Jefferson Parish has unveiled a new Design District aimed at consolidating arts, culture, and interior design stores into a unified, walkable area. At the Design Center New Orleans in Jefferson, La., a press conference was held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, to introduce the district. Karin Nelson, owner of the Design Center of New Orleans, was a key speaker at the event.
“There are so many talented designers and great design happening in our region, it just made sense,” Nelson stated. “If we could create a design district, it would give designers a local shopping destination instead of having to trek to Atlanta or Houston or Dallas to work on our projects.”
The Jefferson Parish Economic Development District (JEDCO) announced the creation of the Design District in Old Jefferson, bounded by Monticello Avenue, River Road, Harding Street, and the Earhart Expressway. The district already includes 17 businesses specializing in interior design, homeware, and furnishings.
Unified Design Hub for Jefferson Parish
The Jefferson Parish Council approved the formation of the district last month and will vote on July 23 to potentially designate it as an economic development district with tax incentives. These incentives, such as a waiver on additional property taxes for up to 10 years on renovations or expansions, aim to support business growth within the district.
Design districts, common in major cities, serve to concentrate retail, art, and design into one area. Jefferson’s Design District will cater primarily to interior design showrooms and homeware suppliers, including notable names like NOLA Rugs, Budget Blinds of New Orleans, and Shades of Light. Alongside the economic development district proposal, JEDCO also launched a dedicated loan fund to support businesses wishing to expand in the district.
“We’re excited about the things we can do to drive the further building of this community,” said JEDCO Executive Director Jerry Bologna. “This is just the beginning.”
