Expands to throws, toys and costume rentals
Arc of St. Charles celebrated the grand opening of St. Charles Parish’s first Mardi Gras store on Tuesday.
What started in the corner of the Arc’s Cajun Village Thrift Store as a bead recycling operation has grown into a complete Mardi Gras supplier called Throw Me Something Mister Mardi Gras Merchandise Store.
Parish officials helped cut the ribbon for the new location at 50 Wade St. Suite 3 in Luling, next to Southern Latte’ in Luling.
Arc Executive Director Victoria Bryant called it a “monumental moment.”
“We have pressed through tough times enduring and have overcome many obstacles,” Bryant said. “We are so proud of our new community and how it has embraced our services.”Pollock added, “Anything you can catch at a Mardi Gras parade, we’ll have it.”
In addition to re-purposing beads, Arc clients will handle a variety of donations, including stuffed animals, costumes and other toys at the new location.
The store already supplies beads to area major krewes, including Des Allemands and Lul for Mardi Gras, and the Norco Christmas parade, Pollock said. Additionally, Arc’s store supplies beads to the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, which provides them to visitors and newcomers as a welcome gift, as well as gets bead orders from Mardi Gras krewes in the Greater New Orleans area.Bryant added, “Keep an eye for a new critter in town – Archie. Come stop by and meet him.”
Archie the Alligator is Arc’s new mascot, whose costume will be available for rental at the store, Pollock said. Archie also will make appearances at Arc events and promotions.Satellite Center students created the logo for Archie to give Arc programs an identity.
Pollock said the bead program started in 2009 and grew so much in recent years because of strong community, support.
She added, “We’re so excited about having a location with more visibility, providing training to people with disabilities and providing a location for people in St. Charles Parish.”
The Mardi store also represents Arc’s expansion of its job training programs.
Up to 15 Arc clients are working there daily.“They learn time management, how to multi-task and stay focused on a task,” Pollock said. “They collect donations and they sort them and package them. The storefront will also give them more social interaction with the community.”
In addition to the Mardi Gras store, Arc’s other work programs include a janitorial program, a lawn crew and commercial shredding services.
As part of the Arc reorganization, its Arc of St. Charles Cajun Village Thrift Store on U.S. Highway 90 also is relocating to Luling and expected to reopen by early February.
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