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Octave Fontenot's store places second only to Martin's Grocery in my collection of old stores. It is a distant second because it isn't open and it is deteriorating quickly. These 2003 photos must have been taken within a short time after its closing. The plants on the front porch are still watered. I've monitored its condition. I wish it could be moved to the Smithsonian or somewhere where it would be preserved.

This one is between Opelousas and Prairie Ronde. I caught it a little longer after its closing. It now houses a horse trailor. At least it still has a purpose.

       This old store at the corner of Prairie Ronde Rd.(La.104) and Chataignier Rd.(La.29) and down from L'Anse Bleau Rd, (continuation of La.104 going west) doesn't seem to have a purpose anymore. It use to be very important to the community.
    I had stopped to take its picture about a year ago when an old pickup roared up skiding to a stop. I thought I best prepare myself. I was just taking a picture from a distance.
    Out of the rolled down window a big man wearing a cowboy hat yelled in a thick Cajun accent for me to take a good picture of his Daddy's and Uncles's store. After obeying, I approached the pickup and we "shot the bull" for about twenty minutes. He told me that the store had been an important part of the community and even had a traveling store that roamed the gravel and dirt back roads supplying the farmers with everything.
     He asked where I was from. I like telling people "Breaux Bridge". The usual next question is "Do you speak French?" At that point I felt that with this jovial fellow I could make the "inside joke" that I was one of those "damn Americans". He was old enough to have probably used that term before himself. He howled laughing.   We bid each other a good day and went our ways. I felt extremely lucky for the visit and kicked myself for not thinking of the thousand questions I have now. He was a gold mine and I blew it. I even forgot the name of the store. I stopped today and could find no evidence of the name on the building. Next to the store laying against the fence was the old Skelly gasoline sign, so, I know it was a gas station. There was also what appears to be a seed speader or spreader of some kind. Notice the seat behind the bin. It was horse or mule drawn. Was it rented out? Was the store an early tool rental outlet? So many questions.

A short distance north on the corner of L'Anse Bleu and Chataignier is another old store. Did they exist at the same time. Did they lead to each other's demise? Notice the "Do Not Enter" sign. Had it played a part in the stores end? The sign now works as a worthy warning.

Mystery store? I'll have to find this one again. It was in with the pack of 104 photos. I thought it was the one below which is just south on Chataignier Rd. in Chataignier. It is "heavy duty", built to last. I know it is in a town.

This is the "store" I thought was the store above. It is in Chataignier It has a very simular wooden addition to the rear of the brick stucture. It also has a very simular white house behind it. It is likewise "heavy duty". Was it a bank? It's most recent purpose was a motorcycle shop of all things and not that long ago. A reader told me but I've lost his note and my memory is lost also. The banner says, "Welcome to the Village of Chataignier". If I've spelled that word right everytime I've written it, that would be a miracle. In the previous 104 article I displayed the pronunciation of Chataignier, I'm feeling evil and this time I won't.

Some might say the sign displays "Gastric/Social Math". This form of calculation has its local following. The store is located at the corner of 104 and 1167 (Lanse de Cavalier Road) Now here is a little side trip you might take if you like very, very curvy roads. ll67 takes you to Belaire Cove Road where you would take a left, going north into Ville Platte. Go with Boudin on your breathe. The curves and their sharpness provide a slalom form of Deal's Gap type riding. Go to Ville Platte where there is a modern store right at the end of the road. Get supplies and run the road back to 104. More Boudin?

On a little expansion of our route there's T-Boy's Slaughterhouse on the east side of Mamou. T-Boy's, loosely meaning "Little Boy's", gets the best Slaughterhouse Art Award for this article. Is it a self-portrait? "T" is also used as a fond nickname. If someone yells at you, "Hey T", they are being friendly, like, "Hey Cher". "Cher" (sha) is used to address both sexes by both sexes. I've never experienced "T-Cher". I would learn that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Look to the right.

Stores along the way.

Ok, Marie, there's you old store hit for this article. We've got roads to follow. What's around that corner? Hit next for the answer.

Breaking News: John P.,a buddy in Destrahan, tells me he knew a T-Cher. He said the guy could really dance when stoked with a half bottle of Muscatel Wine. Never doubt. Dare to imagine.