Marketing Keys

Can you guess how Archie Casbarian used skeleton keys in a brilliant marketing campaign in 1978?

In the weeks following Casbarian’s acquisition of Arnaud’s and the start of restoration, locals were fascinated by the changes occurring in a favorite establishment. Knowing that months of work were ahead but also wanting to accommodate the curiosity of his friends and patrons, Casbarian came up with an ingenious idea. The Richelieu Bar was just about the only structure not requiring massive work and it had a street entrance. He had fancy skeleton keys produced and numbered, then mailed them out along with an invitation to come take a look and rehired the restaurant’s former long time bartender. From then on the Richelieu was packed daily with New Orleanians who supervised the construction process from their perches at the bar.