Jefferson Variety Store

Just across the parish line into Jefferson Parish, down a street that is lined with warehouses, landscape businesses and the like is this nondescript building that does not look like much from the outside. But as with almost anything, it is what is on the inside that counts. I came today not looking for anything related to Mardi Gras or Halloween (people here go all out for Halloween, no matter what the age is) so they were not busy at all. I came in search of a tiara upon the recommendation for fellow Unilocal-​er Jen B. And I was not let down. There were several dozen different types to choose from, and I was able to choose one within my price range, checked out and I was done. There was only one other group of about 5 that were together ahead of me. I can not speak for the wait during the busy season.
Let me tell you, this may be a bit out of the way for me at least, but it is worth the trip out. Right now, there is road construction on Claiborne near here, but it will not affect your trip. There is a bit of everything here, 95% cheaper than anything in the Quarter, though I can not really speak for other places out of the Quarter. They have everything. EVERYTHING. I am not gifted in the craft making, but there would be enough even for me to create something. Plenty of beads, masks, hats, umbrella decorations, anything you can think of you can find here. The gal helping me was perfectly friendly, and I will come back and refer others looking for decorations or that little something to make your costume finished and to complete your look. It may seem disorganized, but these peeps know where everything is. A place for everything and everything in its place.
COME HERE if you need anything!

I came here because this is pretty much the only independent fabric store in New Orleans. This place only carries very low quality, tacky fabric; not even stuff I would use to make a costume. I guess you can shop here if Joann’s is too high-​end for you…

good material and trim selection with good prices
helpful employees
worth the trip
One of the dirtiest public bathrooms i’ve ever seen– leaky plumbing and dirty– no paper

Some folks have given a low rating and claimed to be waiting in line for hours while staff hang out talking. It may feel this way sometimes but there is only 1 rule there, «Wait in line for someone to help you». It might take 20 minutes on a busy day but that person is yours till you check out, they don’t answer your question then leave. if staff looks like they are hanging out, its because the customer is wasting their time. Don’t be a douche, just wait for your person like the rest of us, then get all the help you need. THE place for costume materials, feathers and sparkly appliques.

So it’s the day before Krewe Du Vieux and I’m almost ready, but I need about 400 more throws and a bit of trim for the costume. I generally shop online but this year I pledged to do all my Mardi Gras shopping local. So I head to Jefferson Variety. I knew about the long lines from reading Unilocal,and I had a frantic day ahead of me, so I made sure to get there ten minutes before the store opened, thinking I could be in and out quickly. At the open time, no one was there. A few minutes later a lady drives up and tells me that she is an employee but that she has to wait for the owners who «never show on time.» Huh? I wait 15 more minutes. More people show up and there is a clump of people in the parking lot and no indication that anyone with a key is ever coming. Based on the crowd I realize my dream of getting in and out is a lie. What sort of owners let their customers stand out in the cold waiting to get in while they are (I assume) home drinking coffee and not worrying about the hours sign on their door? Off I go to Hobby Lobby for the trim. Next year I’m back to ordering throws online– guilt-​free!

House of sparkle, glitter and throws! I love weaving through their piles of fabric and finding inspiration for costumes. At least one trip per carnival season is mandatory!

Costume designers, krewe members, enthusiasts of all things plush-​y and plastic, lend me your ears…
Carnival season can’t start without at least one visit to the variety stores around town carrying the whoz-​its and what’s-its that make this time of year so special. They’re are only a handful and they all seemed to be tucked away in some left, right, left, left corner of New Orleans to keep the riff raff from just perusing.
I think my fault is that I can’t sew, am not a crew member, but I doooo love to ogle at all things plush-​y and plastic in hopes of finding that perfect event trophy/​award (y’all know how I roll).
I feel like Jefferson Variety is more on the side of the «I know I’m looking for an oversized banana» OR «I’ve got a MOM’s Ball costume to adorn with various feathers, sequins, and appliques to blow all other costumes out of the water» type folks, and that’s fine by me so I tend to not venture in here alone.
While there is organization in the front with various bins of wonderfully unique throw items and decorations that I believe to be well priced, the fabric area is a little bit of a snafu in some parts though they do have some areas organized with specific types of fabrics. Some of these fabrics are so incredibly beautiful that I may venture to find a master sewer to make a dress for me one day.
I’m sure the staff knows where every button, brocade, and bedazzled item is in the store, but alas, this time of year, it’s pretty dang busy in there so if you like scavenger hunts, this may be the place for you!
They’ve got pounds of glitter. I repeat pounds of glitter in every color imaginable. The fluffiest of boas and a variety of intricate and beautiful appliques for those that aren’t necessarily sewing inclined.
I think if I do every develop my skill for the art of sewing, I can utilize this store more to my benefit. I would definitely recommend popping in here at least once during Carnival to see if they’ve got that perfect something something for you!

