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We're now standing in front of the Market Cafe in the Vegetable
Market (the original location of the Morning Call Coffee Stand
for you old-timers). This is a three-way corner: Decatur continues
downriver, but splits to the right into N. Peters Street here
at the intersection of St. Phillip St. As we turn towards the
river, there is a large, three-story red building in front of
us that is known as the Red Stores.
This section of the Market received its name because the original
'red stores' were three identical buildings that were located
on what is now the downriver section of the Bazaar Market. The
original buildings were constructed in 1833 as private stores
that weren't officially connected to the French Market. As with
many things that are clumped together in close quarters, the Red
Stores became associated with going to the French Market. You
can almost hear the servants in the antebellum Vieux Carre' saying
"I'm going down to the Red Stores at the French Market to
pick up a few things." Time and storms took its toll on
the original buildings, and they were demolished in the big renovation
of the Market in the 1930s. When the Market was again renovated
in the 1970s, there was a need to build space for the French Market
Corporation offices, as well as to create new retail or restaurant
space, so the new building was painted red and given the legacy
of the original Red Stores.
The current Red Stores building does indeed house the offices
of the French Market Corporation, and the first floor is the location
of Greco's Seafood Restaurant, which serves traditional Creole
dishes. Barbecue Shrimp is one of their specialties. Greco's
has a nice patio area as well as regular indoor dining.
Other than Greco's for lunch or dinner, there's not much to keep
our interest at the Red Stores, so let's cross N. Peters and move
down the alley.
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