New Orleans getting back to business

By Matthew Davis
BBC News, New Orleans

The storm wrecked Kim Nga Vu's family business

The antique furniture restoration shop Fortune Line was not as lucky as its name suggests.

Kim Nga Vu's family business occupies a three-storey building in the Metairie suburb of New Orleans and was badly hit by Hurricane Katrina.

Nearly three weeks after the storm, the family has finally seen the extent of the damage to their shop.

"There is a big hole in the roof, the water has come through and soaked all our machines," says Kim. "At the back you can see the whole wall has collapsed. It is very sad.

"We have been here 15 years, but I don't know if our insurance will cover us."

The dilapidation is not the only change. The power is still off, and there is no water to clean the debris-strewn floor.

Smashed by looters

An army checkpoint has been set up metres away in what was once a busy road bustling with customers and traffic.

About a mile up the road, Christine Vo's pawn shop has been badly hit - not by the storm, but by looters.

The only thing we can do is pick ourselves up and clean the mess Christine Vo Pawn shop owner

The front door has been smashed in and a metal grille forced open.

Bulky televisions have been left in the shop, but smaller items like jewellery and MP3 players have been stolen.

"I am speechless," Christine says.

"It is one thing to be hit by a storm, but it is really upsetting that people, who probably live in this area, have broken into the shop.

"We have been here 15 years, it is part of our life. The only thing we can do is pick ourselves up and clean the mess."

Businessmen like Steve Ramsey (left) are determined to start again

Across the street, Kappa Horn is opening at Slim Goodies Diner. Boxes of blueberries nestle amid tins of beans, water bottles and sodas.

Kappa says it is great to see so many familiar faces again after two weeks spent out of town, getting by in the Louisiana state capital Baton Rouge.

"Come Monday morning you are going to see so many people, real New Orleans people, it is gong to be packed," she says.

"Am I staying? Damn right I am."

'Distressing'

A few businesses never left New Orleans. Some of the city's big hotels stayed open, becoming impromptu command centres for the police, military and relief workers.

Johnnie White's, a small bar on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, fulfilled its boast of never closing. It became a community rallying point for many of those in the quarter that refused to leave their homes.

But it is uncertain how many of the city's 450,000 residents can or will return.

Steve Ramsey, regional director for Radio Shack, is overseeing the reopening of about 20 shops across the city.

"The mayor told us he wanted to see us back in business because people need us back in business," he says.

Come back for Mardi Gras. Then you will see the real New Orleans again Kappa Horn Diner owner

"We are bussing in shipments of goods like indoor antennas that people will use to get TV sets up and running. A lot of what we sell is essential stuff that helps people communicate."

The company's flagship store on Canal Street suffered some flood damage but was not looted.

However Mr Ramsey said three stores in "rougher areas of town" had been stripped bare.

"We are a big chain, but it is still a distressing experience for staff to go back and find their work places trashed," he says.

Across the city, the first signs of commercial life are flourishing again.

But the question remains whether ordinary residents will want to return to a New Orleans where the water is not safe to drink and huge swathes of the city are still devastated.

Schools, some hospitals and many businesses remain closed and many will not reopen for months.

Despite the optimism, it could take years for a full recovery.

"The journey has to start somewhere," says Kappa Horn. "For me it is putting my blueberry pancakes back on the menu.

"Come back for Mardi Gras," she says. "Then you will see the real New Orleans again."