DENHAM SPRINGS – In Livingston Parish, the Antique District of Denham Springs hopes that it can use the shopping season as a way to bounce back from the August flood.

The Antique District is known for its variety of antique shops and unique items imported from around the world. The merchants want folks to know that they are open for holiday shopping.

"We're trying to portray an image that would give the community, our customers, to come on back and do their shopping here for Christmas," Elvin Watts, merchant, said.

For this Christmas season, the district is recovering after nearly being destroyed in the flood. The district sustained more than seven feet of water, but city officials are determined not to let the damage from the flood stop the district from coming back.

"Our biggest concern was, that we were in recovery mode and we were not going to have anybody shopping. Now we are in go mode. We're ready," Donna Jennings, Main Street director, said.

The city kicked off its month-long celebration, "Christmas in the Village," designed to attract shoppers and visitors to the area during the holiday season.

Even though some shops in the district are still vacant, merchants are no longer concerned since there are already buyers and renters ready to move in.

"We've got people that are coming in as we speak. They are cleaning them out, they are gutting them and they are going to be ready to go," Jennings said.