Directory aims to give boost to St. Claude

In the latest byproduct of a partnership between Tulane University and a New Orleans neighborhood commercial district, a directory of businesses along St. Claude Avenue has been assembled to encourage shopping in the area.

A directory highlighting more than 200 businesses on in the old commercial district, downriver of Esplanade Avenue, features everything from furniture stores to a recording studio. A $1,500 grant from Tulane is sponsoring publication of about 10,000 copies of the directory.

Students from Tulane's service learning program, which combines volunteer efforts in the community with academic instruction, worked on the directory project with the St. Claude Merchants Association and with the Urban Conservancy, a local nonprofit group.

The students went door-to-door to collect fresh information on St. Claude businesses, which also include bakeries, beauty salons, barber shops, car repair shops and tax preparation offices. Greta Gladney, a local resident and representative of the merchants' group, was an essential liaison between Tulane volunteers and business operators, Tulane officials said.

Nearly 40 percent of the population living adjacent to the commercial district falls below the government-defined poverty level, making it difficult for St. Claude businesses to survive and prosper, officials said. The directory, to be available in coming days at businesses in the district, will encourage more shopping by people within walking distance.

The list also is available at Tulane's Office of Service Learning, located at 1332 Audubon St., at the Uptown campus.

"I hope that it makes people more aware of what businesses are located on St. Claude, and then they can go there and make their purchases," said Amanda Buberger, a program coordinator with Tulane's service learning office. "Everybody likes to walk to where they go here in New Orleans, and it's really convenient to people in the neighborhood. They just may not be in the habit."

The St. Claude district has languished for decades, suffering a large number of business vacancies and turnovers, but many believe it has strong potential because of its heavy traffic flow and proximity to the historic Faubourg Marigny and Bywater areas, where renovation activity is strong.

Operators of the St. Roch Market, a venerable fresh seafood outlet, recently said they weren't aware of details of the directory project. But about a block away, at Henry's Bakery and Deli, which opened just six months ago, owner Dwight Henry is eagerly anticipating the dose of marketing.

Henry, 41, who was raised in the area, said he has long wanted to bring the skills he learned at other bakeries back to St. Claude and play a part in its revival. The merchants' group is bringing owners of businesses together, and Tulane is sending in students who can provide free help to entrepreneurs as they set up accounting systems and seek new customers, he said.

"This is definitely an up and coming area," he said. "Each month, business (for the bakery) has improved across the board at least 10 percent."

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Coleman Warner covers higher education and can be reached at cwarner@timespicayune.com or at (504) 826-3311.