Service can be a tad slow, but all of that is forgiven with the amazing selection of fabrics and costuming adornments such as fringe, sequins, borders, lace, etc.
And the value is amazing! Cheap!

We come here to buy supplies and throws, plain and simple, we can see the staff are busy but helpful Valerie, Brianne, Jessica, and the rest of crew simply wonderful and friendly. We highly recommend this place its not a glamorous place, but the product is the best in the region, our regular sales girl Valerie is got to be one of New Orleans gifted when it comes to ideas and craft and talent.

Jefferson variety does have a variety of items but certainly has a variety of mess!
Poor service — you may wait in line for hours! I waited for over 20 minutes in line and workers just laid all around talking to people and not serving us!
Messiness — everything of one kind may be on one wall, but it will either be tangled, broken, nasty, empty, or in the wrong place.
Other than that you may find what you are looking for over here… Just bring a huge bag of patience and prepare for a messy visit.

I have put off this review for a couple years. It is a Mardi Gras staple, a NOLA icon. It’s also strangely dirty and funky. I hate to call it dirty, but I really want to break out a broom and sweep and just organize the crap out of this place when I go here. I would never wear white clothes to shop here. I spend about 45 seconds of my time when I am here genuinely befuddled by how the inside and outside are so disheveled.
Shrugging it off…
This is one of the go to places to get Mardi Gras throws. Anyone who is anyone that rides, knows about JVS. If you are from out of town and want to get a unique perspective on Mardi Gras and where all the stuff you catch comes from take a ride down Iris, a sad desolate, grimy street that runs off of Jefferson Highway. I’m pretty certain you won’t get robbed here, but you will find yourself squirming in your seat.
I have never attempted to buy fabric or anything in the back room, the customer service there is legendary. Bad. I went in the back once to look around and I was asked if I was PLANNING to buy ANYTHING! Now, I keep to the front of the store, I know my place, among the colorful trinkets and beads that are stacked and packed in splatter painted cubes covered with a not so fine layer of dust and grime.
The staff in the front has never been rude, they just seem sooooo busy. If you go when they aren’t slammed during peak Mardi Gras season, they actually seem pretty nice. However the organization and trash never seems to improve. But I suppose as busy as they are, there is no motivation to change anything. I will probably never stop shopping here, they have lay a way and I depend on them to maintain some level of sanity in the ever rising price war of Mardi Gras throws.

You can meet many of your Mardi Gras throw, costume and decoration needs here. This is a warehouse of Mardi Gras fun with all manner of interesting items on display that can be purchased in large or small quantities. Definitely an easy to access spot off of River Road not far from the Riverbend.

From the outside, it doesn’t look like much. Heck, from the inside it doesn’t look like much either, but this place is a bit of a treasure trove if you’re a do-​it-​yourselfer when it comes to crafting, sewing and/​or costuming.
Be prepared though, either know exactly what you’re looking for or have plenty of time on your hands. The bolts of material are strewn about on tables and wall fixtures from end to end and from floor to ceiling. There’s cases and cabinets and little drawers practically overflowing with every kind of accessory, appliqué’, rhinestone, crystal, sequin and notion under the sun. It seems endless and chaotic, but the staff seem to have a pretty good idea where everything is. There must be a method to the madness.
I’ve been there when there’s a crowd, and you have to bring extra patience with you if they’re busy. So if its near Mardi Gras or Halloween you’re going to wait, just deal with it. Today I went in for long black opera length gloves and walked out in less than 5 minutes paying only $ 6, which is ¹⁄₃ the price I would have paid elsewhere and I didn’t have to look around. I said what I was looking for, the lady put it right in my hand and I was out the door.
If you’re a krewe rider, looking to stock up on your throws, you won’t find as big a selection as you would at Accent Annex or Beads by the Dozen, but what they have is more than adequate and well priced.

I can’t say enough about this place.
I went by today to get some help with a costume for Halloween. Jessica assisted me and was just plain awesome! She had ideas for my costume that I never would have thought of and was really good about asking me lots of questions so I got everything I needed. Plus if you like sequins, silky fabrics, crazy patterns, feathers, costuming, mardi gras etc this place is MECCA!
Thank you so much for the help today! I will be back again, and again!
AND almost forgot, I asked if they have any seamstresses or tailors that they are fond of because the fabric selection is massive and I have a few dress patterns I would like made. Jessica got me a sheet with over half a dozen names. SO HELPFUL!

