On Mardi Gras, Beloved Logos of New Orleans

Founded in the French Quarter, the Barq's Brothers Bottling Company in 1898 produced the country's first root beer containing caffeine. These days the company is owned by Coca-Cola.

  Savory Simon is the stout mascot of Hubig's snack pies, which have been baked (30,000 a day) since 1922 in the same location--on Dauphine Street in the Faubourg Marigny.

Established in 1905 on Canal Street, the first Katz & Besthoff drug store grew into a chain that operated all over New Orleans until it was bought out by Rite Aid in 1997. "K&B purple" is still used locally to describe a particular representation of that color.

Launched during the Great Depression, McKenzie's at one time was a New Orleans presence every few blocks, but the last of many outlets died out in 2001. Luckily, a lot of McKenzie's signs live on, even if they grace another business--like Lakeview's Tastee Donuts, a one-time competitor.

New Orleans storied department store had a 101-year run--from 1897 to 1998.

The Jackson Brewery in the French Quarter turned out the local brewski of choice--Jax--from 1891 till the 1970s, when it went bankrupt. Nowadays the brewery contains a concoction of stores and eateries.

Because New Orleanians so passionately revere food, they still mourn the closing in 1996 of the 18 Schwegmann supermarkets, where for generations they  went to "make groceries"--a local expression deriving from the French faire son marché, to do one’s market shopping.

Damaged by Katrina, the 1940s-era Crystal Preserves sign at Carrollton and Tulane Avenues was restored last year, though nowadays Baumer--the sign's owner--makes only sauces: hot pepper, steak, Worcestershire, Oriental and the like.

This family-owned bakery has been baking bread for po-boys in the same building on Simon Bolivar Avenue since 1904.

Operating since 1956 on Royal Street in the French Quarter, Brennan's is known for its impressive breakfasts--thus the showy rooster. After Katrina, Brennan's lost temperature-control throughout, resulting in the ruin of its entire wine collection.

In business since 1862, Café du Monde suffered only minor damage because of Katrina.

To look at another post about the Crescent City, visit: Brad Pitt-Related Architecture in New Orleans