Black Pot Bookshop and Gifts will close its bricks-and-mortar store in downtown Opelousas, La., at the end of 2025 but will continue to make pop-up appearances at conventions and vendor shows.
In a message to customers announcing the closure, the Black Pot team wrote that Opelousas "has faced significant economic challenges for decades. The rise of strip malls and businesses opening along the interstate has drawn commerce away from the historic downtown area, leaving many storefronts vacant. This has led to a population decline, with the city's population dropping by over 6% between the 2010 and 2020 censuses."
While organizations continue to work toward a revitalization of downtown Opelousas, "a widespread economic turnaround remains a long and difficult process. The exodus of businesses has created a cycle of low traffic and a lack of critical mass to attract new ventures, making it incredibly challenging for small, independent shops like ours to thrive."
Store owner Jennifer Woodson added that the "overwhelming support" the store has received at conventions and vendor shows in the area "proves that the community for unique, curated books is vibrant and strong. We'll be focusing our efforts on these events, where we see a direct and enthusiastic response from our customers. We hope to see you there!"
In fall 2023, Woodson moved Black Pot Bookshop from a space inside the Spotted Cat Antique to a storefront in the historic Shute's Building in downtown Opelousas. The bookstore focuses on Acadiana culture and Louisiana art and history.