Walk to Shopping Near New Orleans Jazz Festival
3 Local-owned Food Stores Within 4 Blocks of Jazz and Heritage Fest
Apr 10, 2009
New Orleanians do not grocery shop. They “make groceries”. Visitors to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival can make their own groceries where the locals do. After a full day of music at the Fest, follow Sauvage Street south out of the Fest’s Sauvage Street Gate and turn right on Ponce de Leon Street. Follow the crowd of walkers up “Ponce” three blocks west to the corner of Esplanade Avenue. All three of these businesses are by the Festival Shuttle bus pick-up and drop-off areas.
“Making Groceries” for Jazz Fest-Goers
- Swirl, 3143 Ponce de Leon Street, opens at 11:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday. “Sensational” wines are their stock in trade. Since the Festival closes around 7:00 p.m. each day plan a stop by Swirl on Thursday or Friday evening before it closes at 8:00 p.m. (The shop closes at 7:00 p.m., on Saturdays.) Pick up a fabulous wine to share at dinner or pour at a later evening jam session.
- Canseco’s Market, 3135 Esplanade Avenue, is literally next door to Swirl. It is a locally-owned, full-scale grocery store. The doors open early and stay open late every day. The store has the usual grocery shelves, frozen food, produce and sundries sections. It also had a nice deli and meat/seafood counter and an excellent selection of prepared foods and pre-packaged sandwiches and meals. And, of course, it wouldn’t be New Orleans without a good variety of wines, beer and spirits available.
- Terranova Brothers’ Superette is across the street at 3308 Esplanade Avenue. This tiny market with the big name is a wonderful place to pick up necessities, truly delicious homemade sausages and meats, and lots of New Orleans atmosphere. Considering the size of the store there is very a good selection of brands and items and wonderful customer service. It has been called one of a “dying breed” of mom and pop groceries. There was great rejoicing among local residents when its owners got the doors back open very soon after Hurricane Katrina flooded the neighborhood. Call (504) 482-4131 to check their Fest hours. Don’t miss it.
Two Other “Walkable” Spots for Pre- and Post-Fest Fun
In this same two-block area around Ponce de Leon and Esplanade Avenues are two neighborhood watering holes. A related article features more locally-owned places in the Jazz Fest neighborhood. Fairgrinds Coffee House and Liuzza’s By The Track bar and grill give festival goers and locals alike two great options to keep the party spirit going each day.
