicine launched its first nursing program, and UMC expanded its bariatric program with the opening of a 16-bed unit and addition of three physicians. Children’s Hospital also celebrated the opening of the Morgan Rae Center for Hope, which allows the hospital to serve more children who have experienced abuse, neglect and human trafficking

Continued Healthcare Expansion

THE REGION has two big health care systems, and both saw a lot of big wins in 2024. Just a few of the biggest highlights include….

OCHSNER HEALTH

HEALTH The year began with East Jefferson General Hospital (EJGH), an LCMC Health hospital, announcing it had expanded its campus to welcome Tulane Medical Center patients and employees. In 2023, LCMC acquired three Tulane University-affiliated hospitals. Also in January, University

LCMC

designation after an extensive application process and exhaustive review by an independent, third-party engineering firm. The business park is the 11th certified site in the parish and the first new one in three years. Also in September, the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience hosted its first-ever Northshore event at The Greenwood. In October, Laborde Products announced it was investing $5.8 million to establish a new operations center and warehouse at its headquarters in Covington. The marine engine and equipment distribution company will create dedicated research and development space as it aims to broaden its range of products. Completion is expected by the end of 2025 with operations starting in early 2026. STartUP Northshore, which partnered with The Idea Village in 2022, returned to the Northshore for the third year, Palette — a workspace community for entrepreneurs — announced the opening of its first entrepreneurial hub in Louisiana. Located in Covington, the space includes multiple co-working spaces and private offices, Proactive concierge services that are tailored to

By Misty Milioto

Greater New Orleans metropolitan area — adopted a plan to convert to a stock institution in February. Depositors will continue to hold accounts in Mutual Savings as a stock institution identical as to dollar amount, rate of return and general terms (other than voting and liquidation rights) as prior to the conversion. Following suit, Algiers-based Fifth District Savings Bank (initially chartered in 1908) began trading its common stock on Aug. 31 on the NASDAQ using the symbol FDSB. At the time that it received approval from federal regulators to convert from a mutual bank to a stock-owned bank corporation, the bank’s new holding company (Fifth District Bancorp) said it intended to sell nearly 6 million shares of common stock at $10 per share to gross roughly $54.6 million. Meanwhile, the proposed holding company for Fidelity Bank (FB Bancorp Inc.) announced in October that all regulatory approvals had been received to complete the conversion. FB Bancorp Inc.’s common stock began trading on the NASDAQ under the trading symbol FBLA. After its initial public offering, Fidelity Bank — which celebrated its 115th anniversary in 2023 — sold 19,837,500 shares of common stock. This amount included 586,655 shares sold to the Bank’s employee stock ownership plan, for gross offering proceeds (before deducting offering expenses) of approximately $198.4 million based on the offering price of $10 per share.

ot one, not two, but now three New Orleans-based mutual (or depositor-owned) banks — Fidelity Bank, Fifth District Savings Bank and Mutual Savings and Loan—are converting to stockowned bank corporations. The reasons for doing so include the ability to grow, raise capital, diversify loan portfolios and potentially acquire other banks or branch offices. Three banks going public in just one area in one year is a lot. In 2023, only three banks in the nation went public. Mutual Savings and Loan Association — a federally chartered savings association headquartered in Metairie with two full-service banking offices in the

NLOCAL BANKS GO

Whether you are searching for accounting expertise, accomplished project managers, or IT wizards, these B2B service providers can ease pain points in your company and prove that New Orleans businesses are better when they work together.

Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission

jedco.org

As an internationally accredited economic development organization, Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO) is a leader in building a resilient, equitable, diverse, and competitive economy for Southeast Louisiana.

JEDCO drives the retention and creation of quality jobs, entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment in Jefferson Parish by providing a mix of resources, support, and connection to partners. JEDCO also attracts new businesses to the community and supports existing businesses through a variety of services, including small business financing, tax incentive guidance, site selection, and Parish interface.

Visit JEDCO.org or call 504-875-3908 to learn more.

Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana

With over $3 billion in assets, Louisiana-based Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company serves its business and personal banking clients through its bank branches, loan production offices, trust and investment offices, and business credit offices.

Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company has more than 900 employees across 21 branch locations in Southeast Louisiana including a new branch location in Miramar Beach, Florida as well as more than 48 total locations in 11 states. Locally, Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company branch offices are in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and East Baton Rouge cities.

