Photograph: The Parlor at Main in downtown Opelousas. (Photograph taken in 2022)
Carola Lillie Hartley
Publisher and Contributing Writer
Owned by Senic Batiste and Vanessa Harris-Batiste, the Parlor, located at 117 South Main Street in downtown Opelousas offers a venue that caters to all types of events and entertainment activities.
The two-story building that today houses the Parlor dates to an earlier time in 20th century Opelousas when it was known as the J. A. “Big” Dejean building, and before that the Labyché property, managed by Henry Estorge.
In 1925 John Fa-Kouri the Opelousas Tailor leased the building from Dejean for his business. At that time Fa-Kouri had been in business at other locations in town for about 10 years. In January of 1928, John formed a partnership with his brother Elias, calling their business Fa-Kouri Brothers. Just two years later, the brothers purchased the J. A. Dejean building, that housed their business for some time, and announced plans for their business expansion. The building was located between Heymann’s Department Store and the People’s Café on the east side of Main Street.
In July of 1931, Homer Ventre, contractor, began work on the extensive remodel of the old Dejean building. The front of the building was torn out, and steel girders were added, as well as brick to the entire building, giving it a more modern look.
Even with the construction work in progress, the business continued to operate in the same location until the remodeling job was completed. By the early part of 1932, the tailor and dry-cleaning shop was operating out of a more modern, rehabilitated building on Main Street. It eventually became Fa-Kouri’s Men’s Wear that operated in the building for decades in downtown Opelousas. The business closed and the building remained vacant for some time.
In 2007, Senic Batiste and Vanessa Harris Batiste purchased the building and began renovating it to what it has become today. In 2011, the building received a Louisiana Main Street matching grant to help with part of the restoration. Some of the work included repointing the exterior bricks, repairing the original overhang, sanding and repainting the windows, and replacing the rear cypress doors.
Today, the building is a good example of the importance of historic preservation and downtown revitalization working together. Instead of discarding the old building, it was repurposed and is in use today contributing to the economy of the town. Plus, it adds a great deal of beauty to historic downtown Opelousas.
The Parlor at Main operates on the lower floor as a special event rental facility and meeting room. The upper floor has been restored into a spacious studio apartment.
Last Sunday the Parlor hosted a beautiful evening tea at its events center in downtown Opelousas. Those who attended reported a wonderful time was held by all, as can be seen in these beautiful photos sent to St Landry Now taken by Vera Nagy and others.
Look for similar events of that kind set at the Parlor, the newest addition to downtown Opelousas. For information on what they can offer, contact The Parlor at (337) 284-0038 or e-mail Parloratmain@gmail.com.
