During the Second Saturday Artwalk each month in Old Town Bay St. Louis, you'll find cool deals, fresh meals and lots of art and live music.  It's the way we throw a family-friendly party here in the Bay and you're invited! 

Make sure you visit Hot Spot businesses Heart of Old Town Vacation Rental, 109 N. Second Street and Sonny's Cypress Café, 300 S. Second Street!
- story by Denise Jacobs, photos by Ellis Anderson

Heart of Old Town Vacation Rental 
109 N. Second Street
Bay St Louis
228.493.6316

Be sure to stop by for a tour of The Heart of Old Town Vacation Rental on Second Saturday, October 14, between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Rest a spell on the new balcony and BBQ area, and enjoy the band, songs, and jokes courtesy of Sylvia and Ed. Food and drinks will be provided courtesy of the Ulman Tea Room and Garden. 
​

The Heart of Old Town Vacation Rental, a spacious 1300-square-foot cottage, nestles against the side of Antique Maison  at 109 N. Second Street.
​
Ed and Sylvia Young bought the building as a fixer-upper in 1990 and moved it to its current location. Living in New Orleans at the time, the Youngs embarked on a journey that will resonate with many full-time Bay residents.

After purchasing the home and making weekend trips from New Orleans for two years, the couple moved permanently to Bay St Louis in 1992. The building was fully renovated in 1995 and opened for business.  The vacation rental has been offered since 2009. 
​
Sylvia, the property manager, makes sure that guests enjoy all the comforts of home in her two-bedroom, two-bath, seaside-themed vacation rental. Guests will find a washer and dryer, a full kitchen, and even a crib.

Aptly named, the vacation rental is truly in the heart of Old Town, and guests will find it easy to navigate on foot to the harbor, the beach, and the local shops.

More information about the vacation rental can be found on VRBO.com/25621.

Sonny's Cypress Café
300 S. Second Street
Bay St Louis
228.466.4877

​On Second Saturday, October 14, Sonny’s Cypress Café will provide a band on the patio from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Second Saturday crowd will enjoy appetizers from the main menu. Think hummus, stuffed grape leaves, spanakopita, and caprese. Think delicious! 

Sonny’s Cypress Café is a dream come true. Literally.

When it was simply the Cypress Café, Sonny Wright stopped by every time he visited family in the Bay. Sonny's dream was to one day own the café and revamp it with a strong Mediterranean influence. When opportunity presented itself, Sonny and his wife Denise snapped up the restaurant, located in the historic city hall building.

Recent updates include spacious seating space for more than 70, white-brick walls reminiscent of Greece, black woodwork, and cloth-covered tables. The café lends itself to an Italian and Greek vibe—fitting, as Sonny’s heritage is both. 

Expect a wide variety of mouth-watering choices for every meal. A favorite breakfast entrée is Eggs Shakshuka—eggs cooked in a spicy tomato sauce with sausage, onions, and peppers.

For lunch and dinner, offerings include traditional Mediterranean fare, along with pasta dishes that rotate daily—Pasta Alla Norma, fried eggplant tossed in tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese; Pasta Carbonara, linguine with Bianco cheese sauce, bacon, caramelized onions, and peppers; and Pasta Spinach, sautéed spinach and onions with freshly grated cheese. Gary Veglia, local restauranteur, one of the cafe's first patrons, recommends the moussaka.

Guests can always find vegan and vegetarian dishes and gluten-free pasta. Classic burgers and paninis are also available. Leave room for bread pudding, baklava, or cheesecake.

And don’t forget the wine! Natasha Actuaymi, manager, encourages patrons to bring their own beer and wine for a cork fee of $5.00.

Hours are Monday through Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. On Sundays, a special brunch menu is featured from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Parking is plentiful in front of the building and along the side of the building toward the old City Park.

During the Second Saturday Artwalk each month in Old Town Bay St. Louis, you'll find cool deals, fresh meals and lots of art and live music.  It's the way we throw a family-friendly party here in the Bay and you're invited! 
​
Make sure you visit our Hot Spot businesses, Bay Elements, 112 South Second Street (inside Century Hall) and Lulu's on Main/Maggie May's, 126 Main Street.  

Bay Elements
inside Century Hall
112 S. Second Street
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
504.810.7772

Inside the 100-year-old historic building, find an electrifying fusion of unique artifacts, repurposed findings, antiques, art, furniture, gifts and much more at Bay Elements.   The genius behind this amazing concept is Susan Peterson.  

​You can shop up and downstairs for furniture and accessories for the home, and seaside findings for young and old.  There is truly something for everybody, from small gifts to magnificently handcrafted furniture. Make sure to take notice of the impeccable craftsmanship of the building that summons the past-life.  

Peterson was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, but married a coastal boy and hasn’t looked back since.  She has been on the Coast for 35 years.  “My heart is here,”says Peterson “I love the people and friendly guests, and there is nothing better than being in Old Town Bay St. Louis.”

At 126 Main Street, Maggie May’s is located in another historic building, one that has been an Old Town art anchor for ore than two decades.  The building contains 5,300 square feet of art, jewelry, clothing, and home décor items.  The beautiful large gallery space is filled with five vendors throughout and showcases over thirty local and regional artists.  

The business features everything from beautiful paintings, sculpture, jewelry, hand-made crafts, unique clothing, shoes, home accessories and so much more.   Nested within is also a popular restaurant named Lulu’s, an amazing eatery.  

At Lulu’s they are cooking up innovative New Orleans influenced cuisine.  Crowd favorites are Moynan’s corn and crab bisque, her BBQ shrimp or “debris” roast beef po-boys, and Betty’s bread pudding, reputed to be the best on the coast.   People are drawn by the restaurant’s unique art gallery atmosphere, as well as the tasty breakfast and lunch.
 
“We’ve got an incredible group of businesses here, in a building that is showing great art,” says Moynan.  “You can feel the positive energy as soon as you walk in.  It’s the ultimate place to ‘shop local."

Stop by Tuesday thru Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. to check out of Lulu’s tasty cuisine.

Moynan, invites new customers and long-time fans in to, “Come and feel the love and passion that I have for food,” she says. “You’ll go home tasting the flavors of the Bay."

Celebrate the summer's end at the August Second Saturday, August 12th.  You'll find cool deals, fresh meals and lots of art and live music.  It's the way we throw a family-friendly party here in the Bay and you're invited! 

Make sure to visit Hot Spot businesses Antique Maison Ulman (317 Ulman Ave.) and The Shoe Boutique (inside Maggie May’s Art and Gift Gallery, 126 Main Street).

-  by Tracy Shields

Click here and scroll down to read archived Second Saturday columns  

​Antique Maison Ulman
317 Ulman Ave.
Bay St Louis
228-344-3128

Sylvia and Ed Young opened this branch of Antique Maison on historic Ulman Avenue, only a minute away from their Second Street location, in 2014. Not to be outdone, this Ulman store focuses on home, garden, patio décor, and shabby chic furnishings for your whole house. Visit booths from various dealers, and enjoy an open floor plan with three large showrooms and a Quonset hut with lots of wandering room and treasures to be found. Right now you will even find a large furniture sale. 

Discover a hidden treasure in the very back—Bay St Louis’s own English tearoom. Its vintage china and floral tablecloths set the scene for tea, made-from-scratch scones, and a decadent variety of desserts Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 

Choose from large dining room, deck/garden dining area, and a private dining area to host parties, bridal showers and all the special occasions that happen in your life. Antique Maison Ulman Tearoom offers 13 hot and cold teas, soft drinks, and iced or hot coffee. They also offer High Tea Windsor by appointments. 
​
Stop by this second Saturday for the dedication of the historical tree in their garden. “Heavenly Tea Garden” will be dedicated by a St. Augustine Seminary priest at 5 p.m. on August 12.    

The Shoe Boutique
inside Maggie May’s Art and Gift Gallery
126 Main Street            
Bay St Louis
228-467-7750

Someone said, “Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.” The Shoe Boutique may not be the largest shop in Old Town, but it just may be the best place to find the perfect ladies’ shoes in Bay St. Louis. This shop is slipped away in the sunny front window at Maggie May’s Art and Gift Gallery at 126 Main. 

Owners Bill and Joyce Whitfield have been retailers on the Gulf Coast since 1984, when they bought a store in Gulfport. They have been selling shoes here in Bay St. Louis for over 15 years. At its current Old Town Bay St. Louis location since February 2015, the store displays a large variety of styles and sizes of women’s shoes. Brands include Lucky Brand, Aerosoles, Volatile, Yellow Box, and Van Eli.

The Shoe Boutique offers the individual and attentive service that shoppers love. Joyce stocks each shoe with style, comfort and affordability in mind. One can never take too much care with what they put on their feet, and at the Shoe Boutique, the shoes are selected to be as comfortable as they are stunning. Cinderella is proof that a good pair of shoes can change your life. 

Old Town celebrates the birth of one of North America's greatest artists, Frida Kahlo, with an extravaganza of color, music, dance and art during this month's Second Saturday Artwalk!

