Fresh Market Fever

On the corner of St. Charles and Louisiana Avenues sits a newly opened Fresh Market grocery. It's a cross between a Whole Foods Market and the Rouses on Baronne in the Central Business District. The parking is extremely limited and we opted to park across Louisiana due to the heavily trafficked intersection and the wicked U-turn to avoid an accident. (There was evidence in the street that an accident involving a Honda had recently occurred.)

In most recent memory, the new Fresh Market location was a Borders book store. While the bookstore was rather short lived, the location was home to the Bultman Funeral Home for 83 years which closed permanently following Hurricane Katrina. 

The first area upon entering is the floral area, where lilies, irises, callas, hydrangeas, roses and spring bouquets offer visitors a well-rounded selection. In addition, candles, orchids and small gift items make Fresh Market a nice stop before a dinner, birthday or housewarming party. 

The produce section was as colorful as you'd expect but quarters were super tight as real estate is extremely limited throughout. I was thrilled to find the teeny grapes or bunchkins that I love and at $2.50, they were added to our small cart. 

Fresh Market brand
Meyer Lemon Soda.

We hopped the elevator to the second floor where the liquor department is located. In a pinch, it will do, but if you are looking for a wide variety or inspiration for a cocktail, this is not the place. With this limited selection, it's hard to justify spending several dollars more for wine, beer and spirits that any other area grocery store has and that after hitting the Fresh Market you'll probably have to visit to fill out your shopping list.

We were pleased to see that they had the full line of New Orleans Ice Cream Co. and even a few pints left of the Hubig's Apple Pie flavor. Yes, we added that to the cart as well as four bottles of Meyer Lemon Soda we'll use as mixers. 

Bulk candies galore, candy bars,
a tree of gourmet lollipops. 

The candy section is extensive and frankly rocks. The bakery is full of sweet and artisan breaded, over sized cupcakes and cakes, and the prepared food section is one that might offer a home cooked meal for us in a time crunch. 

Employing 90 and bringing an empty landmark back into commerce, the Fresh Market is definitely a welcomed addition to the neighborhood. It will also be a great place to hit before a Mardi Gras parade. 

Fleurty Girl scores huBIG for the cause

Wendy Waren, with Hubig the yorkie, Lauren Thom, aka
Fleurty Girl, New Orleans' Poppy Tooker and
Ann Tuennerman, aka Mrs. Cocktail with Delta Dawg
take a moment to gather for a photo at the
fundraiser Aug. 2 for Hubig's Pies. 

Thursday happy hour was spent in a jammed packed Fleurty Girl store on Magazine Street, as Lauren Thom moved many Hubig's tees with proceeds benefiting the Hubig's family. 


Drew Ramsey was onsite giving interviews to WWL and WGNO as throngs of folks waited in line for their Apple, Lemon or Chocolate Hubig's shirts and then paid their respects to Ramsey. 


At the time of the event, Ramsey said that the insurance company had yet to come to New Orleans and visit the site. Expected to happen next week, he said he wanted to take the insurance guys to lunch and call in the Hubig's fans to stack the deck so to say, in Hubig's favor. Poppy Tooker offered to help pack the place and ask everyone to where the Hubig's tees in support. We'll see if Ramsey takes her up on the offer.


No doubt the insurance company has seen the local, regional and national coverage of our beloved fried pie factory. The New York Times even covered the story. Here's hoping that once they see the site and hopefully run into folks during their visit that will express what this brand means to New Orleans, they'll do the right thing. 


Ramsey said they want to rebuild the facility, but better than it was before. With innovations in equipment and production systems, this will take more than just the payout from the insurance policy. As a New Orleanian, I look forward to the grand re-opening and will do my part to help Hubig's. 


On a side note, this week New Orleans Ice Cream Co. announced that they have held back release of the Hubig's Apple Pie Ice Cream and will slowly send limited quantities to groceries around the area.

This is a HuBIG Deal

It really goes without saying that New Orleanians will rally for a cause. And last Friday in the early hours of the morning, when our beloved little fried pie factory caught fire and burned to the ground, I knew this was going to be a big deal. 

The profits from each Hubig's shirt
sold at Fleurty Girl shops will benefit
the Bowman and Ramsey families as
they rebuilt their livelihoods. 

This evening to support the Hubig family, Tales of the Cocktail's Ann Tuennerman and Fleurty Girl, aka Lauren Thom, are teaming up for a special Save Hubig's event, August 2, 5-7 p.m. at the Fleurty Girl shop located at 3117 Magazine Street. Chris Hannah of French 75 will create a Hubig's-inspired cocktail and all are invited to purchase a Hubig's t-shirt. All profits from the sale of each shirt will go directly to the Bowman and Ramsey families to help them rebuild their factory and put their legendary pies back on the shelf. Drew and Kathleen Ramsey will be in attendance. 


Mourning Pie Cocktail
Created by Chris Hannah, Arnaud's French 75 Bar


1 oz. Plymouth Gin
3/4 oz. Pineapple juice
1/2 oz. Limoncello
1/2 oz. Lemon juice
1/3 oz. Creme de Cacao


Shake and pour over ice. 

Hubig Sazerac Deshotels
is a yorkie named
for the beloved snack food
and the official cocktail of
New Orleans.  

I learned of the news in the minutes after the fire started from Facebook and immediately texted Mrs. Cocktail, as we were in the throws of the 10th Anniversary week of Tales of the Cocktail. It is the official snack food of Tales. Loving the brand of Hubig's so much, I actually named my yorkie Hubig. His middle name is Sazerac. Several people commented on my Facebook saying they thought of me first when they heard the news and asked how my little pie Hubig was holding up. 


Also, surrounding the fire have been a few people using Twitter and Facebook to question whether or not we should be holding a fundraiser at all for the families, asking didn't they have insurance. To them, I'm disappointed that these words are even uttered. It's the New Orleans way to help out a neighbor and it makes me wonder about the hearts and compassion of these individuals. We can hold fundraisers for laid off employees of the Times-Picayune who received severance packages, but help out a family run business and its employees and suddenly it's a question of the helper's integrity. I pray for you. 


I'd be remiss if I didn't give a shout out to Rouses. According to their Facebook, they have offered Hubig's employees a place in their Carrollton, Baronne and Tchoupitalousas locations until the factory is rebuilt. This is really a true example of the spirit of Louisiana and how helping those in need is part of the core of who we are as a people. If you don't get that, you probably aren't from here. 


Prior to this situation, the little pies were consumed on fishing docks every morning, shipped to friends afar, snacked upon and even eaten for breakfast. We'll do what it takes to help them come back.