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The Marigny’s Frenchmen Art Market will relocate to St Claude Avenue

The Market plans to vacate with a parade

By Eric Craig Updated
The Frenchmen Art Market is located at 619 Frenchmen Street.
Photo via Infrogmation of New Orleans/Wikimedia Commons

[Update: July 21, 2017 8:12 a.m.]

  • Added interview with French Art Market founder Kate Gaar.
  • The new hours are Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Recently, the Freshmen Art Market says it will be closing its Frenchmen Street location after this weekend, July 22.

“This is the Frenchmen Art Market's last weekend to be open,” the Market writes on an Instagram post with a photo of an unclear notice. “We continued to pay our rent but decided to second line out when the sheriff arrives.”

The Market secured a lease at and will relocate to The Art Garage at 2231 St Claude Avenue. The new hours are Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Gaar adds that the new venue will be considerably smaller, leaving less room for artist to display their work.

The Frenchmen Art Market will host a party at its former alley, celebrating the market, on Tuesday, July 25, at 7 p.m. The Market organizers will also lead a parade from the old site to The Art Garage before the end of the celebration.

“It was upsetting to so many people without me saying anything,” says Kate Gaar, founder of the Frenchmen Art Market. “It sucks being responsible for peoples income, its a game changer.”

Based on a 2015 Nola.com article, Developer Gregor Fox bought a 40,000 square foot former Brewery at 2121 Chartres Street, which the Frenchmen Art Market sits behind. The developer will convert the former brewery into a theater or event space. In 2015, the developer considered turning alleyway that the Frenchmen Art Market uses into parking for the event venue to meet zone standards.

Gaar says the developer gave notice about not renewing the lease in February 2015, giving the Market one year to find a new venue. From February of 2015 to February of 2016, Gaar fought the eviction through local and state court and ultimately loss the at the Louisiana Supreme Court hearing.

“As sad as it is, I’ve given my life to this market. I’ve sacrificed my family, friends—everything for it. But I’m ready to move on, too.”

Jeweler Kate Gaar started the The Frenchmen Art Market in 2013 to promote local art and artist in New Orleans.