​July's Hot Spots:  Identity Vintage and Vinyl, 131 Main Street, and Gallery 220, 220 Main Street.  
- by Traci Shields 

Over the past twenty years, the monthly artwalk has become one of the most popular events in the region.  Old Town stays lively all day, with many merchants and restaurants offering specials. The pace picks up from 4pm – 8pm, when gallery openings and live music keep the streets humming with activity. ​

http://passmainstreet.com/businesses/All Afternoon :
 ~ Flower Crowns available at French Potager, 213 Main Street
 ~ Special menus at:

• Starfish Cafe, 211 Main Street

• Mockingbird Cafe, 110 S. Second Street

• Sycamore House, 210 Main Street
• Sonny's Cypress Cafe - 300 S. Second Street.
• Trapani's Eatery - 116 North Beach
• 200 North Beach - 200 N. Beach Blvd. 

 ~ Frida Punch at California Drawstrings, 216 Main Street, and special 25% discount on merchandise for all in costume.
 ~ Frida-themed door prize  at Hot Spot Identity Vintage, 131 Main Street (no purchase necessary to enter!), drawing at 7:30.  Taquitos and Punch served at Identity Vintage beginning at 5 til....
 ~ Roaming Luchadores available for photo ops
 ~ Community Mural at Social Chair, 201 Main Street
 ~ Frida inspired art and gifts all over town
 ~ Mexican Folkloric Dance from New Orleans Hispano America Dance Group (spontaneous start time)

Scheduled Events:
 
4:00pm - 2nd Saturday begins - listen for the sounds of the Bay's own Bay Ratz Marching Battery with the amazing Skinz & Bonez from New Orleans

4:30pm - registration opens for Frida Be You & Me Look Alike contest at Smith & Lens Gallery

4:30pm - Imagination Station at French Potager, 213 Main Street: make Papel Picado (Mexican cut out flags)

5:00pm - Loteria (Mexican Bingo) opens on courtyard next to Smith & Lens Gallery, 106 S. Second Street

5:00pm - Frida Food at Hot Spot Gallery 220, 220 Main Street

5:30pm - strolling mariachi begins at Hot Spot Identity Vintage, 131 Main Street, and will wander through old town

5:30pm - Pearl's Girls will begin their Salsa Dance demo at Shops at 126 Main Street.

5:30pm - super-cool airbrushed tattoos available from Paul's Tattoo Parlor at Bay-Tique, 125 Main Street

6:30pm - Blue Magnolia performs at The Mockingbird Cafe, 110 S. Second Street.

7:30pm - Frida Be You and Me Look Alike contest begins at Smith & Lens Gallery, ​106 S. Second Street

 Identity Vintage carries pristine, highly collectible vinyl albums, vintage décor, owner Suzi Walters’s own jewelry line, Avec Amour, and much more. When you walk through the door you take a step back in time and escape the stresses of the world. This store is a place where you hear the music playing, and you walk around reminiscing and feeling like a part of a retro world that so many of us miss.
 
Owner Suzi Walters has nearly 1000 albums for sale at Identity Vintage & Vinyl. If you are looking for a certain piece that isn’t in stock, she is happy to order it. Requests are generally in the shop within a week.
 
Walters adds new vinyl to her shop every Saturday morning. Each record is in remarkable condition, and all are professionally cleaned, re-sleeved and play tested. If you miss the joy of buying a record and taking it home to spin it on your turntable while absorbing every image on the cover, Identity Vintage & Vinyl is your store. 

Walters also showcases her jewelry line, Avec Amour. Each piece is individually designed and crafted using charms, crystals and religious medals. No two pieces will ever be completely alike, as they are each made with found treasures.
 
Walter enjoys making custom pieces for clients with either their own found items, or with trinkets from her collection. “I hope that my jewelry brings hope, peace and harmony to the new owners.” 
 
Walter is proud that everything found in Identity Vintage & Vinyl is "green," or comes from a fair trade business. “The items you find in my store speak to people, and when they speak to people they speak loudly."
 
“I am proud to be a small business in Bay St. Louis,” says Walters. “I cannot imagine being in a better place."

Identity Vintage & Vinyl is open Wednesday through Friday, 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Saturday 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday 12:15-4:30 p.m.

Gallery 220 is one of the most energetic artist co-ops on the Gulf Coast.  This epicenter of creative energy is owned by Jenise McCardell and husband Mark Currier, who are artists themselves.  
 
Gallery 220 is located just a few blocks from the beach in one of the few examples of Art Deco architecture in Old Town Bay St. Louis. But while it is filled with amazing artwork by award-winning artists from the local area, Gallery 220 will not give you a stereotypical art gallery experience when you walk through the doors.
 
Twenty-three local artists belong to this cooperative gallery and split up the work schedule. These are artists who feel passionate about their work, and who share their knowledge and enthusiasm while staffing the gallery.
 
The gallery features paintings, drawings, sculptures, jewelry, t-shirts, pottery, photography and more. Some artists even bring their works-in-progress with them so that between helping customers they can draw, paint, or sketch.
 
Everyone feels welcomed and at ease at Gallery 220. It is the type of place where art and real life meet, and where customers stay long after their purchases to relish in the energy and good vibes.
 
This Second Saturday Gallery 220 will be serving “Frida” food, so stop by this town anchor and have a snack while you shop or talk to artists about their work.
 
Gallery 220 is open seven days a week, Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday Noon-5pm.

July's Featured Artists 

​Amy Kramer
 
Amy Kramer is a self-taught Bay artist known for her colorful and energetic underwater and floral abstracts presenting her love for water and the garden.
 
Since receiving her Bachelor’s degree from LSU, Kramer has taken numerous formal and informal lessons using a multitude of mediums, but is always drawn back to her acrylic blues and greens on large canvases.
 
You will find Amy working at Gallery 220 on Sunday. “I enjoy working at Gallery 220 and having the remarkable opportunity of conversing with magnificent people from all over the world,” she says.
 
“A few of my favorite things about living and working in Bay St. Louis are the gulf, oak trees, my friends, and of course, the wonderful people I've met.”

Nancy Lowentritt 
 
“I am a proud weekender of Bay St. Louis,” said Nancy Lowentritt. She has been part of the art scene here in Old Town Bay St Louis for the past eight years.
 
Lowentritt paints exclusively in acrylics, painting seascapes, crabs, boats, birds, houses, restaurants, and other sights of everyday life. She is always hoping to capture the culture of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. A unique aspect of Lowentritt’s work is that she usually primes her canvases in red before starting a painting.
 
A lot of Lowentritt’s paintings are small, affordable pieces that locals and visitors alike can easily take home, although she paints large canvases as well.
 
“At Gallery 220, I have the opportunity to work on Sundays, meeting simply wonderful people from all over the world, some who come back year after year to add to their collections,” she says.  Lowentritt’s paintings and note cards can also be seen at Bay Life, her other favorite place to shop.

Step up to summer at the June Second Saturday, June 10th.  You'll find cool deals, fresh meals and lots of art and live music.  It's the way we throw a family-friendly party here in the Bay and you're invited! 

Make sure to visit Hot Spot businesses Bay Life Gifts and Gallery (111 Main Street) and Gulf View Properties (111 Court Street). Rory's Jazz Band will be performing at Bay Life 4pm - 7:30pm and  Bronwynn Brent will be performing at Gulf View Properties, 5pm - 8pm.  
- stories by Tracy Shields

111 Court Street
Bay St. Louis
228-304-0636

During the artwork, Rory's Jazz Band will be performing fro 4pm - 7:30pm, and light refreshments will be served.  

After being a part of corporate America for 28 years, Bay Life owner Janice Guido decided she wanted to be her own boss. Janice opened her doors in March of 2015 and has not looked back. 

“I enjoy being my own boss even if it does include sweeping the floors and unpacking heavy boxes,” Guido said. She loves being a part of Old Town Bay St. Louis, and it truly shows in her store. 

Bay Life is designed to inspire all who walk through its doors. Guido has her store set to exhibit the Southern coastal charm of our life in Bay St. Louis and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Its tag line,  "the shop for Bay coastal style," reflects Guido’s intention: “I want people to feel that they can find a little bit of everything for everyone when they enter my store. “ 

This shop features charming gifts for everyday life on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for yourself or for anyone you care about. If you are a visitor, Bay Life is designed to make you smile at the memories of a great getaway where you purchased the perfect gift for yourself or for someone you love. 

Bay Life is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30–5pm and Sunday noon to 4 during the months of June through August. Come walk around this delightful store, where you will find everything from birthday or wedding gifts, to happy surprises for people dear to you. 

Guido has plenty of home and table décor, and she especially loves selling local artists’ works and Mississippi-made products. 

Bay Life has a little bit of everything for everyone, and you are sure to find what you’re looking for at Bay Life. 
​

111 Court Street
Bay St. Louis
​228-344-3004

During Second Saturday, Bronwynn Brent will be performing from 5pm - 8pm at the Court Street office.  

Kevin Jordan, owner of Gulfview Properties, LLC, knows that opting to rent a house instead of staying at a hotel when traveling adds a more intimate dimension to a vacation. 

Aside from the seclusion, there's your own stocked refrigerator if you crave a midnight snack. It's also a great way to get in with the locals — suddenly you're the new neighbor.

