Olde Towne Slidell is coming to a theater near you.

Eric Lamulle’s store Esoteric on First Street was transformed into a 1950s Chicago radio station recently for the filming of scenes from “Chess,” an upcoming Hollywood movie.

The movie tells the life story of legendary record producer Leonard Chess, whose label, Chess Records, was a major factor in reviving blues music in the 1950s and ‘60s. Starring Alessandro Nivola in the lead role, the movie is just one of several productions to film in St. Tammany Parish over the last year.

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“Chess” began shooting in New Orleans on April 7 and is expected to wrap up May 16. Set publicist Arian Reed said the crew would be working in the Slidell area for about a week.

“On a six-week shoot, that’s a major chunk of time,” said Reed. “We’ve been very pleased with the support we’ve gotten here.”

Out of nearly two dozen films to be shot in Louisiana so far this year, two others are expected to begin in the next few weeks. “I Love You, Phillip Morris,” starring Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor, will shoot scenes in Covington and Mandeville, while “Cirque du Freak,” with Salma Hayek and John C. Reilly, will film near Folsom.

Louisiana was one of the first states in the country to incorporate a film incentive program, passing legislation in 2002 offering tax credits and other financial incentives.

Significantly revised in 2005, the program now offers a 25 percent credit based on a company’s expenditure in local goods and services. In addition, production companies that employ Louisiana residents will receive another 10 percent payroll credit.

Since the program began, New Orleans has gotten the bulk of publicity as the new “Hollywood South.” The Northshore, however, is getting its share of time in the spotlight, and local business owners are reaping the benefits.

Dave Favela, co-owner of Patina Interiors in Covington, a furniture consignment store, said an increasing number of prop masters and set dressers have called on him.

“They’ve purchased a ton of furniture to decorate their sets,” said Favela. “April was my best month ever.”

According to the state Office of Entertainment Industry Development, of the approximately 50 films, television shows and commercials produced in Louisiana last year, an average 87 percent of the total production budget was also spent here. That kind of spending has helped cultivate the industry infrastructure, making it a “film-friendly climate.”

Actor Rus Blackwell, who has a small role as a sheriff in “Chess,” has worked on three movies in Louisiana in the last year. The Florida native spent several years in Los Angeles before returning home in the early 1990s, when it seemed the film business in Orlando was poised to take off.

“The program just sort of fizzled, and the Florida politicians never did anything to help it get off the ground,” said Blackwell. “Louisiana has really led the way in attracting the industry.”

Blackwell added Louisiana’s efforts have made it easier for regional actors to stay in their home base and still get work.

He also cited the state’s geographic diversity, noting that the northern part of the state could stand in for any part of the Midwest, while the southern end could be anywhere in the South, from Texas to Florida.

While larger cities like New Orleans, Baton Rouge or Shreveport often serve as a production hub, smaller areas like St. Tammany are quickly learning how they can work with the industry. The parish has its own film commission, led by Loren Legendre, and serves as an invaluable resource to the Office of Entertainment Industry Development.

“Local areas have been extremely successful at helping to grow the industry, with businesses and services that cater to the film industry,” said Amber Havens, an OEID spokesperson. “The state couldn’t possibly handle the amount of production we have here without offices like Loren’s.”