StayLocal is Greater New Orleans’ independent business alliance. We create an environment for local businesses to thrive through research, education, and advocacy.

Staying Power: Local Businesses 20 Years after Katrina

Walk into a small business like Zuppardo’s Family Market, Community Book Center, Angelo Brocato’s Ice Cream, Octavia Books or Laurel Street Bakery in New Orleans, and you’re not just stepping into a restaurant or store, you’re stepping into someone’s story. Business owners are your neighbors, your cousin’s friend, or that lady who danced next to you at French Quarter Fest.

After Katrina, these businesses put it all on the table, investing first and fastest, reopening before chain stores headquartered out of state which pulled up stakes (sometimes leaving abandoned, flooded storefronts behind for years).

In the months and years after Katrina hit, it was our locally owned bookstores, bakeries, coffeeshops, small grocers, car repair shops, supply stores and more helping us remember our sense of place, even if they, or we, were in a temporary space until we got back home. Each business reopening was a sign of life, of hope, of the city’s determination to dance again.

We’re pausing to remember all of the businesses who weathered the storm and its horrible aftermath together with us. The reopenings were a testimony to the power of place. Then, as we do now, StayLocal elevates local businesses and amplifies the voice of the business owners.

To hear from them in their own words, please follow this link.

ICYMI: Weather Insights for Business Planning

Statistics show that forecasting methods and sources of weather information have improved in many ways. Business interruptions caused by weather can be effectively managed with the right strategic approach. Meteorologist David Gilhousen provided tips to learn how at our webinar in April, “Weather Cause and Effect: Insights For Smarter Business Planning”.

Gilhousen worked as a marine meteorologist for the National Weather Service for over 30 years training forecasters, developing web sites, testing instruments, and writing scientific papers. He now publishes daily forecasts on his website and posts You Tube videos. He joined us to present information that inspires the intelligent use of weather forecasts, and took questions from attendees.

This event was hosted by StayLocal together with LCIA, the member services arm of LCI Worker’s Comp, a group self-insurance fund operating in Louisiana since 1989. To watch the webinar recording, please visit StayLocal’s YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@StayLocalNOLA.

Open for Business During Construction

Great news! The City of New Orleans has secured billions of dollars for infrastructure improvements along business corridors. As a community, we understand the long-term benefit that these improvements have for residents and businesses.

StayLocal has partnered with the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development and RoadWorkNOLA to provide support to businesses for any short-term impact businesses may experience while roads are improved.

Visit the Road Construction Ramp Up! Toolkit page of our website, where you can also find tips and resources for business owners, and ways to sign up for alerts on construction projects.