Rennaissance Antiques and Gifts

Located at the southeast corner of the Florida Street/Gibson Street intersection in downtown Covington is this imposing structure, built in 1910 originally as the Covington Ice House, according to historical records. The address is 322 N. Florida. 

 Currently the building houses Rennaissance Antiques and Gifts, and an artful soda fountain counter and cafe tables known as Cafe Cabaret. 

It served as the Ice House until the 1920s when it became home to D'Aquin's Wholesale Grain Company. The next tenant was the Blossman Petrolane Gas Company in 1934 which added a modern "art deco" front extension to the building and occupied it for decades. About 25 years ago it was renovated as Downtown Drugs. Click on the images to make them larger.

Here's a photo tour of the building and its many unique features. First there are outside pictures, followed by inside pictures. 

To see the store's website, CLICK HERE.

In the back are the Blossman Executive Offices

 

 

Inside the building is a variety of antiques and gift items

An old ice box

An old roll top desk

An even older roll top desk
Dutch Colonial roll top desk circa 1740 

This eight foot plus tall "Secretary Bookcase" furniture piece came from the antebellum estate "Stonehenge" which was built in 1837 on Plank Road in Baton Rouge by Judge Lafayette Saunders. The piece came from an auction held in 1998 of the estate of Dr. and Mrs. Clovis, who were direct descendants of Judge Saunders.

Described as a Tall Empire "burl" bookcase secretary, the piece of furniture was created around 1820 and belonged to Judge Saunders personally. He had reportedly acquired it while on a trip to New Orleans where the secretary/bookcase had been made. He used it to hold his law books. While he lived and worked in Baton Rouge, Judge Saunders also traveled around the state to hear legal cases.  

 

The felt covered writing surface was used as a desk, but when not in use it could be folded up and becomes a matching part of the front of the bookcase.