Noreen Alltmont is a whirlwind of activity

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, March 31, 1999

DEBORAH CORRAO / L’Observateur / March 31, 1999

It’s pretty safe to say Noreen Alltmont has been around the block more than a few times.

As a matter of fact, at the age of 80, Alltmont recently won first place in the 70-and-up class in a two-mile race sponsored by Shannon’s Health and Fitness Center in LaPlace. She won the race in a time that beat some ofher younger competitors.

Barely 5 feet tall, Alltmont is a powerhouse, working out at the gym twice or more a week, walking in her neighborhood on other days and keeping up with a whirlwind of activities that has her running circles around people half her age.

A native of Sherman, Texas, she met her future husband Alfred Alltmont while she was attending Newcomb College in New Orleans. In 1939 thenewlyweds settled in Reserve to run the family business, Chas. Alltmont &Bro. Store, best known at that time as the Reserve & Star Store.In 1904, Charles Alltmont, Alfred Alltmont’s father, opened a store in St.

James Parish with $2,500 in lottery winnings. Within months the ill-fatedbusiness, located near a railroad track, went up in flames ignited by a spark from a passing coal-burning engine. In 1905 Charles Alltmont andhis brother bought the Reserve & Star Store.

When Charles Alltmont passed away his son Alfred became partners with his uncle. By the time Alfred and Noreen Alltmont were married the storehad been in business for 34 years. They leased the building from GodchauxSugars, Inc., and, while it served as a company store, it operated as anindependent enterprise.

The store cashed payroll checks for Godchaux’s employees but also catered to other local patrons. Since many customers couldn’t read or write atthat time, the Alltmonts issued scrip in denominations of $5 and less which could be used for merchandise or at the bar housed in the store.

Employees ate breakfast and lunch prepared by a cook at Alfred Alltmont’s house located behind the store.

Business had steadily grown through the years from a one-clerk operation delivering goods by mule and wagon to a thriving general merchandise store which employed 16 clerks. Three trucks made daily deliveries topatrons as far north as Lutcher and as far south as LaPlace.

In addition to the original grocery section, departments sold all types of dry goods, shoes, hats and ladies’ ready-to-wear. In 1937 a meat marketand auto accessory department were added. Two years later a departmentspecializing in electrical household equipment was opened.

Noreen Alltmont adapted quickly to life in the small community of Reserve, and eventually the couple had two sons of their own.

“It was a wonderful place to raise children,” she says. “We had lots offriends and participated in a lot of community activities.”In 1952 Charles Alltmont established another store, Alltmont’s, on Main Street in LaPlace, and he moved it to Airline Highway in 1966. Alltmont’sspecialized in ladies’, men’s and children’s apparel. Noreen, along with apartner, Joyce Coleman, also owned an interior design business, Alltmont- Coleman Interiors, which they operated for 25 years.

In the mid-80s the Alltmonts moved to LaPlace when Alfred became ill and closed both stores. Alfred Alltmont passed away in 1987.Now a widow, Noreen Alltmont looks back at her life in St. John Parishwith contentment. During the 60 years she’s been a part of the community,her family has grown to include four grandchildren and two great- grandchildren.

Her LaPlace home reflects the many interests in her life, from the art work on the walls, the graceful furnishings, the profusion of flowerbeds surrounding her house.

She enjoys gardening and walking and, while she doesn’t consider herself an athlete, says she just likes being involved in physical activity.

“I’ve been blessed with good health,” she says. “I’ve always been active.”Besides her regular exercise regime and bridge games once or twice a week, she drives into New Orleans on a regular basis to social events with friends she’s kept up with since her college days. She also likes to travelboth in the United States and abroad.

While traveling she enjoys visiting art museums, and she supports the work of Louisiana artists she admires.

Recently she toured New Mexico and Colorado as part of a program called Elder Hostel, an educational travel group. At the College of Santa Fe sheparticipated in an arts and theater workshop.

She’s also preparing for an upcoming trip to Europe where she will visit Warsaw, Prague and Budapest.

The travel bug bit her when her children grew up and she and her husband found they were now free to do some of the things they had put off while raising a family. Her favorite trip is one she took with her husband andanother couple to Europe for six weeks.

She views her life as a successful one because she enjoyed a wonderful marriage. She says she is especially proud that her children andgrandchildren finished college and are successful in their own careers.

And while the former Texan admits she still stands up when they play “The Eyes of Texas,” she says she has found her niche in the River Parishes.

“I know so many people,” she says. “LaPlace has gotten so big since I camehere, but it’s filled with wonderful, friendly people.”Back to Top

Back to Leisure Headlines

Copyright © 1998, Wick Communications, Inc.

Internet services provided by NeoSoft.

Best viewed with 3.0 or higher