SECONDLINE HANKIES

We are happy to let you know that we are again in the business of printing secondline hankies for our customers. The new equipment has been installed and we are up and running. We will be posting a few samples of what we can do for you over the next few weeks and are happy to add this to our line of wedding and party and convention items that we offer our customers.
Just to let you know-we do not sub out our printing we do it ourselves just like we do the secondline umbrellas and favors right here. Our new equipment has given us the chance to offer our wedding customers a more complete package for their wedding and reception planning. So, no matter if you want elegant, beautiful, or fun- loving hankies we can do them for you. Even if you want your picture on them or want them customized for your wedding or convention group we can easily design that special hankie, shirt, hat etc.

Back at ya soon with some pictures to give you an idea of just the kind of designs we will be offering.

Mary Lou

Secondline Umbrellas

Here is just one of our designs at Old Town. Just a note to remind you that we make these to order and if you want one for a December wedding you really need to get the order in quickly. We make these to order and December is a month that finds us extremely busy with holiday candy orders. Also, we want to pass along some great news about secondline hankies. We have ordered some new equipment and should be up and running again in January. We are so happy to be back doing these for our brides. So, keep it in mind. More about this great news later.

Thanks to all of you that purchased our wedding umbrdellas this year.

Mary Lou

Jockamo Knows Gumbo

The've done it again. Another great children's book by Joanne Mehrtens and Pat Roig. And, what a book!

When Ralph and Roxanne learn that their friends Jackamo and his Maw Maw Laroux have the flu they step in to help. They set about making soup for them but quickly learn that the only cure for their flu is Maw Maw's gumbo. They find her recipe and the fun begins. Ralph and Roxanne set out for the French Market, New Iberia, Lake Ponchartrain, Avery Island, and the Island of Delacroix. Here they find all the ingredients they need to make this delicious dish. The preparation of the gumbo will teach children not only how to cook gumbo but also where all the spices , rice and seafood come from. It is an adventure that teaches not only how to cook but also how good it is to help a friend. It also lets children in to the culture of our great state. By the way, you can do more than just read this book . You can actually cook the gumbo and bring the recipe to life for them. And then you can sit down with them to have a great dinner and pass a good time together. Enjoy!!!!

PRALINES AND CHOCOLATES

Did you know that we make our pralines in two sizes. We make them small and we make them large. No matter which size you want for yourself or as a gift -they are made fresh and shipped out the day they are made for you. We especially like the traditional praline. They contain no dairy or gluton yet they are smooth and delicious. We've been making them this way since 1935!

We'll box them up and dress up the box for you- we'll even add a personalized card with you personal message on it. We feel so strongly that you will enjoy our pralines that we will refund your purchase price if you really do not like them. They make the perfect holiday gift.

Here are some tips about pralines that you may not know.

Our pralines freeze very well. Simply put them in the freezer , box, bag and all. The sealed bag will collect a little moisture over time but that is no problem.. Remove them from the bag and let them come to room temperature and their great.

If a praline breaks, just put it over ice cream. They make a wonderful topping.

You can break our pralines up and put them in your sweet potatoes. While the potatoes are baking they will absorb that grand sweet and nutty flavor.

Now here's a tip for those of you who are making your own pralines for the holiday- if it's damp just cook them to a degree or two higher. If you don't they may never get hard for you!

And, don't forget our chocolates. We make a really great rocky road . Our chocolate is smooth and delicious. You will not ever be dissapointed in this candy or any of the other chocolates we make. We have named our version of heavenly hash and rocky raod Lou-se-Anna Marshmellow after the marshlands of our state. It's made with Chocolate, Marshmellews and pecans for your enjoyment. We hope you will try some.

Some of the other chocolates we make are City Park Turtles, Street Cars, (chocolate, caramel and pecans), Pecan clusters etc. Some are milk chocolate and some are dark chocolate. Just let us know your preference.

