Dew Drop Inn | Curtis Doucette Jr.

On this episode of Culture & Flavor, Zella talks with Curtis Doucette, Jr., owner and developer of the Dew Drop Inn, a restored music venue and boutique hotel in New Orleans, Central City. A New Orleans native, Curtis is also the co-founder and CEO of Iris Development, a real estate firm focused on rehabilitating blighted properties and creating affordable housing in New Orleans and New York City. Before founding Iris in 2012, Curtis developed and managed a multimillion-dollar portfolio of residential real estate in Louisiana, utilizing creative financing to serve low- and moderate-income residents. In 2021, Curtis acquired the historic Dew Drop Inn, once home to legendary artists like Ray Charles and Little Richard. After a three-year renovation, it reopened with a 350-person music venue, 17 guest rooms, a restaurant, and a pool club. Curtis holds an M.S. from Columbia University and a B.A. from Dillard University, and is committed to community development and supporting minority-owned businesses. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.