Olsen Ventures celebrates the history and value of the past. We own Vice & Graft and co-founded Swamp Rags, both in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

When most people build businesses, they look to the future. We’ve always looked to the past. To our history, to what came before us. Our companies focus on preserving memories and creating new life from nostalgia.

Vice & Graft

927 Royal Street

It’s been said that New Orleans is a city that was built on vice and graft. We’ve used that idea as the foundation of our store located on Royal Street in the heart of the French Quarter. We curate items from - and pay homage to - New Orleans Storyville District of the 1900’s, the great burlesque clubs and bars of the 1950’s, the long history of Naval bases in NOLA, and the hard working merchants who worked across the city.

 

Swamp Rags

533 St Louis Street

Swamp Rags curates 80’s and 90’s vintage clothing and pop-culture memorabilia. From graphic t-shirts, jackets and denim to collectables from the movies, cartoons, video games and music we grew up on. Born during the pandemic, Swamp Rags grew out of a passion for vintage, and was seeded with a lucky find of over 3000 vintage t-shirts. (Read more about that find on our blog.) Over 1600 sq ft of vintage can be found on St. Louis St, between famed Napoleon House & Emeril’s NOLA.

 

Megan Olsen Art Gallery

927 Royal Street

Inspired by the historic homes and people of New Orleans, Megan Olsen creates scenes & tells stories with paper. From the early Madam’s of Storyville to the creole cottages and shotgun houses that were built in the early days of the city, Megan’s work honors and celebrates the history of New Orleans.

 

Previous Ventures

Co-op Partner, Merchant House - In May 2022, Merchant House became home to Vice & Graft, and helped to shape the business through the pandemic. During this time Merchant House received critical praise, including as the top pick for Louisiana in Domino Magazine’s 50 Best Vintage Furniture Shops in America.

Co-Founder, Voltage Video Games - Back in 2012 we helped raise funding, build a team, and source product for a vintage video game store in Syracuse, NY. It became profitable within the first month, and later expanded to two locations. We exited in 2014.

We’re always looking for new businesses to create, old things to buy, and different people to talk with.