Defend New Orleans: Your Shop For Authentic New Orleans Mementos

If you’re anything like me, you can’t come home from a vacation without a bag full of souvenirs and goodies for your family and friends. Picking up original and appreciated items can be pretty challenging, but please, forget about the over-the-top Bourbon Street shops or buying yet another shot glass for your best friend from college. Take a trip to the historic Lower Garden District and find all the gift ideas you’ll ever need at the Defend New Orleans flagship store (disclaimer: you may want everything for yourself).

The store is located at 1101 First Street (intersection of First St. & Magazine Street) and is open Monday-Saturday, 11 AM – 6 PM, and Sunday 12 PM – 5 PM. You can find all of their merchandise online; browse the website for excellent info on local goings-on and additional local retailers where you can find DNO items.

I caught up with Jac Currie, the founder and owner of Defend New Orleans, and here’s what he had to tell us about his company, his concept, and his city.

Nikki Carter: Tell us a little about the history and making of Defend New Orleans.

Jac Currie: Defend New Orleans started in 2003 as a t-shirt project. We [Jac and Paul Cianciulli, who now lives in CA] sold them at local shops and weekend art markets. A year later, we started making stickers and giving them out to friends, putting them in bar bathrooms, etc. The stickers were a serious tipping point for the brand. We were inspired to see so much support and learn that so many people felt the same way we do: New Orleans is a magical place and we will do anything to preserve and promote our culture here.

NC: Can you shed some light on DNO’s involvement in the New Orleans community?  What are some of the groups that DNO supports with its revenue?

JC: Driven by a sense of responsibility and love for the city, in 2005 we started donating money from the sales to various non-profits in town. That year, we donated 100% of revenue to national and local groups that were working on re-building efforts. Over the last few years, we have scaled our involvement back to a few local, cultural groups. Currently, we donate 20% of our profits to different groups and causes in NOLA. The Gulf Restoration Network, Sweet Home New Orleans, and Louis Armstrong Jazz Camp are our most consistent partners. Additionally, we are passionate about responsible production and supply cycles. Most of our products are made in New Orleans or the USA and the store is stocked with regionally sourced crafts, art, and vintage items. We’re constantly working on improving this aspect of our business.

NC: What are your favorite in-store items to recommend as souvenirs?

JC: We have a great selection of local books and one-of-a-kind vintage finds. Chances are, you’ll be able to browse and find something related to New Orleans that will be appealing to someone back home.

NC: What do you love most about New Orleans?

JC: There is a special attention to friends, family, and daily living that is hard to find elsewhere. We’re really happy to be part of an inspiring community of engaged artists, musicians, and New Orleanians. It’s nice knowing that we’re not the only ones with this strong sense of ‘home’ – it’s universal here.

Take a peek inside their flagship store on Magazine Street with these photos taken by photographer Jana Mahoney!

 

Tagged as: defend new orleans, lower garden district, Magazine Street, New Orleans, New Orleans Shopping, NOLA, Shopping