Shopping
From its early days as a river port, Baton Rouge residents developed a penchant for living well. River boats traveling down the Mississippi River from the north brought innovative products and fancy goods from cities, such as St. Louis. Boats traveling up the river from New Orleans brought goods from as far away as Cuba and France. Today there’s an amazing variety of shopping experiences available. Much of Baton Rouge’s shopping now takes place in expansive malls and new mixed-use lifestyle centers. However, from downtown to the farthest edge of town, there are boutiques and quaint shops that attract seekers of unusual one-of-a kind items. Enjoy the glitz of the malls. A selection of specialty shops is listed here, but explore Baton Rouge’s neighborhood shops and find places that appeal to your own sense of adventure. Extend your search to nearby towns to browse through clusters of antique shops and boutiques.
1. MALL AT CORTANA
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (225) 927-6747
Description: A landmark of Baton Rouge for more than 30 years, the Mall at Cortana is a tradition with more than 1 million square feet of shopping, including Macy’s, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Sears, and numerous restaurants. Cortana hosts regular events for families and children. Parking areas are huge, with easy access.
2. MALL OF LOUISIANA
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (225) 927-6747
Address: 6401 Bluebonnet Blvd. at I-10
Description: The Mall of Louisiana, one of south Louisiana’s premier shopping complexes, features dramatic décor, a carousel for the kids, a large food court, and some 155 stores on two levels. Outside on the Boulevard is a pedestrian-friendly, tree-lined walkway with more than 25 upscale retailers. Check out Louisiana’s first Apple Store, Ann Taylor Loft, Sephora, L’Occitane en Provence, Jos. A. Bank, Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Coach, and others. Satellite facilities include a brew house, an Italian restaurant, a bookstore, and Rave Motion Pictures.
3. PERKINS ROW
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (225) 761-6905
Description: Perkins Row is an upscale mixed-use living complex with contemporary condos, a gourmet market, wine bars, lively restaurants, and a 16-screen movie theater. Shops include Anthropologie, Sur La Table, J. Crew, Z Gallerie, Barnes & Noble, and White House/Black Market. For a different dining experience, try Texas de Brazil, where grilled meats keep coming to your table until you shout “stop.”
4. SIEGEN CORRIDOR
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Shopping
Description: Siegen Lane is a major street connecting any number of neighborhoods across the southern region of Baton Rouge. It runs from Burbank Drive southeasterly until it connects with South Sherwood Forest Drive at Airline. Major shopping areas include Siegen Park Mall (Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart, and Lowe’s) as well as Target Plaza, with several satellite shops. Along the route are banks, car dealers, home supply companies, and numerous commercial establishments. The area also has Italian, Mexican, and American restaurants, fast-food chains, and hotels.
5. TANGER OUTLET CENTER
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (225) 647-9383
Description: This outlet complex, with 55 stores, is an easy drive from Baton Rouge. Stores include Banana Republic, Gap, Nike, Harry & David, Old Navy, Ann Taylor, and Aeropostale. Restaurants within the complex include Cracker Barrel and Chili’s. Just across the street is Cabela’s, a world-class sports outfitter.
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Shopping
7. BRIAN’S FURNITURE AND APPLIANCES
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (800) 259-0896
Address: 515 Court St.
Description: Brian’s is a fascinating experience for anyone planning to landscape a lawn, garden, or patio. The company has the largest selection of rust-free cast aluminum furniture in the South. Check out the iron and fiberglass sugar kettles that can be turned into ponds or water fountains. The kettles are reproduced from those found on Louisiana sugar cane plantations.
8. CIRCA 1857
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (225) 387-8667
Address: 1857 Government St.
Description: You never know what you will find at Circa 1857. Browse for antiques, retro clothing, or original art. Anyone who loves old handcrafted woodwork, fencing, grates, or gates incorporated into their home will enjoy browsing through architectural salvage from around the world.
9. COYOTE MOON
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (225) 344-4448
Description: Coyote Moon tempts the pocketbook with gifts and books that make your heart sing. Special items include jewelry, crystals and minerals, and aromatherapy products. Local psychic readers are available Thursday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The shop offers classes in meditation, self-improvement, and healing on a periodic basis.
10. DENHAM SPRINGS ANTIQUE VILLAGE
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (225) 791-1116
Description: The antique district in Denham Springs is a hot spot for antiques roadies. More than 25 shops feature everything from hard-to-find collectibles to jewelry and fine antiques. Drop by Theatre Antique Mall, 228 N. Range Ave., to browse for old books, knives, and cookware. Benton Brothers Antiques, 115 N. Range Ave., features porcelains, silver, and handsome Victorian and East Lake furniture. Local cafes offer Louisiana cuisine, including sandwiches and desserts. For lunch stop by Patty Denham Restaurant, 31899 La. 16, for a huge hamburger and an order of fried pickles or fried mushrooms.
11. FIRESIDE ANTIQUES
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (225) 752-9565
Address: 14007 Perkins Rd.
Description: Fireside Antiques has fine quality French, Italian, English, and Swedish antiques. Eight showrooms display significantly important armoires, tables, sofas, and chairs as well as delicate decorative pieces. In addition Fireside is a great source for mirrors, tall case clocks, chandeliers, and home decor accessories. In keeping with the southern tradition, the store has a large collection of elegant European garden statuary, including limestone fountains, planters, birdbaths, and sundials.
12. GOODWOOD HARDWARE & OUTDOORS
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (225) 926-0040
Address: 7539 Jefferson Hwy
Description: Goodwood Hardware is a destination in itself. You’ll find a whole lot more than electric and plumbing supplies. Goodwood, across from Towne Center at Cedar Lodge, is a major source for barbecue grills and supplies, as well as hundreds of kitchen supplies and pots and pans. Before you leave, head for the rear of the store where you’ll find a super collection of cookbooks for smoking and barbecuing outdoors. The store also features handsome outdoor furniture and a purple-and-gold LSU area with shirts, ponchos, dishes, glassware, baby clothes, and dog collars—all in celebration of Louisiana’s flagship university.
13. GRANDMOTHER’S BUTTONS
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (800) 580-6941
Address: 9814 Royal St.
Description: Grandmother’s Buttons started when Susan Davis and her 95-year-old grandmother were sifting through tins and boxes filled with a lifetime’s worth of collected buttons—dazzling jet glass, carved pearl, and decorative brass buttons. Davis turned the buttons into one-of-a-kind jewelry and started a business that is now recognized nationwide. The firm is based in a turn-of-the-century old bank building. After you’re done browsing the button jewelry and accessories, step into the old bank vault to view the amazing Button Museum.
14. HIGHLAND ROAD SHOPPING VILLAGE
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (225) 752-1762, (225) 756-2000
Address: 16255 Highland Rd.
Description: This small complex of simple cottages contains a number of highly innovative shops. Included are Rudolph’s Christmas Store, Highland Road Antiques and Gifts, Highland Gifts, Renaissance Fine Photography, Houchin’s Art and Frame, and A Cottage Path Florist. You’ll find one-of-a-kind Christmas items, antique books, weapons, china, garden art, and jewelry and linens from France. Visit Highland Road’s website for information on each of its shops.
15. LITTLE WARS
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (225) 924-6304
Address: 7517 Jefferson Hwy
Description: Looking for somewhere to role-play with friends? The Louisiana Little Wars shop is a treasure trove for those who enjoy the modern hobby of miniature war gaming and toy collecting. The shop has a 2,000-square-foot showroom with 10 gaming tables and hosts between two and four tournaments a month. It offers a wide selection of games, miniatures, and books.