You know those people you occasionally see around New Orleans, those with a distinctive, polished sense of style who are often seen in attire with NOLA-centric themes woven subtly into their looks?
JoAnne and Dan Casey embody this carefree style that is as much an attitude as a look. They emanate a vibe that says, “Follow me on a slipstream of fun as I head to Jazz Fest, an art market, Magazine Street, or a fabulous dinner party. I have the inside scoop.”
The couple, ageless and energetic world travelers, founded Alice and Amelia, in 2018. JoAnne is retired from an insurance career that took her all over the country before she returned to her hometown to establish NOLA Girl, a line of New Orleans-centric t-shirts and goods. In 2018 she founded the NOLA Dogs Race to the Rescue 5K as a tribute to her beloved dog Pearl and has since raised tens of thousands of dollars for local rescue operations. Dan is a quasi-retired educator and a member of the Krewe of Thoth. They named their Magazine Street store, which features men’s and women’s clothing, housewares, original art, and gifts, after their two young granddaughters.
“Our small business is all about family,” JoAnne said, “our family as well as other families. We work hard to bring our customers quality products made by other small, mostly family-owned businesses. We buy as much as we possibly can from local artisans, but we have products from around the world. We also make a conscious effort to seek out mother-daughter businesses, and goods from woman-owned businesses.”
Alice and Amelia is a veritable fun house for those who admire uncommon goods and fine craftsmanship. For men the store is stocked with crisp guyabera shirts from Dat Mambo Shirt featuring New Orleans cultural icons such as the fleur de lis, crawfish, the LSU Tiger, and the Tulane Green Wave; neckties and masks from NOLA Beaux Ties; socks from Bonfolk (for every pair sold a donation is made to a charity) and more.
Items for women include clothing from NOLA Girl, flippy wrap skirts in brilliant designs from Ellen MacLeod, one-of-a-kind hats from long-time New Orleans milliner Tracy Thompson; art inspired rain ponchos; cocoon-style kimonos that dress up even the most-tossed together look; and so much more.
Other items include fanciful pet supplies, interesting glassware, candles, jewelry, books, puzzles, and supercool umbrellas.
“We want items that are functional, yet sophisticated,” JoAnne said.
“I want to carry things that you just don’t see everywhere else” and “We strive to offer personable, caring customer service that makes people feel good and makes them want to come back.”
Check, check, check.