In 1812, tragedy struck when the building was destroyed by a hurricane and the city of New Orleans built a Bazaar Market there for fruits and vegetable stands. The building was designed by Joseph Abeilart, an African American architect, and Cafe du Monde opened 50 years later.

The world famous beignet and coffee shop Cafe du Monde was forced to abruptly close Friday afternoon (Dec. 13), along with other French Market building retailers, because of what its owner described as a sagging interior roof.

New Orleans' world-famous beignet and coffee shop Cafe du Monde abruptly closed Friday afternoon (Dec. 13) over city inspectors' concern for a sagging attic roof in the French Mar

Part of the historic French Market building, including Café du Monde, was evacuated and shops were forced to close Friday after a damaged roof joist was discovered. Authorities cleared out the upriver end of the building Friday afternoon and restricted access in the area along Decatur Street adjacent to Jackson Square in the French Quarter.