Hey Blake,
A photo shared on Facebook of Canal Street in the 1950s featured a sign for a business called Sutton’s Fairyland. I’m intrigued by the name; what can you tell me about it?
Dear reader,
Sutton’s Fairyland in the 800 block of Canal Street was one of several retail establishments owned and operated by Joseph M. Sutton and his family.
According to his May 24, 1980, Times-Picayune obituary, Sutton was born in Syria and moved to New Orleans in 1913. He opened his first store downtown in 1915.
In 1936, Sutton leased a building at 810 Canal St. and opened Sutton’s Fairyland. A newspaper ad showcased the wide range of items available: china dinner sets, imported rugs and linens, as well as gifts, children’s clothing and costumes. Sutton opened another store at 801 Canal in 1940, in addition to operating gift shops inside the Roosevelt Hotel and Hotel Monteleone.
In 1955, Sutton moved his Canal Street store to 829 Canal. Like many other downtown merchants, it featured elaborate holiday window displays. Two years later Sutton’s Fairyland opened its first suburban location in Metairie’s Crescent Airline shopping center.
A location in Gretna’s Westside shopping center followed in 1958. In 1960, when Lakeside Shopping Center opened in Metairie, Sutton’s Fairyland was one of the original tenants.
The Sutton’s Fairyland chain closed in 1974. It was being run by Sutton’s son Meyer “Mike” Sutton. He operated a Royal Street gift and jewelry store called Cynthia et Cie until retiring in 1999. Mike Sutton died in 2015, and his son Joey remains in the retail business with the Vintage 329 shop on Royal Street.
Owner Frank Painia opened his bar, restaurant, barbershop and hotel in 1939.
