STORY OF THE TWO SISTERS
Emma & Bertha: The Women Behind the Name
Emma and Bertha Camors were Creole sisters born in 1858 and 1860 into an established New Orleans family. In the late nineteenth century they operated a refined notions shop at 613 Royal Street known as the Shop of the Two Sisters. Their business served the city’s fashionable clientele and contributed to the commercial life of the French Quarter.
The shop offered garments, lace, Mardi Gras costumes, and imported perfumes from Paris. It functioned not only as a place of commerce but also as a social setting where conversation and hospitality were central. The sisters were known for their gracious manner and their connection to the cultural traditions of the Quarter.
Historical accounts suggest that favored customers were occasionally welcomed into the courtyard for tea and light refreshments. This use of the courtyard as a place of gathering reflected a broader tradition of private hospitality within New Orleans homes. The atmosphere they created helped establish the sense of refinement still associated with the property.
By the early twentieth century, economic changes and shifting demographics made it difficult to sustain the business. After the death of Bertha’s husband in 1904, ownership of the property passed within the family and the shop eventually closed. The site later transitioned through various uses before becoming a restaurant.
Emma and Bertha died within two months of one another in 1944. They were buried side by side in St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 on Esplanade Avenue. In 1990 the Fein family restored their tomb, recognizing the historical significance of the women whose name remains attached to the property.
Local tradition holds that the sisters never fully departed from the place that defined their lives. Accounts preserved through oral history describe unexplained sounds, subtle movement within the courtyard, and the recurring impression of a presence near the former shop space. These reports, while unverified, have persisted across generations and have become closely associated with the identity of the property.
Some narratives suggest that the bond between Emma and Bertha, as well as their deep attachment to their home and business, contributes to these enduring stories. Visitors and staff have occasionally noted sensations or occurrences that they attribute to the sisters, particularly in areas connected to the original shop and courtyard. Such accounts reflect a broader tradition in New Orleans, where personal histories and physical spaces are often intertwined in memory and folklore.
The sisters were laid to rest side by side at St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 on Esplanade Avenue, further strengthening the connection between their lives and the cultural landscape of the city. In 1990, the Fein family undertook the restoration of their tomb as an act of respect and historical recognition. This effort acknowledged the lasting significance of Emma and Bertha Camors and ensured that their legacy remains honored both at their burial site and at the Court of Two Sisters, where their story continues to be remembered.