As a community bank, Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company commits itself to nonprofit organizations in Southeast Louisiana through sponsorships and charitable giving. Each year, Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company hosts a fundraising event, Auctions in August, for local and national organizations, schools, churches, and community groups. Since its inception in 2008, Auctions in August has raised almost $1.6 Million for nonprofits.

Visit GULFBANK.COM for more resources.

bcbsla.com

Louisiana Blue – putting Louisiana first!

We’re Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, but you can call us Louisiana Blue. Our focus is serving our home state as we fulfill our mission to improve the health and lives of Louisianians. Celebrating a 90-year legacy of meeting Louisiana’s healthcare needs, we offer numerous health plans statewide to fit Louisianians’ needs and budgets. We have been recognized for the past six years as an honoree of The Civic 50, named by Points of Light as one of the 50 most community-minded companies in the country. Visit our website www.lablue.com or social media @MyLouisianaBlue.

With over 100 years of building history, Woodward Design+Build has a construction portfolio which has shaped much of the New Orleans skyline. Operating from their New Orleans headquarters and additional offices in Covington, LA, and Mobile, AL, they specialize in delivering turn-key commercial construction services.

Woodward provides innovative, budget-conscious design and construction to commercial industries such as healthcare, education, hospitality, distribution, manufacturing, and multi-family residential. Woodward takes pride in its sustainability efforts, technology, diversity, and lean construction practices.

From its humble beginnings as a 3-person shop to now providing jobs to over 180 employees, Woodward continues building impact in our region. Their dynamic team of construction professionals provides business owners with everything from architectural and engineering services to construction management and development support. Additionally, the firm adds value to their customer’s projects using its self-performing divisions of structural steel and custom millwork.

FROM THE LENS

54 GREAT WORKSPACES

Local

62

NEIGHBORHOOD GEM

Mark’s Mid-City Service Station is tackling the industry’s challenges and offering up a hard-to-find commodity.

64

NEW ORLEANS 500

54 WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT?

Go into a store to rent a video? That may sound crazy in today’s streaming age, but the quick success of Magazine Street’s Future Shock Video is proving the power of nostalgia.

interior designer Chad Graci’s zhuzhed-up new office space at K&B Plaza serves as an art and antiques showcase.

Syrita Steib, founder, president and CEO of Operation Restoration

EYE ON DESIGN

Local interior designer Chad Graci’s zhuzhed-up new office space at K&B Plaza serves as an art and antiques showcase.

BY MISTY MILIOTO

PHOTOS BY SARA ESSEX BRADLEY

Founded in 2011, Graci Interiors is a locally and nationally recognized full-service interior design firm with a focus on richly appointed interiors. According to owner and lead designer Chad Graci, the firm manages projects from start to finish, including budget development, refinement and project management; space planning, furniture and lighting layouts; sourcing and procurement of furniture, lighting, architectural fixtures and decorative objects; paint and finish selections; fine-art advisory; design and fabrication of custom furniture and window treatments; as well as installation, moving and storage.

Over the years, his work with leading designers David Easton, the late Greg Jordan and Michael Carbine helped develop Graci’s signature interiors and honed his personal style. Today, he uses an innate understanding of order — and the interplay between furniture, fabrics and accessories — to design thoughtful and glamorously approachable spaces. He also has a talent for juxtaposing high-style antiques with vintage finds and modern pieces to create rich, curated spaces.

For example, one of Graci’s previous projects included an 1840s Creole townhouse pied-aterre that needed a jolt of youthful glamour. Graci transformed the former guest house

(top) The entryway features cork walls with artwork by Richard Johnson and Hasmig Vartanian. The leopard carpet tiles—one of Graci’s favorite design elements—are by Flor. (bottom) A Biedermeier daybed, a French 1940’s coffee table and a Japanese lamp adorn the cozy reception area.

GRACI INTERIORS, LLC 1055 St. Charles Ave., Ste. 222 graciinteriors.com// @graciinteriors

QUICK LOOK

Number of years in operation

13

Style of architecture

Brutalist Mid-Century by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Square footage

1,266

Number of Employees

3

Persons in Charge

Chad Graci

Interior Décor Graci Interiors

Art and furnishings

A mix of modern and antique, punctuated with art

Chad Graci, at work in his office, is surrounded by artful elements such as a painting by local artist Amanda Talley, a 1950s Italian console, Venetian sconces and 1970s chrome modernist chairs with linen sling seats and backs.

into a residential version of a New Orleans bar, complete with modern flair and an unmistakable layer of patina (think exposed brick walls and plenty of contemporary art).

