Rose Nicaud
First Coffee Vendor in New Orleans

 

 

 
 
 
Famous Creoles
Rosette Rochon 
  Harold Doley
  Andre Cailloux
  Dr. Roudanez
  Francis E. Dumas
  Jean Baptiste Du Sable
  Jelly Roll Morton
  Fats Domino
  Henriette Delille
  General Beauregard
  Norbert Rillieux
  Louis Moreau Gottschalk
  Rose Nicaud
  Morris W. Morris
  Edmonde Dede
  Louis A. Snaer
  Pinchback
  Don Vappie
  John Audobon
  Joan Bennett
  Jean Lafitte
  Morton Downey Jr.
  Julien Hudson
  Illinois Jacquet
  Bryant C. Gumbel
  Marie Laveau
  Gilbert E. Martin
  Rudolphe Lucien Desdunes
  Ernest Morial
  Bill Picket
  Bishop Healy
  John Willis Menard
  Homer Plessy
  Ward Connerly
AP Tureaud
  Bishop Olivier
  George Herriman
  Alexander Dumas
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Rose Nicaud started in the early 1800s the tradition of public coffee houses in New Orleans, such as Café du Monde and the Morning Call. One loyal customer said one time, "Her coffee, is like the benediction that follows after prayer."

 

Nicaud was a woman of color who managed tobuy her freedom. She saw the need of people; going to market or to Mass at the cathedral, for a cup of fresh, hot coffee along the way. She set up a portable stand and became an immediate success. Soon, there were a lot of small, portable coffee stands, each offering a different brew and each managed by a free woman of color.

 

Cafe Du Mode.. New Orleans


In the beginning people stood to drink their coffee. Later Nicaud was able to get a permanent stand in the French Market and could offer seating for her customers. Nicaud is but one example of resourceful New Orleans women who owned and managed their own businesses.

Taken from:
"Women and New Orleans A History"
author: Mary Gehman