When you factor in the per-day cost as well as room for family members or friends sharing the tab, a week or two at a spacious beach house or cottage can cost far less than a hotel.

Gulfview Properties offers furnished beach houses and cottage vacation rentals on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, primarily here in Bay St. Louis. Each of their Bay St. Louis rentals is a quiet retreat to help you feel right at home, as well as close to all the wonderful attractions that Bay St. Louis has to offer.

All you have to do is slide the key in the lock, and it is home sweet home for your stay. “Bay St. Louis is the perfect town to live in or visit for a stay,” said Jordan. 

Jordan’s family owed the very first vacation home on 121 Seymour Street. Today there are more than 400 vacation homes on the Gulf Coast. 

“I love doing historical restoration, and I never want to sell after I finish with the job. Plus this keeps me out of trouble, for the most part,” said Jordan.

If you are planning your dream vacation to Bay St. Louis, contact Kevin Jordan at Gulfview Properties, 228-344-3004, or go to gulfviewproperties.net.
​

Live Music:  
~ Christian Serpas and Ghost Town at the Mockingbird Café (110 S. Second Street), 6pm - 9pm.  
~ Dave Mayley Band, Daiquiri Shak (112 Court Street), 5pm - 9pm.  

​Jamie Temple is no stranger to the hospitality business. As a young man in New Jersey, he helped out with his grandparents’ diner, which looked like an old rail car.
 
Today, he owns one of Bay St. Louis’s most charming breakfast and lunch spots, the Buttercup Cafe.
 
“We serve uncomplicated comfort food,” Temple said. 
 
Eggs, omelets, scrambles, sandwiches, salads, quiches, soups, burgers, pancakes and more are available all day.
 
“You can order a burger at 7 a.m. and a crawfish omelet moments from closing time,” Temple said.
 
Rumor has it, the Rueben sandwich rivals some in New York delis. Other favorites include shrimp & grits, the flame-broiled yellow fin tuna salad, Cuban sandwiches and wraps. The Buttercup also specializes in freshly baked pastries from in-house recipes. 
 
There are no fryers at The Buttercup. Even the hash browned potatoes are baked, then grilled.
 
“The potatoes are so good, we name ’em,” Temple said.
 
If al fresco dining is your thing, the Buttercup’s porch and patio are the perfect (pet friendly!) place to perch for a morning or midday bite. Inside, the walls are covered in vibrant Southern folk art.
 
“I get a kick when New Orleans artists come over and see their stuff on the walls,” Temple said. 
 
The Buttercup Cafe is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Temple says he enjoys his “breakfast club” regulars, but also loves seeing the Bay through the eyes of all the new tourists. 
 
The Buttercup doesn’t take reservations, but Temple always says it’s a nice place to take your mother to breakfast. Whether it’s a sleepy Tuesday morning or a busy Mother’s Day Sunday, Temple and his staff are waiting to welcome you with a hot cup of coffee, a cool drink and food for every taste.
 
“We get so many wonderful visitors in the restaurant — Bay St. Louis is like Mayberry with a beach.” 

​For Second Saturday, the Daiquiri Shak will host the Dave Mayley Band from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
 
Rhonda and Gus Finnely’s weekend getaways to the Bay have become a second life.
 
Rhonda and her husband, along with their son Caleb, have opened the Daiquiri Shak in Old Town on Court Street.
 
Recently retired from banking, Rhonda is enjoying her new lease on life behind the counter at the Daiquiri Shak, mixing and naming new flavors for the folks of Bay St. Louis. 
 
The nautical and beachy theme of the Daiquiri Shak is carried through to names of new daiquiris like Beach Bum, Mermaid Juice, Blue Hawaiian and Cajun Cadillac. Of course, standard favorites like margarita, hurricane, strawberry, pina colada, 190 octane, white Russian and more are available. 
 
The offerings have grown each month. The Shak now has ten machines, up from their original six, and one still dedicated to virgin daiquiris. The family has come up with 40 different flavor combinations, but the possibilities are endless as they will mix any flavor combination requested. 
 
Daiquiri Shak also offers seasonal favorites, like their signature Mardi Gras Mambo and King Cake daiquiri for carnival season and egg nog for the holidays. `
 
“The Mardi Gras Mambo was so popular that we are still carrying it,” Rhonda said.
 
This summer look for new flavors like Peach Bellini, and for Cinco de Mayo expect some new margarita flavors and specials to hit the menu. 
 
Thanks to Bay St. Louis’s new go-cup friendly laws, the daiquiris have been a big hit in Old Town, popular for the special events, Second Saturdays and perfect for sipping on the beach. 
 
“A lot of our customers love taking our drinks to the beach,” Rhonda said.
 
The shop also offers seating and televisions for those who want to sit and cool off. 

The most popular artwalk of the year features a sale of handcrafted pottery bowls and free soup served at participating Old Town merchants - complete details in our story.  Also, celebrate our two Hot Spot businesses:  200 North Beach and The Arts, Hancock County.  
- story by Grace Birch, photos by Ellis Anderson 

The February Artwalk sparkles with Carnival glamour as the town celebrates two Hot Spot businesses:  Cuz's Seafood Restaurant (108 S. Beach Blvd) and The French Potager (213 Main Street)! 
- by Grace Birch, photos by Grace Birch and Martha Whitney Butler

​There are a few unmistakable smells in this world. Two of them are chargrilled oysters ard boiled crawfish.
 
Chances are a walk along Beach Boulevard in Bay St Louis, and a whiff of these will pull you in to Cuz’s Old Town Oyster Bar & Grill. 
 
Cuz and Christy Barnes, who have operated Cuz’s since 2004, have recently moved their beloved boiled seafood restaurant to the center of the action along the Bay’s Beach Boulevard into the bottom floor of the French Settlement building. 
 
The Barnes’ have also handed the keys over to their daughter Ramie, who is often at the front of the restaurant with a smile or hopping from table to table making sure customers are enjoying themselves.
 
“We love crawfish, we love fresh seafood and we have things to offer on the beach that no one else has,” Ramie Barnes said. “The food at Cuz’s is something different.”
 
Cuz’s has long been a mecca for locals, but now tourists are walking through the doors in droves. On a recent visit, an out-of-town couple was bellied up to the bar ordering hot boiled crawfish for the second day in a row.
 
“We see a lot of locals and a lot of return visitors, especially during the crawfish season,” Barnes said. “It’s always good to see people return time and time again.”

​Cuz’s ingredients are sourced locally. Oysters from Pass Christian and crawfish, shrimp and crabs come in seasonally and daily.
 
“We’ve always been known for fresh fried and boiled seafood,” Barnes said. “Now we are also offering lots of grilled items, which we’ve never offered before.”

The chargrilled oysters are a new menu item, as well as seared tuna steaks, blackened redfish, trout étouffée and pastas.
 
“Our new smoked redfish and smoked tuna dip appetizers are very popular,” Barnes said. “We smoke the fish here are the restaurant.” 
 
Cuz’s daiquiri machines are whirring year round — margaritas and bushwhackers often are the staples, but the bar is trying out new seasonal drinks, as well.
 
“Our eggnog daiquiri was such a hit, we decided to try a frozen King Cake daiquiri, which has several different types rum and Bailey’s Irish Cream,” Barnes said. 
 
The purple drink comes in a hurricane glass rimmed with yellow, purple and green sugar and tastes just like a traditional King Cake.
 
Cuz’s also offers gourmet Pop Brother’s Popsicles for something sweet the whole family can enjoy.
 
Locals and tourists alike will enjoy Taco Tuesday, which features $3 shrimp or fish tacos and $3 margaritas.
 
Whether it’s a craving for boiled seafood, one of Cuz’s famous po-boys or you are looking to honor a healthy New Year’s resolution with something grilled, Cuz’s won’t disappoint. Just follow your nose down Beach Boulevard.

“My mom wants me to get married just so Martha Whitney can do the flowers at the wedding.” 
 
The first time I overheard this statement, I couldn’t believe my ears, but there’s a reason I’ve heard this several times now from several different potential brides. 
 
When you see the floral arrangements and antiques at The French Potager on Main Street, you can’t believe your eyes. 

Martha Whitney Butler grew up with a passion for flowers and antiques. French Potager was the name of her parents’ antiques business in Alabama, but Butler has made her Main Street business completely on her own. 
 
“My parents’ hobby has turned into my livelihood,” Butler said.

The floral inspiration comes by Butler’s mother as well – every Sunday for years, she’s arranged the flowers for her church’s Sunday services.
 
“She would have the florist come over to the house every Christmas and decorate the house,” Butler said. “She also has an incredible rose garden.”
 
Butler grew up going to Europe on antique buying trips with her mother, mostly to France. 
 
“My mom would drag me out at 6am in Paris to go to antique street markets,” Whitney said. “We would just bring a couple of outfits or old clothes that we would wear and throw away so we’d have plenty of room in our suitcases.”
 
Her childhood weekends were spent going to antique auctions where she would bid on things as a young child. Butler ran her first antique booth at 16 years old, which means she’s been an antique dealer half of her life. 

