Banana Manor Moves to Expand Operation in New Orleans

May 14, 2025  by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry   

The space they took over to make their Warehouse Showroom was formerly occupied by a custom fabrication business called Construct. Banana Manor Owner Scot McKearn says, “As a serial entrepreneur, veteran importer/wholesaler/retailer, I have always found a diamond in the rough. A property that no one else saw beauty or value in it. I then cover the ugly and expose the beauty and transform the space into a jewel.” The space was very raw and dirty, but McKearn transformed it into the one-of-a-kind rug retail experience.

McKearn had a right of first refusal to purchase the building and planned on staying in this property for the life of the business and using offsite warehouses to meet storage needs as the business grows. When the 94 year old owner of the property passed away at the end of 2024, McKearn was assured by the Real Estate Agent that the agreed upon price of 1.2 million was a lock and that it was not going to turn into a bidding war. 

This was not how it played out. The Mardi Gras Krewe Hermes has their den directly behind the Banana Manor property. They have had their eye on the property for years and built their den with the intention to purchase the Banana Manor property eventually and to expand the den onto it. Hermes came in and offered 1.5 million and came out ahead. “They told me they were going to tear down our 10,000 sq ft storage warehouse, but they did not need the 10,000 Warehouse Showroom, so we should be able to remain there and rent from them”, says McKearn. After a couple of months, McKearn was informed that the Hermes Board of Directors decided that they want to do something with the building, although they were not sure what and that I would need to relocate.

McKearn said, “It was devastating but I learned long ago in business, that when something terrible happens, in the end, it can prove to be a positive thing that allows you to take your business to the next level. I decided to make this one of those opportunities.”

He has had his eye on the NOLA Brewery Warehouse, two blocks down from his current location, since they downsized and only occupy 1/3 of the property. McKearn reached out to Parke McEnery of McEnery Real Estate and set the wheels in motion to take over the property and move on to the next phase of growth for the Banana Manor brand.

The renovation of the space began last week with a tentative opening date of June15th. Banana Manor will continue to operate out of the current space and hopes to only have to shut down for a few days when they transition into operating out of the new space. They are running a huge “Onward & Upward Moving Sale”, with 1000’s of handmade rugs at 40-80% off of their “We are the Factory Prices”. The Sale Event will end when they make the move from 2901 to 3015 Tchoupitoulas St.

Off-street parking, ample showroom and storage space and even an outdoor space in the front and rear of the property so they can recreate their “Backyard at Banana Manor”. The “Adult Playground”, with a stock tank swimming pool, cornhole, ping pong, darts, etc..