Freret Street is the product of what was once Bouligny and Avart plantations. Their plantation lines served as drainage canals and levees for the area, which today define the boundaries of the neighborhood - Napoleon, Claiborne and Jefferson Avenues.

Move your mouse over the dates below to see the historical timeline:

NHS opened its Homeownership Center on the corner of Valence & Freret Street in 1999 and sold its former office to Eve's Market, which opened in 2001.  During the grand opening press conference in July, NHS announced the receipt of a $225,000 grant from the city for continued improvements on the street. The money will be disbursed over a three-year period and cover administrative costs, façade improvement and marketing. With the help of the office of Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization and assistance from the National Trust for Historic preservation, a Main Street manager was hired and an assessment survey was conducted with a few of the remaining, long-time business owners.

NHS continues to work with the businesses on Freret Street to help market the street, to bring in new businesses and customers, and to improve the overall appearance of the street.  Several businesses have recently relocated to Freret Street including La Penitas Restaurant and the Comedy Conservancy (teaching improvisation).  We expect several new businesses in 2005.

Unfortunately Eve's Market is on the market.  They have been unable to successfully compete with the new Whole Foods that opened on Magazine Street.  Responding to the problems faced by Eves, NHS has joined forces with other local businesses in the Stay Local Campaign, designed to educate consumers on the importance of supporting locally owned businesses.  The Stay Local Campaign is a project of the Urban Conservancy.

For more on the history of the Freret Street Neighborhood, click here.