NEW ORLEANS — The iconic landscape of Magazine Street is undergoing a rapid transformation. Within just the last 24 hours, two longtime fixtures of the six-mile retail corridor—the restaurant Coquette and footwear boutique Feet First—announced they will be closing their doors for good by the end of the month.
While the specific reasons for their exits differ, their departures signal a growing trend that has local business owners concerned about the future of the historic shopping district.
‘Heartbreaking decision’
For Rachel Patterson, the owner of Feet First, the finality of the decision is still sinking in. On Friday, Patterson could be seen putting up closing signs and sharing emotional goodbyes with long-time customers.
“It’s a very, very hard, heartbreaking decision,” Patterson said…