NEW ORLEANS – A local novelty and souvenir shop is suing the City of New Orleans Department of Safety and Permits for allegedly slapping them with a zoning violation over the sale certain goods.
New Orleans Cookery & Spices LLC suit against The City of New Orleans, through its Department of Safety and Permits, Jared E. Munster, in his capacity as director, and the Board of Zoning Adjustments for the City of New Orleans in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on Sept. 17.
The shop, located at 1013-1015 Decatur Street in New Orleans, claims it has historically operated as a novelty and souvenir shop after being purchased by a new owner on Oct. 30, 1998. Since that time, the plaintiff states that it has legally functioned as a retail store selling knickknacks of the New Orleans variety.
On May 15, 2007, the petitioner introduced new items to be sold as part of a new production line related to the trade name “Everything New Orleans.” Still, the plaintiff continued to sell t-shirts, novelties and souvenirs trade marking the traditional brand name. On Oct. 22, 2013, the director of the New Orleans Board of Zoning Adjustments, Jared Munster, challenged the validity of the shop’s purpose, declaring the property was being illegally operated as a souvenir shop.
The plaintiff contends this decision should be reversed.
The plaintiff is represented by Justin B. Schmidt of Adams & Reese LLP.
The case has been assigned to Div. F Judge Christopher J. Bruno.
Case no. 2014-09143.
Novelty and souvenir shop challenges city zoning decision
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