New Orleans Restaurant Haunted by Ghost of Katrina Victim 10 Years Later?

Is this New Orleans Restaurant Haunted by Ghost of Katrina Victim 10 Years Later?

A guide holds up a sign for Haunted History Tours in New Orleans, where ghosts and the paranormal are a booming business.

New Orleans Restaurant Haunted by Ghost of Katrina Victim 10 Years Later?

Last August 29th marked the ten year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation upon the city of New Orleans . Although it’s been a decade since the tragedy, there may be one troubled soul who is still experiencing the horror of the events from the beyond the grave. WGNO of New Orleans recently reported that the owners of Charcoal’s Gourmet Burger Bar on the corner of Magazine and Jackson Street claim to be haunted by the ghost of a woman who died tragically the day after the Category 3 storm brought unrest to The Big Easy.

The restaurant was built upon the burial site of Vera Smith, one of the vicious tropical cyclone’s many victims–creating the classic formula for a building haunted by a ghost. Smith was 65 years of age at the time of her death caused by the hit-and-run accident of a drunk driver. Witnesses say she then bled out into the street, where she laid unattended to for five days due to the tragic situation. The local authorities had to prioritize in the aftermath of the powerful hurricane. Smith was well-known within her community, and neighbors finally decided to give her neglected corpse a makeshift memorial grave, which stood on the property until Charcoal’s was constructed in 2012. Even though Smith’s body was cremated and scattered in Texas, the restaurant’s co-owner Craig Walker believes that her spiritual presence remains on his property in bayou country.

I think there’s a strong sense of the after-life in New Orleans. Many believe in voodoo and spirits here,” Walker told WGNO.

Walker blames Smith’s ghost activity for slow business and a series of other misfortunes bestowed upon the restaurant.

“Our brand new meat grinder went out the first week we opened,” explained Walker, adding that he has also had to endure broken water lines, vandalism, and battles with the regional municipality to keep its doors open.

Searching for a remedy, Walker enlisted the help of Simon Hardeveld, a famous local artist who owns an art gallery adjacent to the restaurant. He requested that Simon build a memorial peace fountain outside the building in Smith’s honor in a desperate attempt to rid the area of her “bad vibes,” believing that doing so will allow the cursed burger joint the chance at prosperity. Perhaps naming a signature sandwich after her wouldn’t hurt either.

“Take a look here if you want to know more in-depth details from the creators of the critically acclaimed ~Inside 9/11~
Inside Hurricane Katrina go’s beyond the round-the-clock news coverage and gives a comprehensive look behind the devastation caused by Katrina. Includes analysis of events, hours of government audio tapes, and personal interviews. National Geographic takes viewers into the eye of Katrina to uncover the decisions and circumstances that determined the fate of the Gulf residents.” ~sls