Gaudet Bros. salon to close in Garden District

Thursday will be the last day of operation for Gaudet Bros. salon at its Garden District location at 1284 Perkins Road, says owner Micah Nickens. On Jan. 25, Nickens received a stop work order from the city on the planned expansion of his popular salon into the former Tiger District warehouse next door. Though the property is zoned for commercial use, Nickens has weighed his options and decided to relocate the business. Featured as one of 225‘s People to Watch in 2013, the longtime stylist and current Culture Candy board member had plans for the expanded salon that included art, fashion and music events as well as the retail location for NOLA Fashion Week founder Andi Eaton’s new clothing line. Nickens says he hopes to find a new location in Mid City or downtown. “I can’t change the business model, but I can change the location,” Nickens says. According to the business owner, the expanded salon would have needed a waiver to allow him to operate with only four parking spaces adjacent to the property. Nickens has decided not to wait for the Planning and Zoning Commission to grant a waiver. Until he finds a new location, Nickens plans to operate Gaudet Bros. as a pop-up salon at various events and locations in Baton Rouge and New Orleans. —Jeff Roedel