WHAT’S
in store
Family By Leigh Ann Stuart
units
snag, but 1st Lake almost every Properties 1st Lake boasts a apartment portfolio of 9,000 community has a washer apartments. PhOTO COuRTESY and dryer 1ST LAKE option, PROPERTiES Domingue says. “You’re never looking for a laundry care facility anywhere with a 1st Lake property,” Domingue says. “Most are going to have [a] full-sized washer and dryer inside the apartment home, which is a great, great feature.” The asset renters find most valuable, however, doesn’t have anything to do with special perks or features, Domingue says. She believes the company’s staff sets it apart. Each community has an on-site management and maintenance team to help with residents’ needs. The staff includes a property manager, assistant property manager and several leasing agents, as well as a team of around-the-clock emergency maintenance workers. The team includes technicians specializing in areas such as air-conditioning and grounds maintenance. “Someone’s always there,” Domingue says “Whether it’s in the middle of the night or during the day, you can always contact someone and they’ll be out to take care of your needs.”
SHopping nEWs thE KuPcaKE Factory (citywide; www. thekupcakefactory.com) celebrates the grand opening of its fourth location at 911 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie (504-570-6420) from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a raffle and free mini-cupcakes and hot chocolate. Attendees are encouraged to bring toys to donate to Toys for Tots, and 20 percent of proceeds from the “hurricakes” sold at the store benefit those affected by hurricane Sandy. thE ogdEn MusEuM oF southErn art (925 Camp St., 504-539-9600;
www.ogdenmuseum.org) hosts The Art of Giving, a special holiday shopping event, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7. Museum members receive free wine and 15 percent off all items, which include art, jewelry, books, textiles and children’s items. There will be a cash bar and book signings, and attendees may view the six exhibitions, including Art of the Cup, that are on display in the museum.
by Missy Wilkinson
hazELnut (5515 Magazine St., 504-
891-2424; www.hazelnutneworleans.com) celebrates the grand opening of its Mandeville location (2735 hwy. 190, 985-626-8900) from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. There will be wine, cheese, cookies and a book signing by Bryan Batt.
dunLEith dEsigns, antiquEs, and giFts (1537 Metairie Road, Metairie, 504-
272-0879; www.dunleithdesigns.com) is closing. its entire inventory, which includes antiques, art, accessories, linens, furniture and lighting, is discounted up to 50 percent. nEW orLEans PharMacy MusEuM
(514 Chartres St., 504-565-8027; www. pharmacymuseum.org) holds its Aqua Vitale Benefit from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. There will be cocktails, dinner, dancing, a silent auction and a raffle. Tickets are $125, and all proceeds benefit the museum.
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Gambit > bestofneworleans.com > december 4 > 2012
st Lake Properties (4971 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, 877440-5253; www.1stlake.com) has been in business for more than 40 years. With a portfolio of more than 65 apartment communities and 9,000 apartments, its empire stretches across New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, River Ridge, Baton Rouge, Mandeville, Covington, Slidell and Mississippi. Most units range in size from studio apartments to one-, two- or three-bedroom rentals. But Abbi Domingue, director of marketing and customer relations, says these are just the tip of the iceberg. “Anything that somebody’s looking for [regarding] price, size [or] amenities, we can pretty much guarantee,” Domingue says. 1st Lake’s most popular properties are those located within apartment communities. These apartments often feature standard amenities such as off-street parking, gated entrances and pool and fitness center access. “Every community’s going to have at least one swimming pool that we take care of and have up and running for any time that you need,” Domingue says, adding that most are pet-friendly. “Some communities may have two, three or four pools on site for their residents.” Access to laundry facilities can be a difficult prize for a renter to
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