Elmer "Lloyd" Matherne
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Attempt to raise rates denied by insurance dept.
February 18, 2010
Mardi Gras is a way of life for those who call Louisiana home and area residents are no exception. Although most events are free to the public, the carnival season is often hailed as an economic contributor, helping small, local businesses pave their way to success.
However, the journey ended early for some of those establishments, which were forced to close down because of decreased revenue. Luckily for others, the wheels continue to turn.
Cajun Enterprises, a Mardi Gras gift shop that sits on North Van Avenue on the eastside of Houma, has been serving locals for years and despite a down economy, owners and managers of the business don’t see that changing any time soon.
Ann Thibodeaux, the store’s manager, said more supplies were ordered this year than last and sales numbers are looking good.
A walk through the narrow isles of the shop reveals numerous signs that read “sold out” and “out of stock.” Requests for black and gold items have also skyrocketed. Because of the Saints’ Super Bowl win, those items were in high demand and disappeared first, leaving a large number of partygoers in the cold.
Houma-natives Cecil and Beverly Bergeron opened the shop in the 1980s on Barrow Street, a much smaller location compared to the large warehouse they operate in now. Cajun Enterprises is the only remaining Mardi Gras-specific retailer left in Terrebonne Parish.
“I think the other shops were a lot higher priced than we were,” explained Thibodaux. “If you get into business and you just want to try and make a living, but not make a killing,” it’s possible to succeed.
Weekends typically draw in about 1,000 people per day, while weekdays range from 300 to 500.
One thing is certain: it gets busy.
Although beads swamp the setup – a must-have for those taking part in the festivities – there are also a variety of trinkets, stuffed animals, footballs and other items, or “throws,” that can easily be tossed from a float.
One end of the store resembles an arts-and-crafts startup, sporting a collection of ribbon and cloth used for making things like decorative umbrellas and embellishing costumes.
But rising costs have deterred some people from entering the marketplace. Compared to recent years, prices on products have increased for sellers and buyers, according to the manager. “But that really hasn’t stopped people from buying. When Mardi Gras rolls around, people really don’t care that much about price,” she added.
Most items are imported from China, which increases the amount of money local outlets have to spend to get the goodies on their shelves. Since the carnival season only comes once a year, profit is everything and predictability is key. Over the years, Thibodeaux has learned to gauge market conditions, allowing her to make crucial decisions on what needs to be ordered.
“After you’ve been in [the industry] so long, you just sort of know what items are going to be popular,” she said. “We also look at what sold well in past years.”
Vendors aid the process by sending samples. “That way, we can see the products for ourselves,” noted Thibodeaux.
In order to get the right price, the crew conducts a little research by exploring New Oreleans-based shops, which, for the most part, determine market trends.
The process begins around August each year, as the shop begins to receive its first few shipments. The workload is divvied up between the manager and the owners until January, when about 12 more employees are hired on, many of whom have worked at the store nearly 10 years and are sure to return.
When peak season arrives, Thibodeaux said she spends more than 40 hours a week making sure everything is on track. In the past week, she’s put in about 65 hours.
“I’ve been here for 11 years, but I’ve been in Mardi Gras retail for 21 years,” she explained. “I love it.”
Newcomer Darlene Altin mirrored those thoughts. While only working at Cajun Enterprises for a year, “…it’s great. It’s like a party when the crowds start coming in,” she said. “If they ask me to come back, I definitely will.”
What could have been called a “Mom and Pop” operation years ago has steadily evolved into a well-known venue for area residents looking to celebrate Mardi Gras in style. While the last few days have been the busiest, the crowds will soon dwindle, as the shop ceases operations and prepares for next year.
Janet Travis (left) checks out with the help of store owner Beverly Bergeron at Cajun Enterprises in Houma. The retailer is a one-stop shop for everything Mardi Gras. * Photo by MICHAEL DAVIS
