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When you walk into La Belle Maison Décor located at 488 Corporate Drive, Suite 4 in Houma, personal presents are freely given to all that shop the quaint and quirky store. Amongst the packages customers will find inviting welcomes, friendly assistance, and seasonal nostalgia.
Brandie Breaux is the owner of La Belle Maison and her husband, Dustin Breaux is co-owner/operator. As you encounter their welcoming spirits, you will notice a shop that is “icicled” with affordable Christmas and other seasonal décor, unique home interiors, and local vendor surprises.
“If it’s odd and unique…I want it in this store. I don’t want this store to be like a Walmart or a Hobby Lobby. I want people to walk in and say, ‘I’ve never seen anything like this stuff before,’” Dustin said.
“We’re just trying to provide something different. There isn’t anything else like this around here,” Brandie added.
Brandie and Dustin started selling the distinctive décor out of their house in January of 2021. They also organized “pop-up” shops at the Lagniappe Shoppe about two Saturdays a month. Brick-by-brick, a true store front appeared on July 1, 2021, located in the Chateau Plaza.
“The whole idea stemmed from us shopping. Dustin’s aunt and uncle have a store that’s very similar to ours in Picayune, Mississippi. We’ve shopped their store and I can’t tell you how many times we bought from them. So, we decided in January we were just going to get a small amount of product and just work on selling things out of the house, and then eventually hope to grow into what we have now. Then, when Dustin lost his job in February, it was like every door opened,” Brandie said.
“He tried to find other jobs and it was either he was over-qualified or physically unable to do the work because of his disability. All signs just pointed to ‘take the jump’,” she added.
Thus, Dustin travels to Mexico to buy his products from vendors and warehouses that have a unique twist like the curve on a candy cane. He makes trips 4-5 times per year. He then sells the distinguished décor to the locals of Houma and the surrounding areas.
“I try to put myself in my customers shoes…not just homeowners, but also local business owners…local restaurant owners. I try and think, ‘what are some things they would like to use as decoration?’ I’m not just thinking about homeowners,” Dustin stated.
Therefore, whimsical gifts and décor can be found amidst a Christmas backdrop, Monday through Friday from 10AM to 7PM and Saturdays from 9AM to 5PM.
As you shop for whimsical presents at La Belle Maison and other local businesses during the holiday or year-round, imaginary garlands have been hung along the community and within families. Those garlands are decorated with support and prosperity.
“We’ve always tried to shop local as much as we can around the holidays. When you shop local, the money stays local. It goes back into the community in different ways. We have three kids… a daughter that plays travel ball, one that does dance, and a son that is going to do basketball, t-ball, and soccer in the Spring. It allows us to keep our family going and to be able to stay local ourselves,” Brandie said.
La Belle Maison has strung a garland of their own, filled with local vendors to support and allow them to prosper also. Thus, hidden corners of the shop are filled with neighborhood merchants entailing décor that “snow-mounds” with gift ideas.
“It’s local helping local…we’re trying to help out other vendors and other entrepreneurs in the community to be able to get their name and their product out, while also offering everybody something a little bit different. We offer things that make you smile, make you happy, and make your house pretty,” Brandie said.
Ten vendors are strung like multi-colored lights amongst the shop that include; Almost Heaven, Blaine Parfait Custom Artwork, Dillard’s Woodcraft, Engraveables, A Bubble E Bee, Moonlight Carpentry, Mary White, Sassy Crafts, The Sassy Cajun, and the Nostalgic Nose.
Items such as throw pillows, paintings, soaps, candles, and wreaths are locally handmade by entrepreneurs out of Chauvin, Thibodaux, Houma, Galliano, etc.
“When we were setting up the store, we put our stuff in here and it just felt like something was missing. Then, I thought, let’s get some local people in here to where we have that year-round craft show feel in the store as well,” Dustin added.
Dustin and Brandie wanted to market a craft show and homey environment in their store. Thus, they created an atmosphere to aureate a “small-town Michigan” ambience.
“Every customer that comes in, I try and have a conversation with them. I try and get to know who they are and what they may like. I like to get one-on-one with people and try and give them that unique shopping experience of a small-town feel,” Dustin said
A relationship with the locals and the community is fluffed like a Christmas tree. The tree is continuously watered with charmed friendships and branches off into helpful assistance.
“When you walk in, you get a little more of customer interaction. We’ve gotten to know quite a few of our customers. We’ve built a relationship with them. It’s a lot more one-on-one. It’s more than just a number coming into a store to buy a product. That’s what we hope to accomplish. We want people to keep coming back, not just because of what we have, but because of who we are. If you have a problem, you can come in here and we’re going to make it right,” Brandie added.
La Belle Maison is also lit with a “sentimental candle” that big-box companies have snuffed out. When chatting with Dustin or Brandy, it is like sitting around a Victorian fireplace at Christmas time. Nostalgia and antique sites glow within the hearts of young and old.
As you pass the windows painted with holiday festivities by Bear and Bee (artist/ business), you will discover a winter wonderland village that cascades with holiday glee. You will also notice a Christmas tree surrounded by child-like delights. Snowflakes of smiles flutter amidst the plaza as they look upon the display.
“Dustin wanted to bring back that whole small-town atmosphere. When we were all kids, you’d walk through department stores and strip-malls, and they’d have a Christmas display…a window display. That’s what Dustin wanted. We have more kids that stop and look at the window because of all the little things, and there is always something new to find in the village,” Brandie said.
“I wanted to give those kids what I grew up with and what I saw in department store windows…that nostalgia. The parents and the grown-ups that pass by with the kids…they’re faces light up just as much as the kids. It just brings back those memories,” Dustin added.
Dustin and Brandie are hosting Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus that will make nostalgia twinkle even brighter amidst their store. The jolly man and rosy cheeked lady will make their appearance Saturday, December 18. They will be taking requests from children from 2PM to 5PM. Santa will be handing out cookies and pictures with the famous duo is free.
Not only is La Belle Maison lighting the community with local fellowship, but also Chateau Plaza as a whole.
Landlords/owners, Dawn and Barry Voisin of the plaza and American Mattress also want to charm the community with Christmas Cheer and local nuances.
“As a plaza, they’re trying to do things to get the community involved to give the community something to do. I love being a part of this plaza. Dawn and Barry are amazing landlords,” Dustin stated.
Thus, an idea bubbled over Jessica Bergeron’s head, the owner of Sassy Cajun. On November 27th, a craft show was organized by La Belle Maison, Southern Axe, and the landlords. The craft show was the switch that turned on other plans to future events.
The event brought together the community to shop local for the holiday as a 23-foot Christmas tree graced the background. It also bonded families together as they threw axes at a bullseye, played corn hole, and painted their faces.
La Belle Maison is wrapped in pretty paper that sheens with the spirit of community. They are also bowed in nostalgic locality along with Chateau Plaza.
“It’s local shops and local businesses that make a community. Every community has a Walmart or a Lowe’s. They all have these big-box stores. It’s us, as small businesses in Houma, which make Houma unique,” Dustin ended.
To find out more vendor set-up information, contact La Belle Maison at 985-217-4515.
