Le Petit Cajun is a tea shop and boutique in Grand Coteau, Louisiana that showcases the work of local artists while providing a space for people to meet, eat, and shop in a tranquil atmosphere. You can find jewelry, paintings, religious gifts, oyster art, quilted goods, and special-made monogram items here.
With premium teas and handcrafted goods, it’s a relaxing gathering spot for those who appreciate the finer things.
Adam “Nonc” Doucet, owner of Nonc’s Shop, is a French speaker, self-taught musician, and self-taught woodturner from Sunset, Louisiana. Doucet prides himself in one-of-a-kind turned pieces made from local Louisiana wood species. Most notably, Doucet is known for his work with sinker cypress, ancient cypress trees ranging from 400-1,000+ years old. His work has been featured in national publications and museums such as The San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site. With a degree in anthropology, Doucet continues finding the unique connections humans have with trees and wood and incorporates these ideas into his work. Nonc’s Shop offers commission work on various products, so please reach out if you would like a custom piece of local art.
Black Pot Bookshop is a locally-curated book and gift store located in the St. Landry Parish Courtyard Square of downtown Opelousas, Louisiana in the historic Shute’s building. Their selection of goods are handpicked from local authors and artists from around the state.
Their large selection of books, home decor, kitchenware, hometown gifts, and more make it a perfect place to pick up a gift or browse after lunch or a cup of coffee at one of the nearby cafés.
In 2021, the LA Legion building in Eunice, Louisiana was renovated by retired teacher, Susan Clark Vigee. With refurbished office spaces in front and an antique shop in the back, her husband affectionately calls the project her “dollhouse”. There’s a lot to see in the building including artwork by Louisiana artists like Rocky Gates, Joe Dies, Beverly Lafleur, and more. Shop for items ranging from handmade religious art and statues, wood art cutouts, and antiques to handmade jewelry, locally produced seasonings, and more.
The Lakeview General Store is located right at the entrance of the sprawling Lakeview Park & Beach property in Eunice. Here, you can check in and purchase Louisiana-themed souvenirs from Parish Ink including magnets, postcards, shirts, and more. It’s also your one-stop-shop for any of your camping needs and local food items like pepper jelly and hot sauce. Other wares include handmade gifts including items salvaged and refurbished from hurricane Laura as well as original art from local artists including Hannah Gumbo.
“Tee Don” Landry is famous for his Key of Z Rubboards. The frottoir, a wearable rubboard that is synonymous with zydeco music, was popularized by King of Zydeco Clifton Chenier and Cleveland, his brother who played that first rubboard masterfully. The story goes that in 1946, Chenier came to Willie Landry, Tee Don’s father and a Cajun metal craftsman, with the plans for the frottoir. Now at his shop in Sunset, Tee Don practices his father’s craft and is the reason the town is touted as the Rubboard Capital of the World.
On his website, you can purchase one of his rubboards or even have one custom made. Set up a time to visit his shop and see the process for yourself. Each one of his rubboards is numbered and registered, even the mini ones meant for decoration.
In the heart of Opelousas‘ downtown, right next to the 300-year-old Jim Bowie tree, steps away from your choice of cafés, lies a very special gift shop owned by community activist, Shawana Johnson. Wild Child Essentials hosts a variety of local Creole and African American vendors from the area. Handmade soaps, hair oils, jewelry, candles, and so much more line the shelves. This metaphysical shop is your destination for soaps, lotions, and potions as well as crystals, sage, incense, and other healing tools.
Elizabeth Clare’s in Eunice, Louisiana is the place to go if you need something to relax, to soothe, or to shop! With handmade soaps, lotions, powders, bath bombs, and salts, this is the perfect place to buy a gift for that person in your life that needs a little extra self-care. Also sold here are handcrafted herbal pain salves and balms.
Aside from restocking your bath supplies, you can also find handcrafted jewelry and original art pieces. Stunning twisted wire trees, rosaries adorned with your birthstone, and jewelry that can be custom made to your own specifications can all be found at this hidden gem.
Bourque’s Super Store is a grocery and boudin stop in Port Barre, Louisiana. The shop is located near Highway 190, between Opelousas and Baton Rouge, and is a popular place for hungry travelers who are looking a quick bite to eat. Bourque’s serves hot boudin and cracklins daily and homemade plate lunches. Visit the bakery to take home a loaf of Bourque’s own jalapeno, sausage-cheese bread. Just before Mardi Gras, you can also find freshly made, traditional king cake and boudin king cake. Before you visit, you might just want to bring an ice chest or an insulated bag because Bourque’s also has a wide selection of specialty meats and even makes their own homemade smoked sausage.
To learn more about the their “A+” boudin recipe, visit the Boudin Link.
Beaucoup in Eunice, Louisiana is a mini boutique mall featuring handmade gifts and items for all ages. Shop gourmet snacks, handmade jewelry, Mardi Gras costumes and masks, religious items such as rosaries and holy water fonts, original art by Haidee DeRouen, and so much more! There are also seasonal items perfect for Christmas gifts and decorations.
