On the third Wednesday of every month until December (Sept 19, Oct 17, Nov 21, Dec 19, 2007) businesses across the Lakeview area will be getting together in the parking lot at Robert E. Smith Center on Harrison Ave in New Orleans (across the street from Starbucks) for the Harrison Avenue Marketplace, an Outdoor Monthly Market. The first market was this past Wednesday and I happened to be in the neighborhood and grabbed some shots of this first ever community wide event
The lot was packed with current and former residents of the once flooded area of the city. As I walked through the 400 or so people I over heard talk of rebuilding, pre-fab housing, real estate, hurricanes and renewal. Various booths were set up selling food and trinkets. Plus some home remodelers were there showing off their talents. Of course the real estate agent tent was popular as well.
Drago's was grilling up seafood for a long line of residents. Unfortunately I didn't get to taste any of the food, because all transactions required cash and I didn't have any (though there are a number of ATMs nearby).
The Crispin Schroeder Band played live on the building side of the lot to a flowing crowd.
The City Park Produce stand (usually on Marconi at Orleans and City Park Ave) had a booth with fresh picked fruit and vegies by the pound. Nearby, Whole Foods also had a booth with organic food and community info. Plus the Bucktown based shrimper in the truck next to this booth had live shrimp for sale ready to take home and fry up or boil.
The great thing about this market is the number of people who came out to help support this neighborhood. Lakeview had 18 feet of water in some places and is right next to the 17th Street Canal breach. In the background you see the St. Dominic Catholic Church and School. The Church has reopened and the school is still looking for help to continue its tradition of elementary school excellence. Behind me at the other end of Harrison is the empty Hynes Elementary (where I went to K-6) and up the street on Canal and Harrison is St Paul's Episcopal Church and school. This truly was a family neighborhood before the storm and is struggling to return with the homes on the streets nearby slowly being rebuilt.
Finally, speaking of kids, bring yours to next month's market on Harrison for great food, music and fun.
1. That looked like a lot of fun. I wish that I had known about it. I'll have to try to make it next month.
Posted at 3:24PM on Aug 17th 2007 by Kelly Leahy