The New Orleans native received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Louisiana State University and attended the New York School of Interior Design. After working in New York for six years, he decided to return home to open his own interior design firm.

While his original space (located Uptown on the corner of Magazine Street and Jefferson Avenue) served its purpose for many years, Graci eventually realized he needed a larger office with a reception and gallery area.

“I’ve been at K&B Plaza now for about three years,” he said. “I have always loved this building and have known that I would have an office here. The iconic building is like a midcentury fortress with world-class art [lining the halls]. That, and the fact that the space already

had leopard carpeting, was the selling point.”

While the new space at K&B Plaza did not require structural changes, Graci did need display and presentation space, as well as enough walls for rotating art. The new space now includes a reception/gallery area; a kitchen; a storage room; a large conference area with desks and a meeting table; and a sample room.

Graci also added some built-in drawers for stone and tile samples, finish samples and paint charts.

“I love how much storage I have,” he said. “Each client that we’re working with gets a drawer. I also needed a pin-up board for presentations and a countertop for that as well, so that has been added.”

Luckily, the new office space already had most of the decor in place.

“The cork walls double as tack boards, and the leopard carpet was so ‘me’ anyway, that we just had to repaint everything a warm, soft white,” he said.

While Graci — who now has three employees

A gallery wall sets the backdrop for the conference room, where Graci has repurposed an LC6 dining table by Le Corbusier as a conference table. Bookcases filled with interior design magazines and books provide added inspiration.

— creates custom furniture, he decided to outfit his new office space mostly with antiques and art.

“The space is really a functional backdrop for a revolving door of art and furnishings that come in and out,” he said. “The design is overall classic with some eclectic pieces mixed in.”

Graci, who also taught design studio at Louisiana State University, has developed a devoted following for his richly layered interiors. In addition to New Orleans, he has designed projects in Indianapolis, Boston, Houston and Mississippi. T

Graci has turned the kitchen into a storage area for furnishings such as lamps and other accessories.

FROM THE LENS WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT?

BE KIND, REWIND

Go into a store to rent a video?

That may sound crazy in today’s streaming age, but the quick success of Magazine Street’s Future Shock Video is proving the power of nostalgia.

BY ASHLEY MCLELLAN

EDMUND D. FOUNTAIN

PHOTOS BY

Asmall, brightly colored corner tucked into the Magazine Street “artist curated department store,” Slow Down New Orleans may cause passers to do a double take. Shelves stocked with old school VHS tapes and DVDs ranging from beloved classic movies and instructional videos on wine or exercise are on display.

Have you stepped back in time? Is this the reincarnation of the once-ubiquitous video rental store? The answer is no…and yes!

Future Shock Video is the brainchild of owner Eden Chubb. Originally launched in a small space underneath her Mid-City apartment in spring of 2024, the company relocated to its current Magazine Street location this fall.

Chubb said the idea for the company was born out of what she said she noticed was a growing frustration with the state of entertainment.

“Every big company has started its own proprietary streaming service where it can decide which titles and which version of those titles it wants you to see and delete whatever it wants for whatever reason,” said Chubb. “The viewer has no control over any of it.”

An illustrator who runs her own company — illustration LLC — Chubb helped her husband run a restaurant pop-up for a year but doesn’t have a background in retail or movies.

“I just really wanted to go to a video store, and this was the way to make that happen,” she said,

Future Shock Video offers VHS, Blu-Ray and DVD rentals and sales, as well as VCR rentals and repairs, and hosts movie watching events around New Orleans. Membership is free, with a weekly rental rate of $3 per movie ($1 for kids movies).

DID YOU KNOW?

Blockbuster, perhaps the most well-known and successful video rental company, closed after 28 years in business, shutting down its remaining corporate owned outlets by the end of 2014. To date, a single franchiseowned store remains. Located in Bend, Oregon, the last Blockbuster has gained a cult-like following, inspiring many to call for the return of the video rentals.

explaining that she first started buying DVDs again just to access the original versions of certain TV shows, in cases where the only version on streaming was chopped up and altered.

