Bio: Louise Rew,  Caddo Parish La
Source: From Chronicles of Shreveport and Caddo Parish, Maude Hearn O'Pry,
1928, 
Submitted by: Kay Thompson Brown


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LOUISE REW

I HAVE been asked to turn the pages of Shreveport history and give a brief
resume of my  millinery shop since my formal opening in February, 1896.
Thirty-two years a merchant and what changes time has wrought, the older
residents fully understand and appreciate; the younger ones cannot grasp.
Shreveport was then a small town of not 20,000 and with none of the
improvements of a town having that population of today--more like a village of
some 5,000.

From St. Louis I came to begin my career as a merchant. My first store was
located at 320 Texas Street. The announcement of my formal opening was
heralded far and wide, invitations having been sent out, and "Mi Lady" eagerly
awaited the opening of a new Millinery Parlor, and that opening marked
an epoch in the millinery history of our city. My parlor was equipped with the
most modern fixtures and stocked with the latest creations from the leading
millinery centers

To the strains of sweet music, the feminine world gazed and admired;
expressions of wonder and delight came from all, for well they realized that
the millinery status had been advanced for them. From that day~February 25,
1896, until the present day, my doors have been open. My patrons have been
the representative women of Shreveport and environs---women who have played
their part in the making of history of our community.

I remained at the first location until December, 1897. at which time I sought
new temporary quarters at 404 Texas Street, in the old Opera House.  My
temporary quarters became permanent, for there I remained for a quarter of a
century, it being in the very center of the shopping district and so well
established as a business. Courtesy and consideration were extended each
patron. Here was found the proper and correct style from babyhood, through
childhood; the sweet girl graduate; the lovely debutante; the blushing bride;
matrons, and the sorrowing ones-one and all could select the correct thing
in millinery. It is no uncommon occurrence to have a mother selecting bridal
millinery for the daughter, tell us that lie, too, had purchased her own
bridal chapeau from us.

Our city grew and the shopping district kept pace, so that in November, 1923,
I removed to my present location-506 McNeil.  My patrons overwhelmed me with
congratulations and felicitations in my beautiful new Millinery Salon. Here I
hope to continue to give to the feminine public the same courteous treatment
that I have always accorded them during my thirty-two years as a merchant.



                             * * *

The editor of this volume cannot but comment upon the romantic side of Miss
Rew's business. Back of her success has been a wonderful foundation: a
spirit of justice in her dealings with her employees, no less than with her
patrons. There has been that finer, (alas! too seldom does one see it)
character that realty applies the Golden Rule in every day life, and
appreciates the efforts of others, This sterling quality has attracted and
kept at her side an old friend who enjoys the success of her employer.
                                
Miss Rew was a pioneer in the field of industry for women. At the time she set
forth to wrest success from the mercantile field, woman was rarely found. She
has proved that a woman need not be fickle in her business dealings and is
living a life worthy of emulation.