Established in 1970 What began with a protest by Tulane students opposed to RLTC training on campus, Mushroom New Orleans was established by the Tulane Liberation Front (TLF) following a six-day demonstration and negotiations with university faculty. Formerly a co-op in the '70's, formed so that students could swap records and books, it was eventually turned into a record store -- and later, the biggest head shop and smoke shop in New Orleans. Nearly half a century later, the head shop still boasts, "It's worth the trip."