Address 215 & 219 S. Main St., St. Martinville, LA

Year Built 1897

Building History

Corner building was built in 1897 for T. J. Labbe as a drugstore.

Building Description

Vee’s 5¢ & 10¢ and Robert’s Lounge. Corner building housing Robert’s Lounge built in 1897. In early 1900’s adjacent building, now housing Vee’s, was added in a similar style. Two-story brick commercial building with shallow arch fenestration and brick paneled parapet and corbelled cornice. Lower shop fronts modified. Original ceramic mosaic style flooring still visible at front entrance of lounge.

Representative Men

Among the most prominent of young business men, T. J. Labbe, was well up in the front rank. A native of St. Martinville, born in November, 1867, he had always lived here. He received the larger part of his education at the State University at Baton Rouge, leaving that insititution at the age of 16, first clerked at C.L. Lacaze, then took charge of the drug business of A. Labbe & Son, while at the same time pursuing his studies in Pharmacy, subsequently standing a successful examination before the Board of Pharmacy, there being thn no pharmacy law in Lousiana. After having worked three years for his father, he bought him out. The same year he married Miss Corinne Fleming. It was just about this period that it can be said that his business career began. Being strictly attentive to business, of a studious disposition, with a natural bent towards science, he soon inspired the public with confidence in his professional ability; not only did this confidence extend locally but was also recognized by his nomination and election to the highest office within the gift of his professional brethren–President of the Board.

Being but 24 years age at the time, gave him the distinction of being the youngest President ever selected to preside over a State Board of Pharmacy in the United States. Mr. Labbe belonged to the new school of business men; the class that contributed so much to rebuild St. Martinville. In addition to the drug business Mr. Labbe conducted a large hardware and furniture department, which, however, was in charge of one of his popular and trusted clerks, Mr. H.P. Olivier. Mr Labbe was not only popular and progressive, but aggressive in every measure that could do good to the people and the town, and was always one of the first to put his shoulder to the wheel. Fraternally inclined he was a member of the Kinghts of Pythias, Knights of Honor, a member of Board of Trade, and a strong pillar in the Carnival Association, besides being an active member of the Volunteer Steam Fire Co. No. 1.

Mr. Labbe had by far one of the prettiest drug stores in Southwest Louisiana, having full lenght French Plate Glass Front and Tiled Flooring, handsomely arranged and ornamented.

T.J. Labbe was 29 years old in 1896. Born as Joseph Theobald Labbe on 6 Nov 1867 in St. Martinville, LA to Joseph Arthur Labbe and Marie Amandina Stephanie Duchamp.

Married first at age 22 on Apr 24 1889 in St. Martinville, LA to Marie Corinne Flemin (1870-1924), daughter of Jean Marie Auguste Van Ummelen “A.V.” Fleming and Julie Alice Clairville Broussard.

Married second on 26 Jul 1924 in St. Martinville, LA to Alice Marie Bienvenu, daughter of Alexander Wilham Bienvenu and Blanche Marie Marioneaux.

After his success in business, T.J. continued his high achieving career. He was St. Martinville’s mayor from 1896-1898, state senator from 1900-1904 and form 1908-1912, president of the St. Martin Parish school board from 1900-1908. He worked hard for education, as evidenced by his campioning the formation of Southwestern Louisiana State University and the growth of the public school system while he headed the school board. he also had a long parallel career as a bank officer, in addition to tending to his pharmacy and hardware store.

Died 12 Jul 1949. Buried in St. Martin of Tours Cemetery, Section 3, Row 9.

Open to Public? Yes

Other Info

Labbe Drug Store & Hardware, Furniture & Saddlery: located at the southeast corner of Old Market Street and South Main Street, one block south of the Public Square. The drug store site was Robert’s Bar and the hardware store became the St. Martin Bank & Trust operations center.

Source: 1896 in Le Petit Paris: Turning the Century in Southwest Louisiana by Lawrence F.M. Capuder, Sr.

c. 1894

Robert’s Lounge

St. Martin Bank Administration