Herbert Halpern opened Promenade Fine Fabrics on September 9, 1968 in New Orleans on historic St. Charles Avenue, the oldest running streetcar line in the United States.
Herbert Halpern
The Halpern family has been in the fabric business for nearly a century. Herbert’s father, Max Halpern, opened Halpern’s Fabrics in the late 1930s and was responsible for bringing couture fabric to New Orleans. When he had to move the store, the only lot open was on St. Charles Avenue, which at the time did not have the foot traffic and desired customer base. However, the move turned out to be very fortuitous, as St. Charles Avenue has grown to be one of the most famous and elegant streets in the city of New Orleans.
Original storefront on Dryades Street.
Max Halpern, ca. 1940
Fabric displays from original Halpern Fabrics.
After growing up on Dryades Street (now Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard) and playing outside his father’s shop, Herbert decided to follow in his father’s footsteps. In 1968, Herbert opened Promenade Fine Fabrics. Throughout the decades, Promenade has brought New Orleans the finest couture fabrics from around the world, including Irish linens, Italian and English wools, French, Swiss and Asian silks, French laces, and brocades.
In addition, Promenade carries a large selection of buttons in diverse materials including horn, mother of pearl, glass, stones, wood, and vintage. Promenade also offers one of the nation’s largest selections of ribbon in unusual brocades, double-faced satin, grosgrain, and velvet.
In 2013, the third generation Halpern joined the family business. Cole Halpern has expanded Promenade’s selection with unique Hyman Hendler vintage ribbon and exquisite vintage fabrics. Together, the father and son duo provide the highest quality products for their customers, including fashion designers, film wardrobe departments, seamstresses, and novice to advanced sewers.
Cole Halpern