​“Like a true merchant, everywhere I go, I want to bring that back and share it with our community,” said Whitney. “I’m an ambassador that brings Bay St. Louis to the world and brings a bit of the world back to the Bay.”
 
Butler has nine vendors in her shop, with treasures from all over, which means new items are coming through the door every day. 
 
On her recent Mexican honeymoon, Butler brought back lots of items that evoked the spirit of Frida Kahlo. She has a few big trips to Europe on the horizon to Europe where she’ll be attending floral workshops and looking for finds to bring back to the Bay.
 
There are no coolers or freezers at The French Potager, which means all the blooms are out for all to admire and smell, and the flowers are fresh.
 
The French Potager does a “Blooms for Business” service where they deliver fresh flowers to local businesses every Thursday. She also makes unique arrangements, like roses tucked in beautiful gift boxes, for special occasions - like this month’s Valentine’s Day. 
 
Planning a romantic dinner in town? The French Potager can deliver flowers to the restaurant to make the table setting extra special.
 
“In addition to our antiques, accessories and home goods, we are a full-service florist,” Butler said. “The best part about being a florist is that we are a part of everything in people’s life — when they are born, when they get married, when they die - we are there. It’s a very fulfilling career.”

A lively and full-bodied Dolly Parton themed Artwalk in January celebrates the iconic queen of country music.  Hot Spots:  Alice Moseley Museum (128 Depot Way) and Bay Cottages (305 Main Street) are the featured businesses. 
 - by Grace Birch

In addition to the drag race, special events are happening all over Old Town: pie contests at various shops, flower crowns at French Potager, a community mural at Social Chair, a satellite hair salon in the courtyard of Smith & Lens, childrens art activities with butterfly paintings and more."We run the gambit from drag queens to cloggers for christ - all are welcome here!" said organizer Ann Madden of Smith and Lens art gallery.

Judges are Ann Tunnerman, aka "Mrs. Cocktail" of Tales of the Cocktail festival, Shelly Brown of Brown's Home Furnishing and drag queen Arthur Severio. DJ Bella will be spinning Dolly Hits. Participants of the Dolly contest should arrive early and register at Smith & Lens. 

Revers should also look for opportunities to donate to rebuilding efforts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, home of DollyWood that recently suffered devastating fires. "We’re all super sad about that," Maggio said. "We understand what that kind of loss is like and we are totally impressed and amazed at the efforts that Dolly has made to take care of her people. We will have a place for donations to support those efforts."

Last year there was a even Dolly sighting — “Listen, I know we love a half-truth about everything, but I swear there was a Dolly sighting in a blue pick up truck on Second and Main last year at Dolly Should,” Maggio said. Ms. Parton has been known the drop in on events held in her honor. Once, she entered a Dolly drag show competition unannounced - and she lost.

Dolly or not, the Bay is gearing up to see lots of sequin boots, bright red lips and big wigs.

Alice Moseley Folk Art & Antique Museum 
Upstairs in the Historic Train Depot
1928 Depot Way #2  
Bay St Louis
 228.467.9223

My paintings don't all look alike, but that's good. - Alice Moseley

In a community of artists and art-lovers, Alice Moseley is Bay St. Louis’ most celebrated creative minds. Proving it’s never too old to reinvent yourself, Moseley began painting in her 60s years old and moved to Bay St. Louis at 80 years old.

“I have found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and it’s Bay St. Louis. I am moving there,” Alice told her family. It was 1988 and she had attended the Bay's Beachfront Festival, invited by local gallery owner, Jerry Dixon.

Today visitors to the Bay can visit the Alice Mosley Folk Art and Antique Museum in the Historic Train Depot, just steps from her former home,  on Wednesday through Saturday.  There's no admission charge. 

“One of Miss Alice’s wishes that the museum will be open to any and everyone, despite their economic situation,” said art director Donna Oakley. “There will never be an admission charge to the museum.”

The museum features 50 original works by Alice Moseley. There’s also an American art glass collection with over 300 pieces. Tim Moseley, Alice’s son, who still lives in Bay St. Louis, has a Majolica collection on display. Visitors will also find a selection of American antiques.

“Our collection is always growing,” Oakley said. “Tim has just acquired another piece.” 

Oakley is a perfect tour guide and ambassador for the museum, having met Alice Moseley on several occasions.

“She was always quick with the one-liners and loved making people smile,” Oakely said. “Alice was a fantastic story teller both in person and through her artwork. For a small lady, she was a larger than life character.”

The museum, a “must-see” for visitors, is in the same building as the Hancock County Visitors Center in the historic Depot building.

“Everything you need to know about what do see and do in our area is here,” said Myrna Green, Hancock County Tourism Development Bureau Director. “You’ll find train artifacts, a Blues Museum, Mardi Gras Museum, Tourism Offices - the park and duck pond are right here. And of course, the Alice Mosley Museum. It’s the greatest starting point to any trip.”

Green was tickled by a recent comment card she read. “A gentlemen wrote ‘my wife drug me in here…’ and then went on to write about how the museum was most wonderful experience he’s had in Bay St. Louis.” Green said. “He now owns several prints after being taken with the story of Alice Moseley.”

The museum also has keepsakes and souvenirs. Prints of all sizes, DVDs, notecards and postcard mean visitors can bring a little piece of Alice Moseley prints home with them. 

“Sales of prints and donations are what keeps the museum going,” said Green.
​

Bay Cottages, LLC 
Ronnie & Sandy Robért
305 Main Street
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520

Ronnie and Sandy Robért, the owners of Bay Cottages Vacation Rentals at 305 and 305 ½ Main Street, had a dream to provide a place for visitors to “live like a local.” 

“We wanted visitors to enjoy the charm of our small town and friendly residents,” Sandy said. “At the end of their stay we wanted it to find it hard to leave.”  As residents of Bay St. Louis, Ronnie and Sandy know all that the city has to offer and also wanted to provide encouragement to their guests to want to live here.  

The couple has succeeded as many of their past guests now own homes in the area. It has also become a place for snowbirds to reside during the winter months in more pleasant weather. 

“We feel fortunate that many of our guests throughout the year are now repeat visitors to our area,” Sandy said.

Bay Cottages Vacation Rentals offer visitors a prime location. The Historic Registered 1920 stucco double is located just steps from the shopping and dining of Old Town’s Main Street.  The cottages are relaxing as their names imply: Southern Comfort or Latitude Adjustment.

Beautiful hardwood floors, beaded board walls and ceilings and comfortable furnishings tall provide an atmosphere that feels like home for your vacation choice for a few days, a week or more. The cottages also have a shared front porch or back deck.

“You can choose to sit out front and watch the world go by or take a walk to visit the variety of interesting shops, art galleries, restaurants, coffee shops and music venues within a few short blocks of our cottage,” Sandy said. 

The cottage is two blocks from the waterfront and harbor and less than one-half mile from the public beach and fishing pier combined with a walkway/bike path along the beach that goes for miles. Visitors are also within a few minutes’ drive of a world class golf course and casinos.

Both sides offer living rooms, two bedrooms, one and one-half baths, fully equipped eat in kitchens with laundry facilities and off street parking. Bay Cottages is a prime spot for families coming in for weddings, reunions or just to have fun at many of the great festivals throughout the year along the Gulf Coast. 

“This is a great place to meet the residents and merchants of Bay St. Louis,” Sandy said. “When you stay at Bay Cottages, it’s easy to see why they call Bay St Louis ‘A Place Apart!’”  

The property is managed by Manieri Real Estate and rates and photos can be found here:  Latitude Adjustment and ​Southern Comfort. 

The holiday Second Saturday Artwalk is the most magical of the year, with gallery openings and live music from 4–8 p.m.  Celebrate Hot Spots Serious Bread (131 Main Street) and Full Moon Clockworks (131 Railroad Avenue).
- stories by Grace Birch, photographs by Ellis Anderson

​Al “the Breadman” Jensen of Serious Bread in Bay St. Louis always had a palate for great bread. An East Coast boy who had traveled the world as an oceanographer, Jensen made sure to bring an empty suitcase when visiting family in California. 
 
He filled the empty suitcase with San Francisco sourdough bread. When the bread ran out, his sister-in-law Susan would send more sourdoughs. 
 
“One day my San Diego sister was tired of sending the San Francisco sourdough, so she sent a recipe and a note that said, ‘You need to start making your own bread,’” smiled Vivian Jensen, Al’s wife. 
 
So began a journey to learn about the lost art of bread making. Al enrolled in a class in King Arthur Flour, following it up with a more intensive training on sourdoughs. Workshops in Colorado and New York honed their skills for making bread starters and perfecting bagels. 
 
“I kept saying we need to name the bread,” Vivian said. “And it was easy because we used to put a morsel in people’s mouth and say, ‘You have to try this, it’s serious bread.’”
 
The first thing one notices about Serious Bread’s artisanal loaves is that the tastes and textures are different from store bought brands. 
 
“The health aspect is important to us,” Vivian said. “Most breads you find today are laden with sugar and lots of yeast to make it rise faster. The amount of sugar and salt in our bread is very low and it keeps for four to five days with no preservatives, especially the rye.”
 