Need stuff for Mardi Gras?
This is your one stop shop. In the front it’s nothing but throws and decorations and in the back is just filled to overflowing with costume making supplies.
Some things like certain lengths of fringe, feathers, fabrics or certain colors of sparkle trim you can’t score anywhere else in the city, other things you might find cheaper at a fabric store or online. Prices aren’t too bad if you’re just trying to one stop shop. They have great prices on second line umbrella bases.
Staff is professional but cool. During the buildup to Carnival season don’t expect a lot of friendly conversation or costume advice here. Buy your stuff and leave.
Place is dusty and has a warehouse feel. Make sure your stuff isn’t dirty before you buy.
Mommy notes: Close quarters, lots of shiny things, leave the little ones at home.

It’s a great resource for costume making. It’s best to come in here knowing what you want. It’s a family run business and they’ve been doing this for years. They are very professional but not overly conversational. Be prepared for children and loud talking –it’s an experience.

Reams and reams of fabric? Check. Fabric covered in glitter?! Check. Sequins, feathers, appliques?! CHECK CHECK CHECK. Everything you need for making any costume (or in my case, tutus and headbands. as I’m not that crafty). They sell glitter in bulk. They even have hat forms for all your needs.
I am absolutely obsessed with this place. The staff is great and knowledgeable. They’ve got every type of fabric I’m looking for and more. Also for mardi gras, they have tons of throws and beads and decorations. Being here inspires me to what I could make — I just wish I had the skills to back up my big crafty dreams. I guess that’s what pinterest is for. I love this place.

What? I don’t have a review of this joint? Craziness
So, yeah, you can buy your throws here (beads, stuffed animals, spears, etc), but the real reason to hunt this joint down in a mixed residental/​industrial area is for the costume supplies.
Gaudy satins, sparkly trim, appliques, tulle (for homemade tutus), hats, feathers, feathers, feathers. All of it is here. Caveats: check for cleanliness. Since this is all stored in a warehouse, the bottom of the pile fabrics can be dusty/​dirty. Also make sure the checkout folks treat your feathers gently.
You can also buy tiaras, scepters and other royal accouterments here. I mean who doesn’t need a Mother of the Queen pin?

In a dream world, Cher, Carol Channing, Doris Eaton Travis, Mae West and Dolly Parton have collaborated on their dream store…
and they bring you Jefferson Variety.
This is no dream, though.
One of my earliest memories has me at 5 or 6 traipsing around all kinds of stores with my mom who was in search of a certain shade of lemon yellow ostrich feathers for some kind of accessory she was making for an evening gown. It was quite the search, as I do recall and the feathers seemed priceless and eureka, when she found her feathers, they had to be dyed elsewhere.
Nowadays, most people do such searches online, but then there are those of us who wait until the last minute to arrange costumes. Jefferson Variety comes to the rescue of many a showgirl, costume maker, drag queen, and Mardi Gras Indian!
I mean… Ostrich feathers. For sale right there in front of you. In a wide array of colors! And much much more, all sizes and types in the feather department (holy crap, they have an entire «feather department»).
Oh, the feathers. The appliqués. The glitter. The fringe. The sequins. The yards and yards of sparkly fabrics. I’ve died and gone to burly-​q heaven. Halloween heaven. Mardi Gras heaven. Heaven heaven.
Variety is an UNDERSTATEMENT. This store will blow your mind!!!
And yes, they have FabriTac.

This is where I go to get things that turn every day clothing into costume wear. The sparkles, the sequin trim, the satin fabric, feathers, sequined appliques, beads, gems, the tulle; this is where it all waits until it can be a part of my next costume. They also have umbrellas and more than a dozen styles of hats, all blank until something wonderful is created out of them.
At first glance you’ll think ‘this can’t be where I’m looking for.’ Down a crappy street surrounded by industrial businesses, the building looks out of place, and certainly doesn’t look like the jackpot of mardi gras worthy notions that it truly is inside. Then, when you walk inside the building, the first room looks like they are about to go out of business, even around carnival season. You can tell they sell beads and throws, but I have never seen this area fully stocked, ever. Just go into the second room and take a second to take it all in. It is unlike anything I have ever seen. The shiniest fabric, the largest selection of sequined trims and fringe, most tulle styles that I ever knew existed, until I came here for the first time about ten years ago.
Now I am here each year at carnival time and at least one more time per year for another odd occasion that needs some flair and sparkle. I have a bottle of fabric glue that I bought here a few years ago whose name sums it all up: «Quik & Tacky».