395. We Were Merchants, part 2

395. Part 2 of our interview with Hans Sternberg & James Shelledy. We Were Merchants. The words “Goudchaux’s / Maison Blanche” conjure up a wealth of fond memories for local shoppers.

At this landmark Louisiana department store, clerks greeted you by name; children received a nickel to buy a Coke and for every report-card A; families anticipated the holiday arrival of the beloved puppet Mr. Bingle almost as much as Santa; teenagers applied for their first job; and customers enjoyed interest-free charge accounts and personal assistance selecting attire and gifts for the most significant occasions in life—baptisms, funerals, and everything in between. In We Were Merchants, Hans Sternberg provides a captivating account of how his parents, Erich and Lea, fled from Nazi Germany to the United States, embraced their new home, and together with their children built Goudchaux’s into a Baton Rouge legend that eventually became Goudchaux’s / Maison Blanche — an independent retail force during the golden era of the department store and, by 1989, the largest family-owned department store in America.

1. This week in Louisiana history. December 13, 1935. The Bonnet Carre' Spillway is dedicated.
2. This week in New Orleans history. December 12, 1960 – The Supreme Court of the United States upholds a lower Federal Court ruling that the State of Louisiana's laws on racial segregation laws are unconstitutional, and overturns them.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Christmas in Roseland
   
   November 27th, 2020 - December 23rd, 2020

   5:30 pm - 10:00 pm
   American Rose Center

   8877 Jefferson Paige Rd.,

   Shreveport, LA 71119
   318-938-5402
   Website | Email
   For the Holiday Season the park is transformed into Christmas in Roseland. Walk through the winter wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights,  dozens of lighted displays, giant Christmas cards, nightly entertainment rides on the Roseland Express train, photos with Santa and tons of fun for the family.
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Guitar Player on Royal St.

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