Serious Bread's goods are made from scratch with lots of hand-kneading. Italian and French techniques — biga and poolish — start the bread. The Jensens also soak their grains so that the vitamins and minerals stay locked in. This takes 8-12 hours.
 
“There are no shortcuts to good bread,” Vivian said. “I recently read a study that soaking the grain is comparative to sprouting the grain — that increased iron absorption goes up over 1000 percent. You would have to eat more than 12 slices of regular bread to compare to the nutrients in one slice of our bread.”
 
No need to worry over smooshed bread when carting home a loaf. Serious Bread pops right back up when pressed down, another sign of the quality.
 
“Because of the time that we take with our bread it tastes better, lasts longer, much healthier,” Al said. “We are always experimenting with our bread. In fact, we had a class recently on how to make a sweet rye. It’s such a good tasting bread that my wife and I argued who was going to eat the last piece.”
 
Costumers will always find new breads on display at Serious Bread. Harvest Sourdough is another recent addition featuring cranberries, raisins and walnuts.
 
“A lot of breads taste great with butter and jam, but the Harvest tastes better with a sharp cheese,” Al said.
 
The Jensens find customers really appreciate information on how to care for their bread. Artisanal bread is a bit more than bread found at big chain stores, but if kept right will last much longer than anything produced commercially. 
 
“I tell them to slice it, freeze it in the bag, then pull out what you need in the morning,” said Vivian. “There’s something about the frozen slice going into the toaster that awakens the taste, and that’s what we want for our customers.”
 
Serious Bread also has serious sweet treats. Cookies, muffins, scones and more are some of the items people rave about.
 
Bakers Rosie and Kandace keep coming up with new things, like their new energy bars with 10 different grains, seeds, coconuts and dates.
 
On Second Saturday, December 10, Rosie and Kandace will show off a different skill: both are talented musicians. Rosie will play the flute and Kandace the clarinet after a set from Kay Sones’ family band, which will feature Christmas songs and old-time favorites starting in front of the bakery at 4 p.m.
 
After 10 years of finding their new passion, the Jensens are thriving and say they owe so much of Serious Bread's success to their talented, dedicated staff. They love serving customers who are serious about good bread! 

​Just steps from the railroad, a historic home keeps the rhythm of Bay St. Louis even when the tracks are silent.
 
Walking through the front door of Full Moon Clockworks, it’s clear Terry Downs has a passion for timepieces. Clocks of every shape, size and age adorn the walls and cover her workbench. 
 
“My love of clocks started when I was looking for a job,” Downs said. “It’s just as simple as that. I was 30 years old and a homemaker looking for a career. It was a turning point in my life.”
 
She stepped into Stan Good Clocks in Tampa Florida looking for work. Downs had a bit of experience refinishing furniture, but Good already had someone doing casing work.
 
He offered her an apprenticeship and from there a new career — master clockmaker — was born.
 
“I apprenticed for two years in the shop every day, and they could see my curiosity,” Downs said. “One of the clockmakers was retiring and Stan offered me a position.”
 
Downs was the only woman clockmaker in the shop and to this day she finds very few female colleagues in her field.
 
In the early 2000s, Downs relocated to New Orleans where her husband, Neil Gauthier, was. She knew she wanted to open a shop of her own, but didn’t feel like the big city was the right fit.
 
“We knew Ellis Anderson and she encouraged us to come visit the Bay more and more,” Downs said. “We saw the evolution of the Second Saturdays and really felt at home here.”
 
In a town full of antiques, Downs has no shortage of work. She makes house calls to work on grandfather clocks and takes appointments at her studio for clients to bring in their broken tickers.
 
Her favorite clocks? Down favors French timepieces. “I like the way the French build their clocks,” she said. “They are really quality pieces.” 
 
A unique clock, an oeil-de-boeuf, overlooks Downs’s workbench and literally doubles as an art piece. The French clock features a beautiful painting that would look at home in a major museum. 
 
Downs prefers to work on antique clocks, but sees all types of clocks in her line of work. She also only works on clocks, not wristwatches.
 
“Watches are different,” she explains. “The tools are different. With watches you buy a part to replace, and with clocks you are making the replacement parts.”
 
Modern technologies and mindsets seem to be taking the place of wristwatches and wall clocks. Downs has met millennial children who don’t know how to tell time with a clock face. 
 
“American clockmakers are dying off in droves,” she said. “I’m a young clockmaker and I’m 65.” 
 
Downs agrees there will always be a place for nostalgic things, but the industry is not sustainable.
 
“A young person could not support a family being a clockmaker, and I think that young people’s minds gravitate to something more technical,” she said.
 
In Bay St. Louis, Downs has certainly found a community that appreciates history and though Full Moon Clockworks she keeps the heartbeat of that history ticking along.

Fall weather makes it the perfect time to enjoy Second Saturday Artwalk's gallery openings and live music from 4–8 p.m.  Celebrate Hot Spots Bay Town Inn (208 North Beach Blvd.) and Manieri Real Estate (501 Main Street  #3).
- stories by Grace Birch, photographs by Ellis Anderson

In a tourist town, there’s a sweet spot in striking a balance between living locally and embracing the out-of-towners.  In Bay St. Louis, Main Street feels like Mayberry and soon visitors and shop owners are on a first name basis. 

Perhaps that’s what sets Bay St. Louis apart from most vacation-friendly spots along the Gulf Coast: vacationers feel like they’ve found a home away from home. 

On North Beach Road, the Bay Town Inn is a favorite of many frequent visitors. The hospitality of Nikki Moon, owner and hostess extraordinaire, is a hallmark of what makes Bay St. Louis so unique. 

Three years after re-opening the Bay Town Inn, Moon and her staff have turned hundreds of tourists into semi-locals and ambassadors of the Bay. 

Amy Davis, a District Manager at Factory Connection, found out in 2015 that her company was opening a branch in Waveband, Miss. Davis travels a lot for work and is used to staying in chain hotels, but decided to take a chance and book and room at a more quaint bed & breakfast.

“I asked everyone that I came across, ‘Where would be the best place for me to stay?’  Everyone said, ‘Bay Town Inn,’” Davis explained. “I was a little skeptical at first, because I usually travel alone and big hotels offer safety and amenities, but as soon as I talked to Nikki on the phone I knew I made the right choice.” ​

Upon arrival Davis said when she met Nikki for the first time she instantly felt like they had know each other forever. “The Inn is so comfortable, inviting, and very peaceful. I tell everyone that it is my ‘home away from home,’ and that is exactly what it feels like.” 

Since her first visit just over a year ago, Davis has stayed over 10 times and is always excited when she stays in a new room. “The turtle-themed room, and the seahorse are two of my favorites," Davis said, “You can tell that time was spent decorating each room.”

Liz and Bill Chilton from Yukon, Oklahoma, echo those sentiments. The couple has been visiting the Bay since 1993 and have enjoyed the Inn since Ann Tidwell owned the Inn. When Moon purchased the original Bay Town Inn in 2004, she and the Chiltons formed a wonderful new friendship.

“Nikki’s charm and hospitality makes everyone feel like family,” Liz said. “Her attention to detail is exceptional in all the rooms, from the local art on the walls to the robes in the closets. These things - along with her wonderful ‘welcome’ cookies to her fabulous breakfast -  make our stays perfect every time.” 

The couple has traveled all along the Gulf Coast from Padre Island, Texas to Panama City, Florida, but say in addition to all the special events like Crab-fest, Souper Mud Fest and Cruisin’ on the Coast, the quaintness of Bay St. Louis and comforts of the Bay Town Inn keep them coming back. 

Davis couldn’t agree more. “From the minute that I first arrived in Bay St. Louis, I have felt welcomed by everyone,” said Davis.
​
“Bay St. Louis to me, is a family all living in one community. People all take the time to stop and say hello. You never meet a stranger here.”

The Manieris have been in business in Bay St. Louis, in one form or another, since the 1870s. Manieri’s Restaurant was one of the oldest businesses in Bay St. Louis.  

"Anyone who grew up in this area new and frequented Manieri’s Restaurant," said Leslie Pupura. "We all have fond memories of the “Aunts” Dutch & Vee with their crazy antics when serving the public - they were quite entertaining.  It has been an honor to carry on a family tradition serving the public."

Fast forward 100 years and meet Joey, Sessie, Vicki, Leslie and Rosario; a personable team of professionals at Manieri Real Estate, LLC. Their team has been meeting Bay St. Louis residents'  real estate needs for over 25 years.

As a native of this area, Joey Manieri truly enjoys meeting newcomers and sharing his love of this special place with them, which is why real estate is a perfect fit for the family. 

"Our roots are in the restaurant business, but at our core, we are hospitality through and through," said Manieri. 

From sales to vacation rentals and property management, Manieri Real Estate, LLC is a one-stop-shop for real estate needs in Bay St. Louis. 

"Our Main Street location is like Open House every day," Manieri said. "We never know who’s going to pop in just to say hello.  People enjoy the atmosphere we’ve created here as we strive to keep it light and easy." 

Many vacationers end up calling Bay St. Louis home, and the Manieris say the real estate market, especially in Old Town, has been heating up in the past couple of years. 