“But the dam really burst when I noticed that if I wanted to watch a movie more often than not, I still had to rent it from Amazon for $4,” she explained. “After all that upheaval and all those monthly subscriptions, I was still renting movies, but in a way that was infinitely less fun. So, what, in the end, was the point of losing these communal spaces curated by real people who love movies?”

There are currently 587 video, DVD and video game rental stores in the U.S. (according to an Ibis World report from April 2024),

making Future Shock Video a standout in the entertainment world.

“Luckily for humanity there are still some video rental stores in various cities around the country (including a couple that are newly opened), and I visited some when I was first planning Future Shock Video,” said Chubb. “The first time you walk into a video store after being away for decades you get such a lovely fluttering in your chest. It’s a feeling you can only get from that physical space.”

The membership model for Future Shock will be familiar to all who patronized rental shops and is an easy introduction to those new to the process. And for those who really want the full vintage experience, the shop even offers VCR rental and repair.

“Anyone who wants to rent movies must sign up for a free membership, and then it’s $3 per rental ($1 for kids’ movies). We also rent VCRs, DVD players and Blu-ray players for $7.”

“The rental period is a week for everything, and we have video return boxes at the Broad Theater in Mid-City, Hey!Cafe in Broadmoor, Slow Down (where we’re located), and at Sea Cave Arcade in the Bywater,” said Chubb. “Plus, you get a laminated membership card!”

While the ways in which consumers access home entertainment vary, the popularity of watching movies and other at-home entertainment options continues to grow. According to a 2023 Statista report, “since 2014, consumer spending on home entertainment in the U.S. has been on the rise, growing from under 18 billion U.S. dollars per year to over 36 billion U.S. dollars as of 2022.”

Chubb’s collection of materials grew quickly once the idea for Future Shock got off the ground, with the store adding new items all the time.

“Once word gets out that you’re opening a video store people start donating movies by the truckload (literally, we once filled the bed of a pickup truck with VHS tapes). We also check every thrift store, pawn shop or estate sale we happen upon. If I’m looking for something particular, I will source it from eBay or from a boutique Blu-ray label. I try to buy second-hand whenever possible. If you aren’t in too much of a rush you can amass a substantial collection on a pretty tight budget. We couldn’t have done this without the generosity of fellow physical media collectors. I even get emails from people in other states wanting to mail me boxes of tapes. It’s incredible,” she said.

In addition to movie and video rentals, Future Shock hosts several special events per

Future Shock is located within Slow Down New Orleans, an artist collective on Magazine Street. “I’m so grateful to Slow Down for giving us a temporary home. Slow Down’s ethos aligns very much with ours. If what they do is “slow fashion,” what we do is “slow media”: these movements postulate that efficiency should not be the ultimate goal of society; that, in fact, a slower, more conscientious consumption is better for people and for the planet,” Chubb said.

FUTURE SHOCK VIDEO’S MOST POPULAR TITLES:

As store’s top 10 most popular rentals are (in descending order): Tampopo, Ghost World, Pulse (Kairo), Thrilling Bloody Sword, Wild At Heart, Season of the Witch, Videodrome, Brazil, Boxer’s Omen, and Spice World.

Returning rentals is easy with video return boxes located at the Broad Theater in MidCity, Hey!Cafe in Broadmoor, Slow Down on Magazine Street, and at Sea Cave Arcade in the Bywater.

month, plus screenings for private parties and plans, hopefully, for a larger space and much more.

“We got our start doing themed movie screenings at local spots like Hey!Cafe and Sea Cave Arcade and Okay Bar. We love themed events. If we ever have a big enough space, I would love to host parties and let people do their own private screenings in the actual store. I would also love to establish a regular weekly movie and have people do guest programming for it, as I have a lot of friends who know a lot more about movies than I do.”

As far as customer reaction, responses have varied from cheers to curiosity, and a growing number of loyal return renters, according to Chubb.