Have a sweet day!,

Mary Lou

Holiday Shopping

Holiday shopping is as easy as 123 on our website. The earlier you shop the better. Please remember that we have had to turn some of your orders down for pralines the past view years.
The reason for this is that we do not cook our candies in advance. They are made fresh everyday. We are a small company who does produce a large amount of candy-pralines and chocolates-at this time of the year particularly! We hate to disappoint anyone so please get your orders in as soon as you can. REMEMBER- YOU CAN ORDER NOW AND HAVE IT SHIPPED CLOSER TO THE HOLIDAY. SIMPLY TELL US IN THE COMMENT SECTION OF THE ORDER FORM THAT IT IS A HOLIDAY ORDER AND YOU WANT IT SHIPPED CLOSER TO THE HOLIDAY.

We have stocked a good number or childrens books that we believe would make wonderful gifts. If there is a particular book you want and do not see it on our site just e mail us or call and we will try to get it to you.

Also, this year we have not listed all of our larger baskets but if you tell us in an e mail what you want to spend we will gladly put one together for you.

If you wish to purchase a large quantity of boxed candy or gift baskets just give us a shout out and we will be happy to get them shipped out for you.

Please remember to let us know in the comment section of the order form just what you would like us to put on the gift card to those you have chosen to ship to through Old Town.

Wedding umbrellas in December will require at least a 7 workday notice.

Many thanks to all of you that shop with all year long. We always appreciate your business!

Large multiple orders can be discounted. So give us a call.

From all of us down here at Old Town we wish you and yours a safe and happy Holiday Season!!



Mary Lou

Black Friday Sale

Here's a Black Friday deal for you from all of us at Old Town. Come by our store between 10 A.M. and 5 P. M. on Friday the 26th of November and make a purchase and we will give yu a 10% discount on your entire purchase! The only exclusion on the discount is on any postage fees on items you may purchase for us to ship out for you. If you are ordering online simply mention this blog and we will mail you a check for the 10% discount amount along with the item you buy. If you are mailing the item you purchase as a holiday gift just tell us in the comment section of the order and we will mail it out later as a holiday order. Have fun shopping

Mary Lou

"MeeMaw Swallows Mardi Gras" is the latest book creation by Joanne Mehrtens and Pat Roig.

Their new book has our two favorite New Orelans roaches, Ralph and Roxanne, trying to get their MeeMaw to understand just what Mardi Gras is all about. As the Reroach Brass Band plays their way through the parade season Mee Maw eats her way through it. It seems that no matter what Ralph or Roxanne bring her she just swallows it and still doesn't know what the celebration is all about. She finally get it when they bring her a ---no, I'm not going to say it. You will have to read the book to know what she swallowed that really told her what Mardi Gras.

The illustrations are great and will give kids from everywhere the chance to see Mardi Gras delightfully portrayed through their crayola drawings. The story is written in such a way that ,once again, children everywhere will know easily about all the things that make our Mardi Gras so much fun.

If you buy this book it will be just as delightful if you read this book to your mee maw or if she reads it to you !

SAINTS AND MARDI GRAS UMBRELLAS

Tis the season to really celebrate. Going to the bowl , a party or a parade in our town is much more fun with your secondline umbrella. We're making them as fast as we can and we hope y'all have a great time with them. Check them on our website or give us a call and tell us what you want yours to look like. Seed y'all at the big parade!!

SAINTS SECONDLINE UMBRELLAS

KING CAKES-YES! IT'S MARDI GRAS SEASON

Well here we go - It's mardi gras season already. Just wanted to let y'all know that we sell what we think is the best king cake made. It's made for us by the Baker Maid Co., which is one of the oldest bakery families in New Orleans. You may know their fruit cakes by the tin they are in. It's called the Cathedral Tin and their fruit cakes are excellent. I mention this as their tin is so easily recognized in the New Orelans area. They also make liquior cakes for Neiman Marcus.

Last year they approched us about selling their king cakes which they have added to their product line. Once we tasted them we knew that their reputation for selling fine food products was getting even better in their new king cake line.