"In downtown Bay St. Louis, the real estate is so hot right now. We are seeing an uptick in the surrounding areas, but Old Town [the historic district]  is an 'it' area," explained Manieri.

The surrounding areas, like Waveland, are also seeing an uptick in real estate prices. Leslie has fond memories of that area from 20 years ago. 

"We moved here in 1996 from New Orleans and were down on the beach every day, like someone was going to steal the sand," Leslie said with a laugh. 

"We lost everything in Katrina, but it was a no-brainer to come back," she said. "We have no regrets and feel fortunate to live in a place where every day is just another day in paradise." 

Leslie compares managing over a dozen vacation rentals to owning a hotel with rooms spread across the Bay. 

The Manieri family has such a passion for the Bay that it makes the job of selling real estate really easy.

"We want people to shop local, live local," said Manieri. "We have local directories in each rental - where to and how to do things - so people can really get a taste of Bay St. Louis"
​

Since it's also the final day of Cruisin' the Coast, things are hopping all day long!  End the day with Second Saturday Artwalk's gallery openings and live music from 4–8 p.m.  Celebrate Hot Spots Bay-Tique Boutique (125 Main Street) and Mockingbird Café (110 South Second Street).
- stories by Grace Birch, photographs by Ellis Anderson

Bay-Tique
125 Main Street
Bay St Louis 
228-344-3043

What started out as a little Bay St. Louis beach store with swimwear and novelty items has evolved into a go-to place for lady’s apparel.

Bay-Tique — owned by Jane Alford, who also runs the Carroll House Bed & Breakfast — is the perfect place for Alford to meet new people and explore creativity. 

“We enjoy a strong local following as well as semi-tourists,” Alford said. “We love seeing our repeat visitors who come here on a regular basis. They are here so much it feels like they are part of the fabric of the town.” 

Having moved from Second Street to Main Street means more walk-in foot traffic, as well. 

Bay-Tique is renowned for its original line of souvenir clothing and accessories. Alford's logos, featuring Bay St. Louis, Bay Rat and Go Coastal, are popular with visitors as well as locals. While the boutique is largely centered around women’s fashions, these tees and hats cater to men and children, as well. 

“As I started bringing in lady’s apparel, I didn’t want to lose our Bay St. Louis signature souvenir items,” Alford said. 

As Cruisin’ the Coast descends upon the Gulf Coast, Alford and other shop owners are gearing up for their biggest week of the year.  

“We all count on Cruisin’ and it looks like the weather is going to be perfect this year,” Alford said. “That first week in October we see people doing heavy souvenir shopping, their holiday shopping, people shopping for children and grandchildren. We are stocked up on our gift items.”

Bay-Tique is also stocked up for fall. Cooler weather shopping in a beach town can be tricky. Alford said she had to learn the hard way that heavy coats and thick sweaters don’t fly out the door. 

“We are keeping it light. It’s all about layering in cooler coastal weather,” Alford said. This season look for rich, bold colors like olive, burgundy and gold. Shorter boots have taken the place of tall boots that were popular last year.

“I try not to buy just based on trends,” Alford said. “You’ll find lots of classic finds at Bay-tique.”

Alford’s shop is like a little family with two key employees besides herself. “It took time to get people that I felt comfortable with and that I could count on,” Alford said. “We’ve got a nice little family of three. We cover for each other and count on each other. We are all in it together.” 

In fact, Alford just got back from an extended trip from Richmond, VA to visit with her new niece, Madison Victoria Pratt, or MVP as Alford says proudly. 

“When I came back from being back in town after being gone for three weeks, all my fall stuff was in,” Alford said. “We’ve really hit our stride. l Iooked around and thought, ‘We did good.’” 

Cruise on in to Bay-tique in October to check out their new fall fashions. 

Mockingbird Café
110 South Second Street
Bay St Louis
228-467-8383

For Second Saturday, the BSL Trio — voted the best classic rock band on the coast — will be playing from 6–9pm.  It's a free show and family-friendly!

Coffee shop culture tends to attract creative types. The Mockingbird Cafe takes it a step further: it’s an entire nest filled with creative forces in the kitchen and behind the counter. 
 
Art adorns the walls, the signage, the latte art, the food… it all has a flair, an air of happiness. The Mockingbird team is loving their work, loving their life. In fact, the line between life and work is a beautiful blur.

The staff is close-knit and supportive of each other. The family extends beyond the circle of workers to the customers across the counter. 

“We love seeing the same folks every morning,” said Aryana Ivey. “It’s like our regulars are showing up for work, too.” 

The Mockingbird celebrated their 10th anniversary last month. Owner Alicein Wonderland intended the Mockingbird to be a place of healing in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The coffee shop was a place for folks to meet up and talk about what was going on around the Gulf Coast. 

Today, it remains an epicenter of Bay St. Louis. 

“The best way to get to know everyone and to know what’s going on is to work at the Mockingbird,” said Ivey.

The creative minds behind the Mockingbird have the heart for their beloved beach town, but also are well traveled and encouraged to explore life beyond the cozy house on Second Street. 

“Alicein is a great motivator, encouraging, always supporting all of us as artists,” said Ivey, who is planning an adventure to Morocco to further her henna art skills. “I started doing Henna four or five years ago, just started dabbling, and when Alicein decided to do the night market she pulled me out of my shell and told me to get going with the henna.”

Laura Hurt is one of several employees who has been working at the Mockingbird since it opened its doors. Hurt is well known for her coffee-slinging skills, but also the colorful headdresses and headbands she makes from flowers, feathers, sequins, beads, horns and more. 

“Before I started working at the Mockingbird, I had no idea I had any artistic talent at all,” Hurt said. “It all started with Mardi Gras. I saw lots of headdresses and thought to myself that I could do some. Martha Whitney of the French Potager was persistent that I sell them and from there Alicein fueled the fire.” 

At some point Hurt says it was clear that every one of the Mockingbird employees has an artistic talent, and Mr. Atticus’s Night Market was born.

“We at the Mockingbird have formed very meaningful relationships with not only the people we work with, but also the community we serve,” said Whitney LaFrance, who has also been working at the Mockingbird since it opened. “I think that kind of support is truly how we all have the means and the desire to branch out. The open hearts and helping hands that gather around the Mockingbird are an inspiring thing. It provides the kind of atmosphere that allows you to be yourself and share that with others.”

In a recent interview for the Mississippi Museum of Art, Wonderland said, “I love my town in that it’s allowed me to be who I am.” Clearly, the mantra at the Mockingbird is one that encourages discovering and embracing individuals, and celebrating artistic differences and talents. 

“No one here ever quits,” said Hurt. “It’s such a great environment that I’ve never even attempted to find another job. Everything I want, need and love is right here.” 

Things are lively all day and start hopping from 4-8pm.  Celebrate Hot Spots Crawford Realty Group (112 Court Street) and Sycamore House (210 Main Street)!  Get the inside scoop on these businesses below. 
- by Grace Birch

For Second Saturday, Crawford Realty will be having live music by the Electric Sheep and refreshments.  Plus, the new Daiquiri Shak just next door will be open.  

A real estate professional for over 15 years, Stephen Crawford helps people realize their dreams. “I love helping people find the home that they are excited about and can't wait to move into,” Crawford said. “It is also wonderful to help sellers sell their home and move on to the next chapter in their life.”

Like many living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast Crawford calls himself a New Orleans transplant. 

“The Gulf Coast is no stranger to my family,” Crawford said. “My grandmother summered at her beachfront home on Scenic Drive in Pass Christian long before I was even alive. When my father had his own family he genetically passed that love on to his children. I have very fond memories of frequenting the Mississippi Gulf Coast as a child.”

Family is paramount to Crawford and his childhood memories are full of fun and adventure. Two cornerstones for the Crawfords are family values and building lifelong memories.

“I come from a loving family that is perhaps the greatest gift in my life,” Crawford said. “My father Bobby, mother Suzie, older brother Jordy, and younger sister Lacey are all my best friends. No matter where we were, as long as we were together everything seemed better.”

The family lived in New Orleans, but were pulled to the coast often. 

“We started out renting a little house on the corner of Rabbit Run and North Beach Boulevard, where we would throw our cast nets in the bay over a can of cat food with holes punched in it to fill our nets with shrimp,” Crawford remembers. 

Another favorite family pastime was crabbing with nets from the pier until all hours of the night and water skiing in the bay. “My Dad saw to it that my brother and I were up on water skis almost before we could walk,” Crawford said.

Crawford remembered one day his dad called the family into the kitchen in New Orleans and he told the kids to load up in the car because they were going on the ride of a lifetime.

“With the Times Picayune in hand he explained to us that he had found an interesting property located on the Wolf River that he wanted to go take a look at,” Crawford said. “So we loaded up in the white and brown family Oldsmobile station wagon. Little did I know that trip would change my life forever!”

The family arrived at an overgrown, magical, three-acre wilderness with a slightly burned and charred house. Crawford remembers a small footbridge crossing an overgrown pond with cattails that reached for the sky. 

