Godchaux's Canal Street Facade
Detail and Marquee of the Canal St. Godchaux store
1946 Baronne Street addition to Godchaux's
The Leon Godchaux Clothing Co. (Godchaux’s)
826-828 Canal Street
New Orleans, Louisiana
JAckson 2-8511
CANAL ST. STORE DIRECTORY
First Floor
Precious Jewels Salon • Jewelry • Accessories • Neckwear • Handkerchiefs • Scarfs • Handbags • Small Leather Goods • Hat Bar • Gloves • 828 Shop • Candy Bar • Gourmet Shop • Men’s Sportswear • Men’s Furnishings • Executive Corner
Baronne Street Men’s Wear Centre • Abercrombie and Fitch Boutique • Stationery • Foreign Fair • California Corner • Beach Accessory Bar • Beach Boutique • Hosiery
Second Floor
Men’s Hats • Men’s Shoes • Men’s Casual Shoes • Men’s Clothing • Squire Shop • Boys’ Shop • Little Brother Shop • The Equation • Turning Point • Forward Shop • Bottoms Up
Third Floor
Sports Shop • SportsDress Shop • Collector’s Corner • Carlin Boutique • Travel Bureau • Beauty Salon • The Trimmers • Personnel Office • Interior Decoration - Studio of Samples
Fourth Floor
Fourth Floor of Fashion Coats • Suits • Better Sportswear • Better Dresses • Little Couture • Designer Sportswear • Regency Collection • Designer Dresses • Millinery • New ‘N Now • Fur Salon • Fur Storage
Fifth Floor
Girls’ Shop • Subteens • Smarteens • Infants’ Shop • Children’s Shop • Toddlers’ Shop • Toy Shop • Gift Galleries • Tastesetter Gallery
Sixth Floor
Shoe Salon • Casual Shoes • Capezio Corner • Children’s Shoes • Young Towner Shop • Young Innovator
Seventh Floor
Career Shop • Career Coats • Junior Shop • Junior Coats • Young Individualist Shop • Active Sportswear • Where it’s At • Hole in the Wall
BRANCH STORES
Metairie
46,000 sq. ft.
Edgewater Shopping City (1966)
Biloxi MS
Oakwood Mall (1974)
Gretna
12,000 sq. ft.
Southland Mall (1970)
Houma
26,000 sq. ft.
Lake Forest Plaza (1974)
Did Godchaux's carry any china, crystal & silver or bed & bath?
ReplyDeleteYes, Godchaux's carried gifts, linens, stationery, etc. in spite of its official name of "Leon Godchaux Clothing Co." Many of its branch stores were small, in-line units which carried clothing only, however.
ReplyDeleteDo you have an email I can private message you? I have an item I cannot find anywhere that is affiliated with the store.
DeleteGodchaux's also had a branch at the Esplanade Mall in Kenner, around 1986-87.
ReplyDeleteThere was one at Uptown Square, as well, which I guess opened late '70s?
ReplyDeleteThere was also one in Lafayette,La.
ReplyDeleteI believe the one in Lafayette was of the Baton Rouge Goudchaux stores, now N.O. Godchaux.
DeleteCan you still shop this store?,online I mean.
ReplyDeleteno, you cannot.
DeleteDoes anyone know the title of the tune in the Godchaux comercials? I have an audio copy of part of it.
ReplyDeleteI loved Godchaux and got a charge card with them at 18 years of age. The first purchase I believe I made was on a Caro Nan Purse that I'm selling on Ebay now. The purse of purchased from the Canal Street Store in downtown New Orleans. The theme on my Caro Nan Purse is of course New Orleans: Al Hirt, Pete Fountain, Antoine's Brennan's,are some of the names on the purse. The most valuable piece of it all is the silver label with the Godchaux's name on it that's sticks on the inside top of the purse. Priceless memories. Wow, tears in my eyes!
ReplyDeleteI have an heirloom 10K charm for a necklace that says Leon Godchaux Metal 1929 on it. Can you tell me about it?
ReplyDeleteDavid, the tune you are talking about is Winchester Cathedral.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, I believe you may be mistaken about the theme song that David is referring to. When I first read his comment, I was happy to know that not only did someone else besides me remembers that theme, but that he actually has a recording of it! That piece of music has never left my mind, and I would love to, if nothing else, at least hear it again. Winchester Cathedral is a very well-known song, and, I would think, not be much of a "mystery". I am relatively certain that David is talking about the "spacey" electronic theme that played over video of a sexy woman getting out of a helicopter. That's the main reason I remember Godchaux's after all these years. I still see and hear it in my mind from time to time.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, not trying to argue with you, and I could most certainly be incorrect, but...
