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David's Found Objects
New Orleans
Like any good Decatur Street shop, the stock here initially seems overwhelming, requiring a careful prowl through the small-ish shops nooks. Excellent old dishware and other home items are prominent. The owner is most knowledgeable about local history, and often has vintage Mardi Gras and other New Orleans historical items available, and is happy to discuss them with customers.Like any good Decatur Street shop, the stock here initially

Diane Genre Oriental Art and Antiques
New Orleans
If all of the 18th- and 19th-century European antiques in the stores along Royal are starting to look the same, it's time to step into Diane Genre's shop. By comparison, the atmosphere in here seems as delicate as one of the ancient East Asian porcelains on display. Hold your breath and get an eyeful of furniture, 18th-century Japanese woodblock prints, and a world-class collection of Chinese and Japanese textiles. There are also scrolls, screens, engravings, and lacquers.If all of the 18th- and 19th-century European antiques in

Esoterica
New Orleans
This is the hip witch store for all your occult needs. Well, maybe not all, but they cover both pagan witch and voodoo rituals with their potions, herbs, gris-gris bags, and selection of related books plus similar magical and death-oriented jewelry.This is the hip witch store for all your occult

FAB, Faubourg Marigny Art & Books
New Orleans
This well-stocked gay and lesbian bookstore also carries some local titles. It has a used section, CDs, posters, cards, and gifts (all with a more or less gay or lesbian slant) and holds regular readings and signings. The staff makes this a fine resource center -- you can call them for local gay and lesbian info. They have recently added a collection of gay- and lesbian-themed figurative art on display and available for sale. They are open quite late every day, right on Frenchman Street, providing an incongruous contrast to the club hopping around them.This well-stocked gay and lesbian bookstore also carries some local

Faulkner House Books
New Orleans
This shop is on a lot of walking tours of the French Quarter because it's where Nobel prize-winner William Faulkner lived while he was writing his early works Mosquitoes and Soldiers' Pay. Those who step inside instead of just snapping a photo and walking on will find something remarkable: possibly the best selection per square foot of any bookstore in the whole wide world, with every bit of shelf space occupied by a book that's both highly collectible and of literary value. The shop holds a large collection of Faulkner first editions and rare and first-edition classics by many other authors, and it has a particularly comprehensive collection of New Orleans-related work. Taking up one room and a hallway, Faulkner House feels like a portion of somebody's private home -- which it is -- but the selection of books here shows the art that is in bookselling.This shop is on a lot of walking tours of

Fleur de Paris and Fleur de Paris Millinery
New Orleans
Remember when a woman was simply not dressed unless she wore a hat? Help bring back those times by patronizing this shop, which makes hand-blocked, stylishly trimmed hats. Think you aren't a hat person? The experts here can take one look at any head and face and find the right style to fit it. Expensive, but works of art often are. They will also stay open late and even bring in champagne for special parties! Additionally, you can find 25 years worth of experience in their ever-changing collection of vintage gowns. The 1920s and 1930s elegance on display constantly brings us to our knees with covetousness.Remember when a woman was simply not dressed unless she

Galerie Royale
New Orleans
This gallery's collection is built around the works of William Tolliver, an African-American artist from Mississippi whose untimely death at the age of 48 in 2000 received national coverage. Tolliver came to painting relatively late in his life and without formal training. Despite this, he quickly became an internationally recognized contemporary Impressionist painter. (He was chosen to create the official poster for the 1996 Summer Olympics.) At Galerie Royale you can find a selection of Tolliver's museum-quality pieces as well as work by other artists including Salvador Dalí, Bonny Stanglmaier, and Verna Hart.This gallery's collection is built around the works of William

Garden District Book Shop
New Orleans
Owner Britton Trice has stocked his medium-size shop with just about every regional book you can think of; if you want a New Orleans or Louisiana-specific book, no matter what the exact focus (interiors, exteriors, food, Creoles, you name it), you should be able to find it here. This is also where Anne Rice does book signings whenever she has a new release. They usually have autographed copies of her books plus fancy special editions of Rice titles that they publish themselves and a large selection of signed books by local (such as Poppy Z. Brite) and nonlocal authors (from Clive Barker to James Lee Burke).Owner Britton Trice has stocked his medium-size shop with just

Harris Antiques
New Orleans
Harris features 18th- and 19th-century European fine art and antiques, jewelry, grandfather clocks, French mantle clocks, bronzes and marbles. The company is a long-standing family-run business; it has helped many younger collectors make some of their initial purchases.Harris features 18th- and 19th-century European fine art and antiques,

Hoi Polloi
New Orleans
Feeling a little underdressed compared to those well-put-together Southern ladies? Forgot to pack that little extra something needed to pull your outfit together? Here's your solution. A feminine boutique with stylish quality hats, scarves, purses, jewelry, and more. It's fun to poke around in, because the products are all interesting and playful.Feeling a little underdressed compared to those well-put-together Southern ladies?