You will find their cakes listed on our website so that you can send them to all those that you know would enjoy a delicious way to celebrate our special season. If you want you may stop by our shop and pick one up for yourself.

Happy Mardi Gras Y'all

Pralines, chocolates and Popping the Question

Pralines, Chocolates, & Holiday stories

We want to thank all who stopped by this week to purchase our candies to serve as hostess gifts and after dinner treats for Thanksgiving. In talking to some of you we found that our pralines and chocolates went as far as Australia, England, Iraq and as close as Houma, Lafayette and right around the corner from our shop. How nice it is to know that so many people enjoy our products.

Another big happening in our store right now is that many of you are picking us the Saints secondline umbrellas we make. In fact our Saints are so popular right now that a lot of the wedding umbrellas we are doing for grooms are being requested in Saints colors.

We have a special that we will be doing for this Christmas season. We will gift box 10 pralines, place them into a gift bag with tissue and add a real New Orleans gift card for only $10.00. If you want to ship this we will do the special and shipping for $15.00. Or we will do the same special in a 20 count box of candy for $20.00 over the counter and if you want it shipped we will do that for you for a total of $28.00.

Now here's an Old Town holiday story we thought you may enjoy. A very nice young man came into our store the other day to purchase a box of our pralines. I asked where he was taking them and he said that he was going to visit his girlfriends parents and thought they would be a nice thing to bring them for the holidays. We talked a few more minits and he explained that he was really going to meet them and ask for her hand in marriage. He was hopping that our candy would help make popping the question sweeter. I hope that he got a yes for all his sweet efforts. He seemed like such a nice young man that I don't know how his girlfriends father could turn him down. I sure hope he will stop by and let us know how he made out. What a happy holiday this will be for him and his girlfriend if his wish comes true.

Hope all y'all had a great Thanksgiving.
Mary Lou

Happy Holiday Gift Ideas

Here's just a few of the items we are working on now that would make wonderful gifts for your family and friends. Of course there are our pralines, perfect for the a holiday gift that brings a little of the great flavor of New Orleans. Then, there are our chocolates. Our Lou si Ana Marshmellow is raved over by locals and visitors alike. A Product were very proud to offer our customers. The Jackson Squares and City Park Turtles are a delicious chocolate candy that is filled with only the finest caramel and Louisiana pecans. And, our Crescent City almond and pecan clusters are always made fresh and are deliciously ready to satisfy your sweet tooth. Another couple of items we always keep on hand for our customers are our pecan logs and divinity-two longstanding favorites at Old Town.

This year we've chosen to offer our Roasted and salted pecan halves, our chocolate pecan halves, and our honey roasted pecan halves. All are good and freshly packed for your gift giving.

Now, here's a bit of good news for all you out there who only eat sugar free candy. We have now added Sugarfree chocolate fudge, vanilla fudge and sugar free almond bark to our line of chocolates. We know that you will enjoy these so we made a special effort to get them ready for this holiday season.
And remember, you can always come by for a sample of our products.

Our New Chocolates for the Holidays

If you have not been in our shop lately you've missed a real treat. We've begun to showcase some of the chocolate candy line we will be pouring and offering this holiday season.
You will love our City Park Turtles, Crescent City Clusters and Jackson Squares. All delicious to pick up now or to order fresh poured for your gift giving. We think you will be very happy with our selection and quality.

Corporate gift ideas will be posted on our website beginning next week. You can order now for shipping and billing later. And , the best part is that you don't have to be a corporation to enjoy this easy way to shop. Just give us a call to see how easy it is to shop with us. And wait till you see the specials we will have.

Just a note to those of you who are looking for second line umbrellas for your December wedding, party, or Saints games---It's best to order beginning now! As we get closer to the holiday season it will be important that we calander your order to insure that we can do these in a timely manner for you. And, it gives us more time to be sure that we can do the designs you really like. Just call Patty or myself (Mary Lou) , we will be glad to discuss your order with you.

Y'all have a great weekend and Go SAINTS GO!

