Mary Staes

Mary Staes is Digital Content Lead for Very Local. She works with our freelancers and crafts content for our social media platforms and website. Before Very Local, she worked with CBS affiliate WWL-TV as a web producer and weekend assignment editor for about 4 years. She has also handled broadcast coverage for 160 Marine Reserve training facilities while she served as an active duty Marine. As a native New Orleanian, she takes being "very local" to heart. She loves being intertwined with the culture and figuring out how there are less than two degrees of separation between us all, whether we're natives or not.

We ordered 82 inches of Popeyes chicken for draft day; here’s what happened

By Mary Staes / June 20, 2019

The Wingspan Box is only available on draft day, because, you-know-who is coming to play for the Pelicans. And what New Orleans celebration doesn’t have Popeyes Chicken? None that I can think of wanting to attend.

Weekend Picks: Final farewell to Dr. John, Caribbean Fest and more

By Mary Staes / June 19, 2019

This weekend, as the city says goodbye to Dr. John, we still find time to celebrate our Caribbean, Cajun and Zydeco cultures.

NBA draft themed ‘Wingspan Box’ includes 82 inches of Popeyes wings (and 11 biscuits) 😱

By Mary Staes / June 19, 2019

Popeyes announced Wednesday it’ll be selling the Wingspan Box on draft day, and it measures in at a whopping 6 feet and 10 inches of chicken. 

Community steps in to help those affected by Sucré’s abrupt closing

By Mary Staes / June 18, 2019

After the not-so-sweet news of Sucre’ confectionary’s closure Monday morning, local business owners started rallying around those who lost their jobs or dessert orders.

Bywater Bakery steps up to honor Sucre’ wedding cake orders after closure

By Mary Staes / June 17, 2019

“To all the engaged couples effected by this abrupt shutdown, Bywater Bakery has your back.”

Quartz brings an international twist to the 24-hour bar scene

By Mary Staes / June 17, 2019

Here, you’ll find a mix of locals and international travelers, and the concoction is magical.

Sucré to close its doors after 13 years

By Mary Staes / June 17, 2019

An announcement made Monday morning by Sucre’s Board of Managers read that the confectionery would be closing after 13 years of business.

🌈Accentuate the positive☀

By Mary Staes / June 13, 2019

Get ready to accentuate the positive, people.

Weekend Picks: Father’s Day is here!

By Mary Staes / June 13, 2019

If dad isn’t big on gifts (or maybe you just forgot to grab one), no worries. There’s lots to do in town to celebrate fathers across the city.

‘New Orleans gives life:’ Backatown Coffee is a modern boost in a historical, but changing, neighborhood

By Mary Staes / June 11, 2019

This isn’t your average coffee shop in any sense of the word. The high ceilings, light fixtures, furniture and every inch of the community space has been thought out.