Carroll Gelderman

Class of 2011

Entrepreneur, Co-Owner The Garden District Book Shop and The Chicory House

Valedictorian of her senior class at McGehee, Carroll matriculated to Columbia University with an interest in film, dipping her toe in the water with internships at A24 and Scott Rudin Productions. After graduating from Columbia University in 2015 with a degree in Film Studies, Carroll worked in independent film sales for Cinetic Media in New York City until New Orleans called her back home. In 2019, Carroll was set to work in the locations department for a local film production until the pandemic arrived on her doorstep, wrapping up that job in a rapid fire two weeks’ time. She took a break from the world of film and became a barista at her favorite Garden District coffee shop, Still Perkin’, located in The Rink. A late night gathering with her COVID pod led to a plan to purchase Still Perkin’ and the neighboring Garden District Book Shop with family friend, Barkley Rafferty. A year or so later, they’ve re-branded Still Perkin’ and opened The Chicory House within The Rink and have plans to build a cocktail bar in the bookshop. McGehee partnered with the bookshop for a phenomenal Book Week in December 2021 and 2022 with plans to continue this new tradition.

 

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Carroll Gelderman

“During my 14 years at McGehee I developed a real sense of duty and a strong work ethic.  Our teachers always made me feel like my work really mattered and even if it didn’t directly apply to the real world, the process would teach me something I could use later on. I came to deeply value community and teamwork at McGehee—no woman left behind, ever. McGehee students and faculty are so supportive of one another and this holds true even after you’ve graduated. I’ll never forget all of the support I’ve received from McGehee these early years of running a business (or two!).”