COME MEET RALPH AND ROXANNE!!!!

BOOK SIGNING AND READING- SEPTEMBER 26,2009 12 NOON

BRING THE LITTLE ONES OUT ON THE 26TH FOR ONE GOOD TIME! PAT AND JOANN WILL BE IN OUR STORE AT 1506 VETERANS BLVD. TO READ THEIR LATEST BOOK TO THEM. THESE TWO TEACHERS NOT ONLY READ-THEY TAKE THE PART OF THE CHARACTERS AND BRING THEM TO LIFE. THESE TWO TEACHERS LOVE READING TO CHILDREN AND WE PROMISE THAT YOUR'S WILL LOVE WHAT THEY DO AS THEY READ ALONG

THROUGH COUNTING AROUND THE NEUTRAL GROUND.

WHAT COULD BE MORE FUN THAN RIDING THE STREETCAR ON ST CHARLES AVE. AND COUNTING ALL THE GREAT THINGS YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY.

WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US ON THE 26TH. OF THIS MONTH. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU AT THIS READING AND SIGNING!!!

MARY LOU

Counting Around The Neutral Ground

Guess what? Joanne Mehrtens and Pat Roig have written a second book and what a fun read it is! You will remember these two Metairie schoolteachers who wrote and illustrated The Beignet That Almost Got Away. If you did not buy their first book you missed a great treat for your kiddies. Well, the new one is even more fun. It is a counting book for the little ones
that will have them counting up and down the St. Charles streetcar line. The'll be counting things truly native and unique to New Orleans such as snowballs, streetcars, water meters-Got the picture? The book is a fun way to learn to count because it gets these little readers to count many of the things that make everyday a beautiful adventure for them as they move about the city.

There's a nice surprize in the book too! While those two Zany NOLA roaches, Roxanne and Ralph, are secondlineing and teaching thoughout the book, they are also having a conversation that brings humor to the older folks that are reading to the little guys. But make no mistake about it, the wonderfull illustrations and clever wording will capture the attention of your children and have them " Counting Around The Neutral Ground" in no time.

And, by the way, both Joanne and Pat have graciously signed these books for us. IN A FEW WEEKS WE WILL BE HAVING A READING AND SIGNING BY THEM IN OUR STORE. WE WILL LET YOU KNOW JUST WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN.

Mary Lou

Pralines & New Orleans

Pralines is to New Orleans just as Hersey chocolate is to Pennsylvania. Yes, I think they are just that important to our area. When visitors come down our way it is one of the first things they think to enjoy and purchase to bring home to family and friends. It's always a nice feeling for us when we know that the candies we make are traveling all over the world. Last week the big trip for our pralines was to Costa Rica. They were being used as a "taste of my hometown" by a group of students visiting there. We hope their host families will enjoy them and the other local fare they brought as gifts.

One speceial treat for us is always when children come in and are fascinated when they see us making our pralines. It's their wide eyes that gets my attention. Of course, the sweet smell is a delight to them too. They wander around the store but keep turning their attention back to the source of that sweet aroma. The favorite question of the kids from away from here is simply
"what's that?" Of course, we love telling them the story of how pralines first began to be made in New Orleans. While they listen, we always give them a taste (with their parents permission, of course). There is nothing like a hot praline. Let's face it, there is nothing like fresh candy of any kind. That's why we have never kept our pralines on our shelves in our shop. We are a small enough business that we can continue to cook just what we need to service our customers that day which allows us to sell fresh candy all the time. It's almost a common question is our store when someone says "Where's the pralines"? It's not that we hide them , its that we are busy making and packing them most of the day. All our mailorders are packed just after our pralines are made. That way, we make sure that those we ship to are getting the freshest candy we can possibly send them. This is not a commercial for our candy. It is a statement to let you know a little more about how we operate. And by the way, when we sell our products wholesale to other outlets we always make sure they understand the shelf life and that it is monitored.

Later, we will tell you the story of just how the praline was first made in New Orleans.

