The Krewe of Red Beans announced that from January 6 to February 16, 2021, Magazine Street will be the only place to purchase merchandise for “Krewe of Red Beans / Hire A Mardi Gras Artist.” The Krewe initiative, “Hire A Mardi Gras Artist” is about putting the laid-off Mardi Gras artists back to work.
As an extension of this initiative, the Krewe has partnered with the Magazine Street Merchants Association to sell special products that celebrate its “Hire A Mardi Gras Artist” project. This support will kick off Carnival season on January 6, New Orleans’ traditional Twelfth Night. The Krewe merchandise for sale includes T-shirts, hoodies and flags, all which relate to the “Hire A Mardi Gras Artist” campaign.
Twenty plus businesses on Magazine Street will participate and the Krewe hopes New Orleanians will join in to support small businesses along Magazine Street. A list of participating stores is attached, and they will all be identified with a Krewe of Red Beans flag or “Hire A Mardi Gras Artist” signage.
“We are also excited to support local businesses – and the two ‘professionally designed Float Houses’ that are coming to Magazine Street also,” said Krewe of Red Beans founder Devin DeWulf. The first two will be located at Mignon Faget at 3801 Magazine, and McEnery Realty at 4901 Magazine Street, at the corner of Upperline. They should be available to view by mid January.
Musicians will be employed as well – and the Krewe is renting out a section of Tipitina’s as part of this initiative. Tipitina’s will become part of our “local supply chain,” along with local printers and artists who have created this special merchandise. Six jobs will be created for musicians who will work as the “couriers” to resupply the Magazine Street shops, as inventory needs to be replenished.
“We encourage New Orleanians to support the “Hire A Mardi Gras Artist” initiative + to shop local! Make “Small Business Saturday” everyday! And help us create jobs,” added DeWulf.
In November, the Krewe of Red Beans canceled all its parades in 2021 to avoid spreading the COVID-19 virus. In an effort to keep both the marching members and the audiences safe, the krewe’s three parades will not march on Lundi Gras, February 15, 2021. This includes the Krewe of Red Beans; the Dead Beans parade; and its newest parade, Brazilian-themed Feijao.
Participating businesses are as follows:
Audubon Institute/Audubon Zoo gift shop; The Bead Shop; Cole Pratt Gallery; CR Coffee Shop; Dark Garden; Dat Dog; Feet First; Fleurty Girl; Home Malone; Magazine Street Framing; Magic Box Toys; Magpie; Miss Claudia’s Vintage Clothing; Miss Smarty Pants; Mignon Faget; Nadeau, Furniture with a Soul; NOLA FLORA; Pack Rat Shipping; Potsalot Pottery; Red Gravy; and The Ruby Slipper Café.
