Category: Industry

Earl Bernhardt, Tropical Isle co-founder, dies at 80

Earl Bernhardt, co-founder of the iconic Tropical Isle bar and the Hand Grenade drink, reportedly died on Dec. 5. He was 80 years old.

Bernhardt, along with his business partner Pam Fortner, founded the Tropical Isle bar after the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition and its melon-flavored signature cocktail served in an elongated neon green container shaped.

Shaped like a hand grenade at the bottom, cups are often seen strewn along Bourbon Street on a daily basis and have become an essential part of French Quarter scenery.

The drink comes in two varieties: frozen or with ice.

The bar expanded to five locations on Bourbon Street and has been a French Quarter mainstay for decades.

Longtime Tropical Isle employees praise Bernhardt for his generosity and treating them like family despite running a high-volume business with stressful hours.

His reputation extended to the local music community as his venues hosted many popular bands and musicians over the years.

Bernhardt was also known for his flashy dress. During visits to the bar, Bernhardt was occasionally seen wearing a solid gold chain with a Hand Grenade medallion around his neck.

Bernhardt was originally from Jackson, Mississippi. A cause of death was not disclosed.

A second line celebration of life parade was held for Bernhardt on Monday, Dec. 16.

NOPD: Suspects distracted Bourbon Street bartender, then stole cash

Courtesy of NOPD.

The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) said two men are wanted after one allegedly distracted a bartender in the 800 block of Bourbon St., while the other grabbed cash from a bank bag on September 8.

The incident happened at about 5:30 a.m., according to the NOPD, adding that the suspects left the bar in an unknown direction.

The NOPD released a surveillance camera still photo allegedly showing the suspects, which is pictured above.

Anyone with information on the identity and whereabouts of the two men are asked to contact NOPD Eighth District detectives at 504-658-6080. Anonymous callers can call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 877-903-7867.

New Orleans jury quash felony marijuana charge against Antoine’s server

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A New Orleans potential jury of men and women weren’t convinced that Antoine’s server Jabar Kensey should face a felony marijuana charge in Criminal District Court on October 8, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate reported.

Kensey was arrested on Bourbon Street last January and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute after he was allegedly found with weed contained 17 individual baggies and $100 in cash, according to the newspaper.

Judge Waldron halted the jury selection process after 20 out of 25 potential jurors were dropped, with the judge emphasizing jurors who voiced their opinions on “whether or not (marijuana) should be the subject of criminal laws outlawing it,” the newspaper reported.

Under a plea agreement, prosecutors instead agreed to amend Kensey’s felony charge to a misdemeanor.

Kensey also agreed to spend 12 weekend days in jail and forfeit the $100 in cash he had with him on Bourbon Street last January.

Citing Stavros Panagoulopoulos, Kensey’s attorney, the newspaper reported that Kensey could have faced between 15 to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Kensey already has a conviction for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and one for simple burglary, both felonies.

Two suspects snatched $100 bill from victim’s hand on Bourbon Street, NOPD says

The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) released a surveillance camera photo of two males suspected of snatching a $100 bill out of a victim’s hand on Bourbon Street on September 26.

According to the NOPD, the victim was walking in the 200 block of Bourbon St. at 4:30 a.m. when one suspect allegedly snatched the bill victim’s hand.

The suspect and an accomplice, according to the NOPD, ran from the scene down Bourbon Street, turning left onto Iberville Street.

One suspect is described as male, possibly Hispanic, standing about six foot one inch and weight about 160 pounds. He was wearing a Chicago Bulls cap, black shirt and jeans.

The second suspect is also described as a male, possibly Hispanic, standing about five foot nine inches, and weighing about 180 pounds. He was last seen wearing a cap turned backwards, a black shirt and dark colored pants.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact NOPD Eighth District detectives at 504-658-6080. Anonymous callers can contact Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at  1-877-903-7867.