“The customers are great. I love when people become regulars, and I get to know their taste in movies and what recommendations they’ll appreciate. It sometimes helps me decide whether to stock a movie if I know a particular customer will want to see it! The customers also give great movie recommendations themselves, either to me or to other customers. It’s a wonderful way to learn about movies. I’m sure some people wander in purely for nostalgia,

but that’s not why our regulars come here. I hope people will not see us as some kind of living history exhibit or a shrine — we’re a living, breathing video store where people who love movies can talk about movies and rent movies and, most importantly, watch movies. Physical media has stuck around and is even having a resurgence not because it’s nostalgic but because it offers something that you can never get from streaming: It puts control back into the hands of the consumer, and it changes their relationship to the art,” she said. “Physical media is not a regression — it’s a rebellion.”T

MARK’S MID-CITY SERVICE STATION

4440 S Carrollton Avenue // New Orleans // 504-488-0618

New Technologies, Old-Style Service

At a time when many auto mechanic businesses are closing down, Mark’s Mid-City Service Station is tackling the industry’s challenges and offering up a hard-to-find commodity.

BY KEITH TWITCHELL

As vehicles have become far more technologically advanced and the sheer number of them has grown exponentially, automobile repair and maintenance has changed dramatically. Mark’s Mid-City Service Station has also changed with the times yet remains true to its roots as the friendly neighborhood garage.

Owner Mark Boudreaux grew up around the corner from the shop’s 4440 South Carrollton location, at the corner of Banks Street, and worked at the shop for 14 years before purchasing

it in 1992. He still takes the lead on the larger repair jobs. According to his son, Donnie, who is the current manager, his father “knows a lot of the customers from when they were kids.” All three of the staff are family members.

The facility originally opened in 1935 as a boat repair shop. Now, as a full-service auto mechanic that is also one of only two locations in the city selling ethanol-free gas, it occupies a shrinking but vital niche.

“A lot of New Orleans auto service shops are closing down,” observed Donnie Boudreaux. “Meanwhile, not a lot of people are getting into

the industry because the work is so advanced and so hard. Yet there are more cars on the streets than ever.”

As a result, Mark’s draws customers from farther away, which taxes the shop’s commitment to completing work on its customers’ vehicles in just one day. Supply chain issues with auto parts compound the problem.

“We source parts from six different suppliers, plus the dealers,” Boudreaux explained. “Finding parts is one of the hardest parts of the job. Sometimes I have to drive across the river just to pick up one part.”

Another major challenge combines the increasing complexity of vehicles and a widespread distrust of repair shops.

“So many people have been trained by their parents not to trust mechanics,” said Boudreaux, who explained that service people in larger repair shops often work on commission. “They try to sell them stuff that they don’t need. We go out of our way only to sell people what they need. You can make an honest living just selling people what they need.”

To counter these negative impressions, Mark’s frequently includes photos and videos with the estimates they submit to customers and provides detailed information on the ensuing repairs.

“I spend 50% of my time explaining to people what’s wrong with their cars,” noted Boudreaux. “We’re happy to show you the old part and explain why we changed it.”

In addition to trustworthy service, the ethanol-free gas is another reason customers come from farther away.

“Ethanol is basically a filler,” explained Boudreaux. “It can clog up your engine, carburetor, injectors. Older vehicles, smaller two- and four-cylinder engines, they were not designed for ethanol gas.”

Despite all the changes, and the ever-expanding geographic customer base, Mark’s Mid-City Service Station remains a family operation that in turn aims to treat its customers like family. Boudreaux emphasized their attention to detail and their commitment to treating people well, even when they come in with ingrained negative attitudes.

“Our approach is to kill them with kindness,” he said. “We are not in this business to make a killing, we are in it to make a living and to provide a service to the community.”T

Syrita Steib

Founder, President and CEO of Operation Restoration

Syrita Steib is the founder and executive director of Operation Restoration, an organization that helps women and girls impacted by incarceration by removing barriers that block their transition back into the community.

Formerly incarcerated herself, Steib was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison at the age of 19. She later received a full presidential pardon and went on to create an organization in 2016 that has grown rapidly to include 15 different programs and services that offer second chances to formerly and currently incarcerated women and girls in areas like education, healthcare and housing. She also speaks at national conferences and holds positions on multiple boards and councils, including as a board member on the Bureau of Governmental Research. T

PHOTO BY MIKE LIRETTE

SHOP LOCAL

Lucy Rose

HOBBY/PASSION I love to cook and eat!

ADVICE Don’t let the lack of imagination of others kill your dream.

HIDDEN GEM Wags Food & Culture on the West Bank

ADMIRE I admire my team because they come to work every day and get it done with no glory.