Taylor Morgan and Isabel Balart of The Scout Guide New Orleans with Santa and the Merry Antoinettes

Ok, we’ve heard from some of you that you’ve missed On Our Radar, so we are reviving it in time for the holidays. For all I know, we may change it up again, but in this age of digestible tidbits, it only seems fitting to continue our five-year tradition of five weekly facts to keep you in the know with everything big related to small businesses. (As I write this, Isabel says, “I did not want to kill OOR, you killed it in its 5th year. Who does that?”) A hefty reality check, so I guess we’re rebooting from an almost five-month hiatus. 

It’s December in New Orleans, which means there is A LOT going on (you can keep track of it with our events section). We’ll aim to keep this short and sweet and remind you to just get out and experience local (The decorations! The smells! The sparkle! The cheer!). It’s the best time of year to do it. 

LOVE: My chic and stylish Assistant Editor Isabel Balart has curated her holiday gift guide, sourcing only from our local businesses, and only online. It’s a great reminder that everything we need to live a beautiful life can be found in our community. And then I am here to remind you that you simply cannot beat the experience of shopping in-store, especially this time of year.

MEET: In case you missed it on Small Business Saturday, we’d love to (re)introduce you to one of our favorite small business owners, Jennifer Rabalais of JADE, and invite you to visit her store on Metairie Road for your holiday shopping needs. Take a peek inside with me now and find out her favorite gift to give!

WANT: Villa Vici’s upholstery sale is happening now. Take a tour of the store with me here and know that you can receive up to 25% off floor models or custom upholstery through December. Speaking of sales, Art & Eyes’ is having their 12th-anniversary storewide sale, where you can get 20, 30, 40, and 50% off on ALL frames on the floor until Christmas Eve! Hurry in and make those wishlists come true! 

VISIT: The Bower Bar is set for a festive Bah Humbug Bar Takeover until December 30th, featuring Christmas-themed decor and over seven specially crafted holiday cocktails by Beverage Director Mickey Mullins. Among the libations, I am excited to try the Manger Baby Margarita with house strawberry tequila, lime, and triple sec, as well as the Silver and Gold Sidecar with 1738 Cognac, vanilla bean simple syrup, lemon, and Alma Plantation raw cane sugar rim. 

LEARN: Saks Fifth Avenue and The Scout Guide New Orleans are probably two businesses you never thought you’d see in the same sentence. We recognize the pivotal role Saks plays in our city’s vitality, so we are grateful to announce that Saks will be distributing The Scout Guide New Orleans Volume 12 in store. Our hope is that discerning Saks Fifth Avenue patrons uncover new local discoveries, prompting them to explore Magazine Street following their shopping experience at Canal Place.

TELL THEM SCOUT SENT YOU! (And be sure to let us know if you’re happy On Our Radar is back )

——TAYLOR