Also, David, if there's any way I can get a copy of that music, I would very much appreciate it. I tried to "reply" directly to your post, but nothing happened.
There was also one in Baton Rouge, LA.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, at Bon Ma'Shay (excuse spelling) Mall.
DeleteIt was the Bon Marche mall, but plenty probably pronounced it that way.
DeleteOn Florida Blvd if memory serves me correctly.
DeleteI have some of the Clothing. my dad is Clarence E Godchaux born 1902. Shari Godchaux Luttrell
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure, but I believe that the stores outside of the immediate New Orleans area (including the one in Baton Rouge) were actually not Leon Godchaux's, and may have even had the name spelt differently (Goudchaux's ??). My memories are from years ago, and I may be wrong. Leon Godchaux's stores in the early sixties were definitely purveyors of high-end products. My mother worked at the one at Lakeside in the early sixties.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct; Goudchaux's was a completely different firm in Baton Rouge, and had a fairly messy history in the 1980s and 90s when they took over Maison Blanche and eventually folded into Dillard's.
ReplyDeleteGodchaux's, on the other hand, was definitely the high-end retailer in New Orleans.
That makes sense. Didn't the BTR store have an "e" before or after the "x"?
Deletedoes anyone have a picture of the Laughing Santa from the top of the Goudchaux's building on Main Street Baton Rouge?
ReplyDeleteEveryone looked forward to it every Christmas!
I don't remember the laughing Santa on top of Goudchaux's on Main, but I do remember the large one that was in the window at Gouchaux's on Government in BR. It was there up until the middle '60s. If anyone has a photo, please post.
DeleteThere's a Godchaux's commercial on youtube. It's part of a New Orleans compilation and starts around 3:30:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm6f2CKQv1g
You may want to read the comments above. Goudchaux's and Godchaux's are 2 totally different stores. You must be talking about Goudchaux's who later bought Maison Blanche.
ReplyDeleteHere's some info:
http://www.weweremerchants.com/photos.html
http://urbanprairiewasteland.blogspot.com/2008/11/dead-malls-of-louisiana-goudchauxs.html
http://www.sjlmag.com/2010/05/remembering-goudchauxs.html
You can google image search the store and there are some pic's online.
I have a GOUDCHAUX''S Suit how much would it be worth now 8/ 2014??
ReplyDeleteYour guess is as good as mine - as with all such requests on this site, I publish them, but you really should search for this information on eBay or a site dealing in vintage clothing or antiques.
ReplyDelete-Bruce
Thank you very much. I learned a lot about the history of my city!
ReplyDeleteHi, Love this Blog! This is great, wish I had came across a blog like this when I was in Architecture School. Would of been a great learning tool. I know this probably isn't the proper page to comment on this but I didn't see any general comments area to post to. That said, Was wondering if you have heard of the "Selber Brothers"? Selber's had department stores I believe in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport. The building in Shreveport still stands. I believe the address is at 606 Milam St. I also think they had a couple of chain stores outside of Louisiana. Would love to see something about them on this website as I'm sure others would.
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Brady
Godchaux's had a branch in Baton Rouge at 1500 Main that holds a record in Guiness as the longest department store in the world. Great store. Loved Joseph and his brother Max(?) and Miss Lea Sternberg greeting the customers every day. Those were the days. Civility ruled the day. Great blog.
ReplyDeleteI had a GREAT childhood memory of the Goudchauxs in Baton Rouge. We lived on south 14TH street in Baton Rouge until I got married in 1986.When we were kids we would go to Goudchauxs during Christmas time just to hear the Laughing Santa that patted his knee. You just could not help but laugh. We could hear him all the way to our house. I was a wonderful memory for us to look back on..I have always wondered what happened to the Laughing Santa.
DeleteAre there any archived photos available? I'm particularly interested in the mechanical Santa from the Main Street store in Baton Rouge.
ReplyDeleteThat's not Godchaux's, but Goudchaux's of Baton Rouge, a completely different entity. There is a book about the store (not the best in my opinion) entitled "We Were Merchants" and it's available from Amazon.com.
ReplyDelete- Bruce
Goudchaux's appears in the movie THE TOY with Richard Pryor and Jackie Gleason... It was filmed in Louisiana. I believe Baton Rouge. check it out! Love the site. I didnt grow up with Goudchaux's but I did with Woolworths. :) Thanks Jonathan Kennison.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't the same store as the one in Baton Rouge. They are completely unrelated and the name is spelled differently.