Hoover Watches & Jewels
New Orleans
A clever and not unreasonably priced collection of antique and contemporary jewelry and watches, chosen with considerable care. As lagniappe, owner Stacy Hoover loves to give tourists all kinds of insider tips to New Orleans.A clever and not unreasonably priced collection of antique and

House of Lounge
New Orleans
If you want to be a couch potato, you might as well be a well-dressed one. Or do you want to treat your humble bedroom more like a boudoir? House of Lounge offers all sorts of silky robes and impressive "hostess gowns," plus sexy lingerie (and admittedly, there isn't much difference between the categories).If you want to be a couch potato, you might

Hove
New Orleans
Founded in 1931, Hove is the oldest perfumery in the city. It features all-natural scents (except the musk, which is synthetic), and the selection is almost overwhelming. Strips with various options, for both men and women, are laid out to help you. They have some original creations ("Kiss in the Dark") and some very Southern smells, such as vetiver and tea olive. This is the place to establish your signature scent, and a good choice for unique presents for people back home. They also do Internet sales -- and in fact, were up and running with same mere days after Katrina! Lit buffs will be amused by the letter from author Tom Robbins, confirming that the shop in his Jitterbug Perfume was more or less based on Hove's appearance.Founded in 1931, Hove is the oldest perfumery in the

Ida Manheim Antiques
New Orleans
At this gallery you'll find an enormous collection of Continental, English, and Oriental furnishings along with porcelains, jade, silver, and fine paintings, and sometimes attitude to match. The store is also the agent for Boehm Birds.At this gallery you'll find an enormous collection of Continental,

Jack Sutton Antiques
New Orleans
In some ways the Suttons are to jewelry and antiques what the Brennans are to food: one family, different businesses. There are a number of Suttons around New Orleans, mostly on Royal. This one, our favorite, specializes in jewelry and objects. The selection of estate jewelry ("estate" meaning older than yesterday but less than 100 years) is often better than that at other antiques stores -- the author's engagement ring came from here -- but due to the ebb and flow of the estate business, particularly post-Katrina, you can never be sure what may be offered.In some ways the Suttons are to jewelry and antiques

Jeantherapy
New Orleans
No fashion-conscious teenage girl will want to miss this store, which sells just about every single trendy brand of blue jeans, from Seven to Juicy to True Religion and back again, none of which has a zipper that rises more than 4 inches or looks good on anyone over 17 or 105 pounds. Perhaps it was just the day we went. Or all the meals we had eaten. There is also a good selection of lovely soft cotton fashion T-shirts.No fashion-conscious teenage girl will want to miss this store,

Katy Beh Contemporary Jewelry
New Orleans
The modern design of the store's structure sets the stage for what is housed within. Katy Beh, herself a jewelry artist, personally selected pieces made by celebrated designers and fresh new talent from across the U.S. Bring in your own stones to be remade into a distinctive piece or choose a new luxurious gold, silver, or gemstone item.The modern design of the store's structure sets the stage

Keil's Antiques
New Orleans
Keil's was established in 1899 and is currently run by the fourth generation of the founding family. The shop has a considerable collection of 18th- and 19th-century French and English furniture, chandeliers, jewelry, and decorative items. This is our choice for antiques browsing, because somewhere on these three crowded floors (and more in a warehouse), there is something for every budget, from a $2,000 chest of drawers to six-figure items. Try to talk to one of the members of the family, and hear tales of the doorman who worked his spot for 78 years and whatever other stories you can coax out of them.Keil's was established in 1899 and is currently run by

Kurt E. Schon, Ltd.
New Orleans
Here you'll find the country's largest inventory of 19th-century European paintings. Works include French and British Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings as well as art from the Royal Academy and the French Salon.Here you'll find the country's largest inventory of 19th-century European

Laura's Candies
New Orleans
Laura's is said to be the city's oldest candy store, established in 1913. It has fabulous pralines, but it also has rich, delectable golf ball-size truffles -- our personal favorite indulgence, although they've gotten a bit pricey as of late.Laura's is said to be the city's oldest candy store,

Leah's Candy Kitchen
New Orleans
After you've tried all of the city's Creole candy shops, you might very well come to the conclusion that Leah's tops the list. Everything here, from the candy fillings to the chocolate-covered pecan brittle, is made from scratch by second- and third-generation members of Leah Johnson's praline-cookin' family, who have been confecting confections since 1944.After you've tried all of the city's Creole candy shops,

LeMieux Galleries
New Orleans
LeMieux represents contemporary artists and fine craftspeople from Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. They include Leslie Staub, Charles Barbier, Pat Bernard, Mary Lee Eggart, Leslie Elliottsmith, JoAnn Greenberg, David Lambert, Deedra Ludwig, Shirley Rabe Masinter, Evelyn Menge, Paul Ninas, Billy Solitario, and Kate Trepagnier.LeMieux represents contemporary artists and fine craftspeople from Louisiana and

Little Shop of Fantasy
New Orleans
In the Little Shop of Fantasy, owners Laura and Anne Guccione sell the work of a number of local artists and more than 20 mask makers. Mike creates the feathered masks, Jill does the velvet hats and costumes, and Laura and Anne produce homemade toiletries. Some of the masks and hats are just fun and fanciful, but there are many fashionable ones as well. There are lots of clever voodoo items here, too, plus unusual toys and novelties. This store also sells fun costume hats.In the Little Shop of Fantasy, owners Laura and Anne

Louisiana Music Factory
New Orleans
This popular and terrific store carries a large selection of regional music -- including Cajun, zydeco, R&B, jazz, blues, and gospel -- plus books, posters, and T-shirts. It also has frequent live music and beer bashes -- shop while you bop! It's the place to get yourself informed about New Orleans music.This popular and terrific store carries a large selection of

Lucullus
New Orleans
An unusual shop, Lucullus has a wonderful collection of culinary antiques as well as 17th-, 18th-, and 19th-century furnishings to "complement the grand pursuits of cooking, dining, and imbibing," not just silverware and china (if you can call a French platter, ca. 1820, something so simple as "china"), but coffee grinders, dining room furniture, fixtures such as mirrors and lights, and even absinthe glasses and spoons. The owner has added Art Deco flatware and table decorations. "Basically," said the storeowner, "anything for gracious dining." They have a terrific second shop at 107 N. Main St. in Beaux Bridge (tel. 337/332-2625; Tues-Sat 10am-5pm).An unusual shop, Lucullus has a wonderful collection of culinary

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BOOK STORE
Frommer's New Orleans 2009