New Iberia Makes CNN's America's Best Small Town Comeback List

Historic Downtown New Iberia is receiving national publicity after being named one of CNN's America's Best Small Town Comebacks.

The hustle and bustle of Downtown New Iberia is welcomed. In the early 80s, it was a different scene. The area lost many businesses after the oil bust.

Books Along the Teche has been open on Main Street for nearly 24 years. Howard Kingston remembers how difficult it was when he and his wife first opened their store.

"In this block, we were two doors down and that building was empty for a number of years and this building was empty for a number of years," said Kingston.

As early as 1993, many buildings along Main Street remained boarded up and vacant.

"There was a total of at least twelve businesses right in the central downtown area boarded. Those that were vacant were neglected and in dire need of maintenance," said Jane Braud, New Iberia's Main Street Program Director.