A Stroll Down Memory Lane: Top 20 Most Missed Old New Orleans Businesses and Landmarks

New Orleans, with its rich history and vibrant culture, has experienced significant changes over the years. Many beloved businesses and landmarks have disappeared, either due to natural disasters, economic shifts, or simply the passage of time. This article will pay tribute to the top 20 most missed old New Orleans businesses and landmarks that are no longer around.

1. K&B Drugstore - A beloved local drugstore chain, K&B Drugstore was a New Orleans institution with its iconic purple logo. It was acquired by Rite Aid in 1997.

2. Maison Blanche - A historic department store on Canal Street, Maison Blanche was a shopping destination for locals and tourists alike. It closed in 1998, and the building was converted into the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

3. The Old Absinthe House - A classic French Quarter bar known for its absinthe cocktails, the original building was demolished in 1967. However, a replica was constructed and now operates under the same name.

4. Jazzland Theme Park - A short-lived amusement park that opened in 2000 and closed after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It has remained abandoned since.

5. Pontchartrain Beach - A popular amusement park and beach that operated from 1928 until 1983, Pontchartrain Beach was a favorite destination for generations of New Orleanians.

6. Godchaux's Department Store - A once-prominent department store on Canal Street, Godchaux's was a mainstay in New Orleans shopping before closing in the 1980s.

7. Schwegmann's Grocery Stores - A local supermarket chain, Schwegmann's was a beloved part of New Orleans culture before it closed in 1999.

8. The Dew Drop Inn - A legendary music venue and hotel in Central City, the Dew Drop Inn was an essential stop on the "Chitlin' Circuit" for African American musicians in the 1950s and 1960s.

9. The Rivergate - A unique, modernist convention center that was demolished in 1995 to make way for Harrah's Casino.

10. The D.H. Holmes Department Store - Once a premier shopping destination on Canal Street, D.H. Holmes closed in 1989 and was eventually converted into a hotel.

11. Original St. Charles Streetcar Line - While the St. Charles Streetcar still operates today, much of the original 19th-century infrastructure and streetcar fleet have been replaced over time.

12. The Market Street Power Plant - A once-prominent power plant on the Mississippi River, the building has remained unused and abandoned since the 1980s.

13. The Jax Brewery - A historic brewery that operated from 1890 to 1974, the Jax Brewery building has since been converted into a shopping and entertainment complex.

14. The Plaza Tower - A skyscraper that was once the third tallest building in New Orleans, the Plaza Tower has remained vacant since 2002 due to environmental concerns.

15. The Dixie Brewery - A historic brewery that operated from 1907 to 2005, the Dixie Brewery was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina and never reopened. The building has since been demolished.

16. The Saenger Theatre - While the theater has been restored and reopened, it was closed for several years after Hurricane Katrina due to extensive damage.

17. The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway - Although the causeway is still in use, its original 1956 construction was demolished and replaced with a new, wider structure in 1969.

18. The LaSalle Hotel - A classic New Orleans hotel that was demolished in 1974