Hové®, known all over the world for its fine fragrances, was begun in 1931 by Mrs. Alvin Hovey-King. The daughter of a Calvary officer, and wife of a Navy Commander, she spent much of her life traveling around the world and expanding her love of making her own perfume, a craft learned from her Creole French mother.
This hobby grew into a serious pastime, and so after the market crash of 1929, which ruined the retired Commander's investment business, Mrs. Hovey-King opened Hové® at 529 Royal Street in what had been the grand house of the popular Spanish Govenor Estevan Miro. The family lived in the beautiful apartment above the shop.
In 1938, the business moved to 723 Toulouse Street where it remained for the next 44 years. Commander King died in 1938, and Mrs. Hovey-King lived in the gracious quarters on the second floor until her death in 1961. Her daughter, Mrs. Jules A. de Fazende Yokum continued to run and expand the business, taking in her daughter, Mrs. Julie Yokum van Calsem IV, in 1970, as her partner and Hové®'s third generation. By 1982, Hové® had outgrown the small quarters, so Mrs. Julie Yokum-van Calsem decided to move the business to the Dejan House—where she had grown up. The Dejan House, at 824 Royal Street, is still the home of Hové®.
In 1987, Mr. van Calsem joined the firm and after his wife's death in 1989, he became the first man to carry on the tradition of Hové®.
Mr. Willem F. van Calsem and his
current wife, Barbara Ann
Downs carried on the Hové® tradition until March 31, 2003. 
Upon their retirement, their niece, Amy van Calsem Wendel, who had been involved with Hové® a few years past, was eager to continue the perfume tradition along with her husband Bill Wendel.
TopPhone: 504.525.7827
Fax number: 504-525-7994
Hours of Operation: Mon - Sat. 10 AM - 5PM c.s.t.
Closed: Mardi Gras Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day