From that day on the family spent every spare moment they could at a place they called “Pass a Good Time.” With no TV, the family went on adventures to explore the woods and river systems, and rebuilt the house and pier. 

Crawford went on to graduate from Ole Miss and worked for a yacht brokerage, then at Science and Engineer Associates. Later he helped create and launch Voodoo BBQ in New Orleans for the Doody group, but Mississippi kept calling him back.

“My friends thought I lost my mind,” he said. 

Crawford decided to try his hand at real estate. 

“It’s simple really. I have a passion for it,” he said. “It’s in my blood. My dad and I used to jump in the convertible and just drive the back roads trying to get lost. Always looking at property and learning what made it unique.”

All these years later, Crawford’s dreams are coming true by helping others live their dreams. His sister Laura introduced him to his wife Laura. The couple has two children — a son, Coerte, and a little girl named Lottye. All share a love of Bay St. Louis.

“I get paid for helping families find what my family was so fortunate to have found many years ago,” Crawford said. “This is the best job in the world. I am able to wake up every day of my life and relive the best memories of my life.”

Michael and Stella LeGardeur-Eastham literally invite patrons of The Sycamore House into their own home. 

"When you live upstairs, you can’t play hooky," Michael said. "This is our home, so the decor had to be something we had to live with day in and day out. Between Stella and I, one of us is never not in the building."

The chef-duo lives upstairs with their two children, Alexander, 11 and MiMi, 9. Downstairs is a series of art-filled dining rooms. During Sunday brunches, sunlight drenches the tables and in the evening the ambient lighting makes for a romantic, cozy atmosphere.

In addition to the dining rooms, a screened-in porch and a long, welcoming bar near the back patio offer more seating options. There's also a large back patio for al fresco dining in the more temperate months. 

Michael, a New York native, met his New Orleans girl, Stella, while they were both working at New World Home Cooking near Woodstock. 

"We decided that we wanted to have our own place," Michael said. "One of my in-laws’ neighbors had a house in Pass Christian and were telling us that the area could use another fine dining restaurant." 

The couple was staying in a bed & breakfast in Bay St. Louis when the heard the Landmark on Main Street was for sale and in November 2002, it was theirs. 

From the moment the Sycamore House opened its doors, the menu represented the couple's love of travel, French cooking and Southern classics. 

"Our menu started out in our French-based training," Michael said. "There's still no fryer. We want to keep things clean, simple and fresh."

The vast menu certainly has something for every palette. The Southern classics like barbeque shrimp and fish amandine are on the menu along side Asian-style dishes like Indonesian and Thai curries to South American and Spanish staples. Diners are treated to food that they can't find in other Bay St. Louis eateries. ​

"I've always been a fan of Ropa Vieja," Michael said. "It’s a Spanish peasant food that people have learned to make it phenomenal." 

The menu has evolved over the years to reflect visitors’ tastes, but also the chefs' favorites.

"Pizza is a new addition from the original menu," Michal said. "I love pizza because I’m from New York. We got some pizza stones for the oven and here we are." 

Sycamore House is also well known for their Wednesday sushi nights. 

"We both like sushi," Michael said. "Bay City Grill Restaurant used to do a sushi night and years later someone was talking about it. Stella and I said 'we could do something like that.'"

Like so many along the Gulf Coast, 11 years ago the couple spent hundreds of thousands of dollars and as many hours of sweat equity bringing back the Sycamore House from the ravages of Hurricane Katrina. 

"It was weird, after the storm we had electricity and cable before we had gas, so we couldn’t come back fully until we could cook," Michael said. "But we had a Coleman grill and served hot plates to those who were back in town right afterwards. It’s so fulfilling to come back after something like that, but it’s hard to think about going through it again."

Especially in the past two or three years, the chefs note that Bay St. Louis has really grown. It's wise to call ahead for reservations to the Sycamore House these days, especially on a certain Saturday night.

"We are sold out most months for Second Saturday," Michael said. "It's a shame when we have to turn people away, but I'd rather do that and make sure that the people sitting have a good service rather than trying to stretch ourselves too thin."

Between their family and the restaurant, everything Mike and Stella could ask for is under one beautiful roof on Main Street in Bay St. Louis. 

"Our kids have a good palette," said Michael. "When we used to do duck confit, that was their favorite. Alexander loves the turtle soup and Mimi's favorite is the sunchoke soup. As a family we make homemade pasta once a week and we hardly ever eat out."

Honestly, why would you eat out when you have one of the best restaurants in Bay St. Louis right downstairs?
​

Embrace Space is the theme of the monthly artwalk on August 13th, celebrating the fact that Hancock County is home to the INFINITY Science Center,  and one of the largest space-centered complexes in the nation - Stennis Space Center.  Our story has complete details! 
- by Grace Wilson

The theme for August is Embrace Space, celebrating the fact that Hancock County is home to the INFINITY Science Center,  and one of the largest space-centered complexes in the nation - Stennis Space Center. INFINITY will have a booth with interactive exhibits set up at 216 Main Street (California Drawstrings).

Shops on the first block of Main will be serving Moon Pies and non-alcoholic Space Punch, and hosting a Martian & Astronaut costume contest at 4:30pm, with prizes for top three winners. 

On the second block, merchants will focus on Fashion of the Future, with a Caftans In Space Block Party, so wear your most best Star Trek attire.  There'll be an Interstellar Photo Booth at Smith & Lens Gallery (106 S. 2nd Street), along with a pop-up show on their patio of paintings and pottery by Catie Daniel.  

Many stores will offer discounts to NASA and INFINITY employees with IDs to show appreciation for local people involved with space exploration.​

The Social Mosaic performs at the Mockingbird Café (110 South Second Street) from 6pm - 9pm.

For Second Saturday, Antique Maison will host the Prime Time Band in front of their store from 5:30 to 7:30 with artist demonstrations outside, as well. Inside the store dealers will have special discounts for Second Saturday and complimentary food and drink will be served from 4 to 9 p.m.

Antique Maison has been reinventing itself since opening after the storm, much like the owners Sylvia and Ed Young. The Youngs moved to Bay St. Louis over 25 years ago in 1991 after moving from New Orleans where Ed's parents ran a popular furniture store on Magazine Street. 

After Katina destroyed their bridal, tuxedo and costume business, the couple doubled down on investing in Bay St. Louis. Today they are proud that Antique Maison, on the same site as their former store Bon Temps Rouler, is one of the Bay's largest antique malls with over 40 dealers in 7,000 square feet of space. 

Each visit to Antique Maison leads to a new treasure hunt. The booths are as unique as the vendors themselves. One stall will feel like an antique ship's quarters and the next may look like a set of 1970's sitcom. 

Shabby chic finds sit along side contemporary original art, often staged in a way shoppers can see how old and new pieces can fit together in their own home. In addition to local artwork and fine furniture, visitors can find endless home decor items, jewelry, books, tools and collectibles from all eras.

If a whirl around the winding rooms of Antique Maison leaves you empty handed, chances are you'll find what you're looking for in the another one of the Bay's mega antique stores, Antique Maison Ulman Mall & Tea Room, which is a sister store only a few blocks away, also owned and operated by the Youngs. Vacationers will be interested to know the couple also runs a holiday rental, "In the Heart of Old Town." 

For a couple that contemplated retiring just a few short years ago, the Youngs are busier than ever, always filling needs they see in the Bay St. Louis community. 

Eddie McDaniel will play outside Gourmet Galley from 4:30 to 7:30. Complimentary refreshments will be served inside.

Rebecca Diaz had always wanted to open a retail store and 5 years ago, she got her chance. 

“It was one of those random things, Diaz said. “I always wanted to open a store and my mother-in-law ran a stationary store called You Are Invited on Main Street. The space next door came open and I jumped on it.”

Today the huge picture windows of the former real estate office are filled with Gourmet Galley’s kitchen items and gadgets.

“I’ve always loved to entertain and cook,” Diaz said. “The shop is a perfect fit for me and Bay St. Louis.”

Diaz enjoys lots of repeat local business and visitors that come back again and again. “I’m so thankful to all my customers, especially those who come in and holiday shop with me every year,” Diaz said. “It’s nice to have a good following.”

Even the name Gourmet GALLEY (not Gallery) is a perfect fit for a kitchen shop just steps from the Bay St. Louis marina. “Being coastal I was thinking of the whole play on the galley being a boat kitchen,” Diaz said. 

Shoppers will find familiar names like Le Creuset, find new gadgets and fun designers of glassware and tea towels like Catsudio and unique utensils by Dreamfarm. 

Local artists like Dana Whittman and Candice Mannino do pottery for Gourmet Galley. There’s restored furniture from an artist in Gulfport.

There are always new things to be found in this bright at airy Main Street shop and plenty of local staples like Mississippi made salad dressings and snacks. 

Diaz keeps on gourmet kitchen trends by going to markets in Atlanta and scouring catalogs to bring her customers new fun finds for their kitchen.

Whether it’s a hostess gift or a little something to make your inner chef or entertainer happy, Gourmet Galley has something for every taste.

