New Orleans

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CHAPTER 6 . SHOPPING
CANDIES & PRALINES
Aunt Sally’s Praline Shop At Aunt Sally’s you can watch
skilled workers perform the 150-year-old process of cooking the original
Creole pecan pralines right before your eyes. The large store also
has a broad selection of regional cookbooks, books on the history of
New Orleans and its environs, Creole and Cajun foods, folk and souvenir
dolls, and local memorabilia. In addition, Aunt Sally’s has a collection
of zydeco, Cajun, R&B, and jazz CDs and cassettes. They’ll
ship any purchase. In the French Market, 810 Decatur St. & 800/642-7257 or
504/944-6090. www.auntsallys.com. Mon–9am–5am; Tues 9am–6pm; Wed–Fri
9am–8pm; Sat 8am–9pm; Sun 8am–6pm.
Laura’s Candies 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. 331 Chartres St.
& 504/525-3880. www.laurascandies.com. Daily 10am–6pm.
Leah’s Candy Kitchen 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. 714 St. Louis St.
& 888/523-5324 or 504/523-5662. www.leahspralines.com. Mon–Sat noon–6pm.
COSTUMES & MASKS
Costumery is big business in New Orleans, and not just in the days
before Lent. In this city you never know when you’re going to want
or need a costume. A number of shops in New Orleans specialize in
props for Mardi Gras, Halloween, and other occasions. Here’s a tip:
New Orleanians often sell their costumes back to these shops after
Ash Wednesday, and you can sometimes pick up an outfit that’s only
been worn once at a small fraction of its original cost.
Little Shop of Fantasy 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. 517 St. Louis.
& 504/945-2435. www.neworleansmasks.com. “Most days 11am–6pm.”