The Grand Victorian has been spotted many times within the last month by local news. From preparing for the Mardi Gras festivities to recent increases in property taxes, owner and operator of the Bed and Breakfast, Bonnie Rabe, has made an impact in the New Orleans community.
Bonnie Rabe was praised by FOX8 for her compliance with the new property tax in the city. The hotel industry in New Orleans caters to hundreds of thousands of residents annually, especially during the Mardi Gras season. Unfortunately, of the 150 B&B’s in the city, 16% didn’t pay for their taxes this year. The funds from the taxes fuel city services including New Orleans Parish School Board, tourism marketing, the Superdome, and public transportation. Lawmakers are working hard to make the tax collection for hotel owners, like Bonnie, fair by finding new ways to collect the taxes.
The Grand Victorian was then featured on WDSU for its Mardi Gras preparation. Bonnie Rabe is featured preparing the house on St. Charles Avenue with extra fencing, porta potty, and festive banners. Even though preparation seems like a hassle, Bonnie loves the “electricity” of the Mardi Gras season. Guests and friends enjoy the convenience of the location to watch all of the Uptown parades and easy access to Uptown and Downtown festivities.
WWLTV sought Bonnie Rabe to hear her opinion on the illegal rentals in the city of New Orleans. With the influx of visitors in New Orleans for Mardi Gras, many people illegally rented facilities to out-of-towners. Sadly, this hurts small B&B’s like the Grand Victorian. The problem does not seem to be over as Jazz Music and Heritage Festival emerges.
