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St. Bernard Milestones

All in the Family:

Chalmette Bicycle & Lawn Mowers Marks 55 Years

By Charles D. Jackson

hey were born into the family business of bicycles “I used to come here with my grandpa when I was 6,”
and lawn mowers. Their parents, William and said Richard Wingate, 47, a FedEx driver delivering parts
Annie Ybarzabal, owned and operated Triangle to the store. “I bought my first Toro lawn mower here.
TBicycle and Lawn Mowers on St. Bernard Ave- The store still looks the same.”
nue in New Orleans for 25 years. Although times have
The family moved the business to St. Bernard Parish in changed, some things
April 1963, opening Chalmette Bicycle and Lawn Mow- never change–four siblings
ers. For 55 years, four siblings: Catherine Serpas, Patricia who are determined to
Cassagne, Melanie Koons and William Ybarzabal, Jr. keep their parents’ legacy
have maintained the family’s legacy. All total, the family has running like a well-oiled
been in the bike and mower business for 80 years. machine.
What makes Chalmette Bicycle and Lawn Mowers Chalmette Bicycle and
stand out is personalized sales, service and production ex- Lawn Mowers, 111 E Saint
pertise. “A customer can bring in a part from any mower Bernard Hwy., Chalmette LA
and we can tell what brand and model it came from,” said 70043 , (504) 271-8260
Year Established: 1963
Ms. Cat, 75. Services: Lawn Mowers
The business originally was a Schwinn bicycle dealer, and Bicycles sales and
and has been a Toro Lawn Mower dealer for more than 55 service; Toro, ExMark Lawn
years. Mowers and Echo Trimmers/
Ms. Pat, 71, moved to Picayune, Miss., after Katrina, Blowers. Sales and service;
but “comes home to work” everyday. general repairs on all mowers
Customers–from the Parish, New Orleans East and and lawn equipment
the 9th Ward–have grown up shopping at the Chal-
mette landmark.

The House that Larry Built

Chalmette Designer Celebrates 50 Years

By Charles D. Jackson

s a young residential designer, Larry Trumbaturi Larry Trumbaturi Design Center, 8307 Lafitte Court,
had no current plans to build his own business. He Chalmette, LA 70043, (504) 279-3508
was happy designing for a Chalmette architect until Year Established: 1967.
AHurricane Betsy hit in 1965, wiping out his boss’ Services: Custom or Standard Residential Designs, Additions,
company. Drawings, 3D Renderings, Sketches and Commercial Projects.
“I tried carrying some of his work because it took him a
while to get back on his feet,” Larry said. He then decided to
open his own business.
With a growing list of clients, the 26-year-old launched
The Design Center in 1967. Since then, Larry has designed
custom and standard plans for more than 7,000 homes
and commercial properties in the Metro New Orleans, St.
Bernard, Plaquemines and St. Tammany areas.
He’s celebrating 50 years of service, and has grown his
staff to include his son, Larry, and four talented designers.
Like his former boss, Larry hires local.
But he will share the secret to his success: “I believe in
giving people a good set of plans at a fair price, in as short of
time as possible.” Larry Trumbaturi and his designers