New Orleans is Coming Back

Key areas start to re-open for business

By Brianna Allen-Trufant

We as New Orleanians share a particular way of life that is often misunderstood by non-natives and tourists. We gather a certain way, we eat certain foods from certain places at specific times and since August 29, 2005, we all have been deprived of that. I, being a native New Orleanian, can most definitely sympathize and this is why I have decided to dedicate this article to exposing the parts of our culture and life that have returned to normal.

Beginning with what we all would probably agree upon as the most important and most missed part of  “big-easy” culture, is the food. A large percentage of restaurants and grocers have yet to return and/or make public their plans regarding their businesses. However, many are open and in need of business. Being born and raised here, I am aware that there are many venues that I have not exposed myself to yet. The primary reason for this is that I, like many of my neighbors, tend to be set in my ways.  The age-old “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” mentality has caused me to leave most of the roughly 3500 existing pre-Katrina restaurants unexplored. I take the fact that as of now only 500-1000 of them have opened as an opportunity to try a few new things.

 One of the most heavily devastated parts of the city, New Orleans East, has had quite a struggle in rebuilding and repopulating. Most of its residents were middle class blacks who for many reasons have decided not to or could not afford to return to the city. One major part of Eastern New Orleans culture that has fought to return is Castnet Seafood, located at 10826-˝ Hayne Blvd. If anyone is familiar with the Lent season in New Orleans, then they must also be familiar with Castnet Seafood. Pre-Katrina Friday night lines were often out the door and around the corner for hot and seasoned boiled crawfish and crabs, and fresh catfish waiting to be fried and eaten while sitting somewhere along Lakeshore Dr., sipping on a Big Shot soda. Now let’s all pause and smile as we reminisce on our many memories “on the lake.”

Alright, let’s get back to business.

Another Eastern New Orleans institution is Deanie’s on Hayne. This is the seafood place that many of us enjoyed as an evening out with the family recounting the events of the day while splitting one of Deanie’s famous fried seafood boats. Their location at 7350 Hayne Blvd., is open and ready for business. While planning a visit here as well as many other Post-Katrina establishments, do keep in mind that a lack of available employees causes many places to have to operate under truncated hours.

Food isn’t the only thing keeping residents from returning, some have expressed a concern about available services. People should know that electricity, water, and some satellite television services are available in New Orleans East as of now. Childcare is also a concern of many evacuees in the East. Many Orleans Parish Public Schools are open and taking students throughout the academic year as they return. For anyone with concerns about the quality of O.P.P.S., it should be made known that the school board which previously ran the school system is now defunct and the schools are being run by a private agency. This change in management has secured more funding for our classrooms as well as more qualified teachers. If private school is your preference, Resurrection of Our Lord School is open and operating as of now. Located at 4861 Rosalia St., they are accepting children in grades K-8^th.

For returning residents with younger children, Bright Minds Academy is open and accepting students as well. Located at 6836 Bundy Rd. Suite D., they are accepting children ages approximately 2-6. Many evacuees suffered from job lose and may now be in Child Care assistance programs, Bright Minds Academy does accept Child Care Assistance.

The spirit of New Orleans East is one of survival, while many of its previous inhabitants struggle to return their homes and their pre-Katrina way of life, they will be met with adversities. It was recently reported that 32% of New Orleans East residents have returned and are living in that area, with many apartments available for rent and homes for sale as well as businesses returning, that number is expected to grow steadily as the months go on. At the very least we all hope these numbers grow.

Contact Bri at BAllen-Trufant@b-now.com