ReplyDeleteSelber's had a location in Tyler, Texas through the early 80's and had good quality merchandise. It was absorbed by Dillard's. I have no details...
ReplyDeleteSelber Bros. had a store location in Tyler, Texas at Broadway Square Mall into the early 1980's. It was a small store but offered high-quality merchandise. It was absorbed by Dillard's...like so many other good stores.
ReplyDeleteMy dad bought my mom a mink coat (calf length)in 1976. On the inside of the coat it reads GODCHAUX/MAISON BLANCHE, as well as her initials. Can anyone tell me who can get this coat the appraised value of it?
ReplyDeleteim looking for the same thing but mine is full length.
DeleteTo Anonymous: My mom's is calf length. Would you know who might appraise minks? Thanks, Lp
DeleteWrong Godchaux’s
DeleteI started working for Godchaux's when I was 15 years old in Metairie La. in the gifts and linens department with Dorothy Mc Kenzie. Paula Mendolson was the store manager and the year was 1978. My memories are very fond of working in that store. Pam Wusthoff
ReplyDeleteWho was their top hairdresser...Mr. Guy? Mr. Earl?
DeletePlease let me know how I may contact you regarding an item.
ReplyDeleteMy email address is bakgraphics@comcast.net
ReplyDeleteWhat a great surprise it was to find this beautifully done page about Godchaux's! My Mo-mo worked there for many years and it was always exciting for me when I'd go up to what she called "my floor" and her department, Ladies Finery, where the mink stoles she sold were quite the thing -- now, the one I inherited sleeps in my closet, LOL. Thank you, Bak -- I will be showing my family this page tonight, and it will prompt some stories about her and my summers in NO, so thank you for that effect also!
ReplyDeleteHow kind, Paula!
ReplyDeleteI am happy that you like the page. Of course, there is a lot more to do and as time goes by I will embellish it further. It's nice to remember our parents and the special things they brought to our lives.
-Bruce
My great grandfather was a prominent tailor at Godchaux's. Is there a comprehensive history of the store? We are tracing our Bolian family history.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother was a seamstress there too. She worked there in the ‘20’s. She married one of the factory managers and their second son’s middle name is Leon.
DeleteI have a size large coat, fur only name tag in back. Closure located at center chest both sides of jacket, could be moved as well. Have extra closure pieces. I have no idea what this is worth, or where to sell. Can someone please help.
ReplyDeleteWe lived in Baton Rouge,La all our lives til I married in 1986. I remember fondly every year at Christmas time we would go to Goudchaux's to see the Laughing Santa that sat on top of the store. We would sit in the car for hours just listening to him laugh and you had no choice but to laugh too. We lived on South 14TH street there at Government street down by 688 Parts and Service, and could hear him laughing all the way to our house. Do you know what happened to that Santa Claus? It was such a GREAT childhood memory
ReplyDeleteOf course, this is a different store. You are referring to Goudchaux's of Baton Rouge, separate from the high-end New Orleans specialty store featured here.
ReplyDelete- Bruce
I have some interesting letters from Leon Godchaux to his sugar chemist. They have the New Orleans store address as well as the Reserve sugar refinery address on them. In each, Godchaux makes references to the presence or absence of yellow fever epidemics, and in one, he urges the chemist to bypass New Orleans because of the disease. Could anyone give me the value of such letters? I treasure them as a student of New Orleans history. I purchased them on Ebay years ago. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMy great-grandfather, George Taylor, came to New Orleans in 1870 with a load of sugar mill machinery from England. After installation, he stayed for the next 25 years to oversee operation and maintenance of the plant. I believe it was Godchaux Sugar. Do your letters reference this at all? Please reply to marciacecil@hotmail.com
DeleteGreat blog page. I have fond memories of Godchaux's. My grandmother worked their in the early 70's when I was a child. My memory was her working at a Godchaux's on S. Carrollton near where the Costco is now (specifically Dublin & Palmetto?). I vaguely remember this being a location, but I was a young child and could be worng.
ReplyDeleteI have a hat and the original hat box from Godchaux's. I found it in my Mother's things after she passed (I have no idea where she got it). Can post picture if anyone is interested in seeing it.
ReplyDeleteI worked in the men's suit dept at Godchaux's on Canal back in 1980, my first job out of college.
ReplyDeleteThe lead manager in the suit dept was a Cuban guy, I believe his name was Amondo or something similar to that
The interesting thing about this dept was that none of the salesmen like each other. Everyone seemed to be cold to one another.
was there a tea room at the canal street store?
ReplyDelete