When Hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005, Plush Appeal/The Mardi Gras Spot had just opened its historic new retail location that January – only to see it wiped out months later. Floodwaters inundated every building, the main warehouse’s roof was compromised and wind scattered merchandise into rising water. The family-owned business was brought back to ground zero overnight.
But they didn’t wait for rescue – Plush Appeal sprang into action. They bought mobile homes and secured FEMA trailers and power restoration with gasoline generators for their team, even mapping downed electrical poles to assist Entergy as the weeks progressed. While phone lines and utilities were still down across the city, Plush was rebuilding – not just for themselves, but for their customers.
Though mountains of general merchandise were lost, Halloween stock had yet to arrive and Plush paid to store it while they sourced independent truckers willing to cross into a restricted New Orleans. Their team was the first to ship UPS packages post-Katrina, distributing Halloween goods nationwide and generating the cash flow they urgently needed when insurance payouts stalled.
Even more critical, Mardi Gras merchandise – already in production – was on the way. Plush assured krewes they’d have what they needed, inspiring hope and momentum. Their confidence helped jumpstart Carnival’s return, despite ongoing questions about city services and public safety.
To house employees, the team cleared a warehouse and turned it into a mini community of trailers. The hardship sparked deep camaraderie. “It was an incredible time for our company and the city,” they recall.
When Mardi Gras 2006 rolled through, it wasn’t just a parade – it was proof that New Orleans would endure. Plush Appeal had helped lead the way, reminding everyone that while storms may destroy buildings, they can’t wash away tradition.
– Alyssa Fletchinger Higgins, Vice President, Plush Appeal – The Mardi Gras Spot