Mary Lou

OUR NEW WEDDING INVITATIONS

Hi,

We're very excited to tell you of a new product we have added to our store in answer to your many requests. Our wedding favors and secondline umbrellas have brought many of you to our store for years. Now, in answer to your many requests we have added a great line of wedding invitations and wedding accessories. We did a lot of reserch to be assured that what we would offer you would be top of the line products at the best possible pricing.

Patty and I are happy to say that we are now a distributor of Birchraft Studios. Birchcraft is a 3rd generation, independent family owned business. Five generations of our own family have served you over the past 70 odd years and we know the care and concern a family owned businesses gives its customers is important. But even that is not enough for us to decide to carry someone elses product. We need to be assured that the products they offer us for sale to you must be the best we can find. And yes, we feel that with Birchraft you will be getting top notch products at fair pricing . If you are planning a wedding or party of any kind and need invites or accessories we hope you will look over their line. We recommend them highly. AND TO INTRODUCE THIS NEW LINE WE HAVE OFFERED A 10% DISCOUNT ON YOUR ORDER.

By the way, if you're from out of town and are coming to New Orleans to be married we can help introduce you to our local planners whom we know would make sure that you have the very best NOLA wedding possible.

Later Y'all , Mary Lou

Pralines traveling the world this 4th of July!

Hey There,

Hope everyone had a wonderful Fourth of July. During the last week we were very happy to see that our customers were taking our pralines with them all around the world. Apparently, the 4th is a big vacation time for the locals down here. Certainly, we hope that our candies will be enjoyed by those who took them as far away as Austria, Paris and Germany. Lots more ,of course, were taken around the USA. We always like to know where our products are traveling to. And,we like it even more when our customers stop by after their trip to let us know how much our candy was enjoyed. By the way, we hear more and more from our customers that they like the idea that there is no dairy or gluten in our traditional pralines. It allows for even more folks to enjoy them. Our small size pralines are a favorite in France and throughout Europe. These are always received better in the smaller size candy, so, of course we always recommend this size to those traveling in that direction. The guys in the U S seem to prefer the larger size praline. So, naturally we recommended this size candy when they are bing purchased for a gentleman. We ladies still prefer the smaller piece of praline. And then for groups the smaller candy is usually preferred.That way the person can make the decision as to how much to eat.

Let me take a minit to recommend to those of you who will be needing our second line umbrellas for your weddings in October that it is not too soon to order them. October is a big wedding month for us and we want to be sure that we will be able to make these for you.

Thanks for stopping by our blog and let us hear from you.

Mary Lou

Welcome To Our Blog

Hi,
Welcome to our new blog. We hope you will join us here as we talk about the pralines we love making as well as the other things we do here at Old Town. Growing up in the French Quarter and watching these candies being made in my grandmothers patio is one of my fondest childhood memories. The picture you see here is our grandmother, Louise in the patio at 627 Royal Steet. In fact, her praline shop was one of my favorite places. Later it became a favorite of my children too. To say the least , it was a sweet place to be and not just because of the candy makin' going on. We all learned so much there both about the warmth of family and the sweetness of New Orleans' favorite candy- the praline. Now as Patty and I make them daily at Old Town we often talk of how important this candy has been not only to the history of our city but also to the history of our family.

For now, we will tell you that our pralines are a local favorite and we are very proud of that. Our traditional praline is made with no dairy or glutin and they are our best sellers. Then, of course, there are the chocolate topped turtle pralines and the chocolate chewy pralines that are our next best sellers. And, we will do a chewy praline if you request it or a coconut one for those who like these products. Our line of pralines is always subject to the desires of our customers. So you can always make a special request and we will try to accomodate requests.

Well, that's about all we'll say today on the subject of pralines. Over time you will find postings on our blog on many subjects that we hope you will enjoy reading. For instance, we hope to give you receipes with pralines you will enjoy, stroies about growing up in the Quarter and introduce you to some of the most interesting people we have met over the past 70 some years through Old Town.

Later, Mary Lou