The monthly artwalk on July 9th celebrates the birthday of iconic artist Frida Kahlo with an extraordinary costume contest and a fiesta of other events! Hot Spots:  Magnolia Antiques (200 Main Street) and O'Dwyer Realty (105 North Beach).
- stories by Grace Wilson

For Second Saturday, in the courtyard between the store and Smith & Lens Gallery, Magnolia Antiques hosts Heather and the Monkey King starting at 4:30 p.m.
 
Most people don’t think of the word “new” when it comes to an antique store, but in fact Magnolia Antiques finds ways to stay current, even in a shop full of vintage treasures. 
 
“We are always getting new stuff,” said Glenda Schornick, owner of Magnolia Antiques.
 
What most Bay St. Louis natives remember as Jerome’s Department Store found new life in 2008 as Magnolia Antiques. There are five vendors in 3000 square feet of space, including Annie the Doll Doctor, who used to have a shop across the street. 
 
Magnolia Antiques boasts a large collection of playable ukuleles thanks to the keen eye of Glenda’s husband Jack. The store also features lots of mid-century modern pieces that their daughter Shay Coss enjoys. It’s a family affair at Magnolia Antiques, which makes for a wide variety of finds — from furniture to jewelry and toys, antique coins and so much more. 
 
Another unique find at Magnolia Antiques: Betty Stechman’s photography postcards from Bay St. Louis and Waveland. Schornick recently bought all the postcards from Stechman’s family. 
 
“We don't focus on one particular thing,” Schornick said. “We have something for everyone from every time period. It may not be all vintage, but it’s all collectible.”

For Second Saturday, in honor of Frida Fest, O'Dwyer Realty will host a mariachi band at their new location on Beach Boulevard. 
 
In a world ruled by cell phones and email, it’s nice to walk into a business and connect with someone face-to-face — especially when it comes to one of the most important life decisions: buying real estate. 
 
Right on Beach Boulevard, between the Blind Tiger and on the way to Tripletails on some of the most desirable real estate in Bay St. Louis, O’Dwyer Realty offers help in finding others their own dream homes. 
 
“We really enjoy our beautiful view of the Bay. St. Louis marina and the wonderful foot traffic that we get being right on Beach Boulevard,” said Avra O’Dwyer, owner and broker at O’Dwyer Realty. 
 
O’Dwyer started making real estate deals in New Orleans decades ago and fell in love with the Gulf Coast and Bay St. Louis. Sixteen years ago, she opened the Mississippi branch of O’Dwyer Realty and today has three businesses with 32 agents in New Orleans, Waveland and Bay St. Louis.
 
“What’s not do love about Bay St. Louis?” O’Dwyer said. “The people, the ambiance, the water… everything is wonderful here.”

11am - photobooth opens at Bay Emporium (until 8pm)
Taco Extravaganza begins at Starfish Cafe (until 6:30)
 
12pm - drop off self portraits for contest at Bohemian Gallery 
 
4pm - outdoor double feature begins at Antique Maison featuring Nacho Libre & Book of Life (until 8:00ish)
face painting and henna by Mistress Ivey at the Mockingbird
registration opens for Frida Be You & Me look alike contest at Smith & Lens (until 7pm)
Live Mission Music by Tyler Santiago & Health Fair with Hancock Ocshner at Starfish Cafe (until 6:30)
 
4:30pm - judging begins for homemade salsa contest at the shops at 111 Main
Jezer y el Mono Rey begin playing at Magnolia Antiques (until 7:30)
 
5:00pm - Photo Booth opens at Social Chair 
Imagination Station opens at the French Potager - make your own Luchador masks (until 7pm)
 
Loteria with Carmen Lugo begins at Smith & Lens (until 7pm)
 
6:00 - Blue Magnolia starts playing at the Mockingbird (until 9pm)
 
7:30pm - Look Alike contest starts
 
8:00pm - drawing for Frida tote bag filled with over $100 worth of goodies at Identity Vintage & Vinyl - drop your name in their bucket to win!
 
Frida inspired special menus at:
Louie & the RedHeaded Lady
Starfish Cafe 
Mockingbird Cafe
Frida inspired drink specials at:
Sycamore House
Bouy's
Trapani's
​
All day long:
Fresh flower crowns at the French Potager
Frida inspired clothing available for purchase at Bay Emporium 
Frida inspired art and merchandise available at Smith & Lens, Social Chair, French Potager, Louie & the Redheaded Lady, etc.

Celebrate the summer in Old Town during the Second Saturday Artwalk on June 11th - with Hot Spots California Drawstrings (216 Main Street) and Twin Light (136 Main Street)!
- stories by Grace Birch

And don't miss the popular BSL Trio, playing at the Mockingbird Café (110 S. Second Street) from 6pm - 9pm.  It's an outside, family-friendly venue and it's free!

California Drawstrings
216 Main Street,
​Bay St Louis
(228) 463-2124
A CLEAVER SPONSOR - please thank them! 

Owner of California Drawstrings Linda Keenan will tell you her boutique specializing in cotton, linen, and silk doesn’t have much to do with California. And that’s partly true — her company has been firmly rooted in the Gulf South since 1984.
 
But California borrows its motto from Archimedes, the famed Greek mathematician, whom according to legend exclaimed "Eureka!" after he discovered a method of determining the purity of gold.
 
Keenan had her eureka moment as a young entrepreneur coming to New Orleans for the 1984 World’s Fair. 
 
“I was working in real estate in North Carolina when I saw this fabulous line of linen clothing at a boat show,” said Keenan. “I knew I wanted to continue my real estate career and move to New Orleans, but I thought people visiting for the World’s Fair weren’t going to understand the heat and humidity. I thought I could earn some extra money by selling this cool clothing line in the French Market and it just really took off.”
 
Keenan quickly outgrew her French Market booth and moved into the French Quarter. Today her store on Royal Street in New Orleans is a well-known spot for both men and women to pick up the best in resort wear — shirts, pants, shorts, dresses, skirts, outerwear, accessories — California Drawstrings has something for everyone to be comfortable and stylish, no matter how high temperatures rise. 
 
California Drawstrings has also expanded to a Magazine Street store, as well as an outlet location on the North Shore in Covington. 
 
“One day Nancy Moynan of Lulu's called me saying the mayor of Bay St. Louis told her about my shop and they thought it would be a good fit for Bay St. Louis,” Keenan said. “I went to see her space at Maggie May’s and opened a Bay St. Louis branch in 2012.” 
 
Just as Keenan faced the familiar problem of outgrowing the space a couple of years later, she heard of a business for sale on Main Street. She saw the building and immediately made an offer. 
 
“I just know Bay St. Louis is a place I want to spend the rest of my life,” Keenan said. “I’ll never really retire, but the pace is so much easier here than in New Orleans. And after a while you just appreciate not having to worry about things like parking.” 
 
Keenan said that besides being a picturesque beach town, what she loves about Bay St. Louis is the people. And Keenan knows people.
 
“I feel like I have the greatest sales team and the greatest managers,” Keenan said. “They look after the stores as if they were their own. The greatest compliment you can give me is that you love my staff. They are truly like family to me watching out for what’s best for all of us. I can’t be in three places at once. And to think I literally started with two tables and $1500 at the French Market.” 
 
When she’s in Bay St. Louis and not at California Drawstrings, chances are you’ll find Keenan at her favorite place to eat: the Sycamore House. 
 
“Their food is very consistent, very good, and they have a great bar and bartender,” Keenan said. “It’s the kind of place where they know your name when you walk in.” 
 
You could say Keenan has struck gold again by moving to the Bay. 

Twin Light Creations
136 Main St
Bay St Louis
(228) 469-0011

Twin Light Creations isn’t just the a shop, it’s a home. Located in one of Old Town’s iconic bungalows, the 1890s building is listed on the city’s historic tour as the Angeline House named for a family from Sicily who once lived in it. 

Today the proud business owners and residents are Pam Collins and Joy Panks, who have created a colorful, whimsical paradise where they live, work and play. Each day they welcome people in and when they lock the shop doors at night, they simply walk out the back door into their apartment in the evening. 

Collins and Panks love having visitors come through the shop and admire their unique home and garden offerings. Shoppers are wowed at the variety of items. It’s easy to see that this shop is a literal dream come true for the owners of Twin Light. 

“We started renting a cottage in Bay St. Louis in 1999 and it just got harder and harder to leave,” said Collins. “We knew one day we wanted to have a shop, but we also knew we wanted it to be something different.” 

At the time Collins was working in the hotel business in New Orleans while Panks was a draftsman, drawing deep water structures. 

“I jumped out of the frying pan with hotels and into the frying pan of retail,” smiled Collins. 

“It’s a lot like having a farm,” Panks added. “Our days start incredibly early and go incredibly late. It makes it hard to travel sometimes.” 

Their whole Twin Light adventure started with travel. While they were still working their former jobs, they took two 6 week trips - one up the East Coast and one to the West Coast. Along the way they met families and artists that made unique goods. By the end of the trips they had a list of 50 vendors they wanted to work with. 

“Some people said we would never make it because we don’t feature many local artists, Collins said. "But we're still proud to be here."

Twin Light does feature local artist Julie Nelson, well-known for raku pottery, but the rest of the items are unique to Old Town Bay St. Louis. 

Lots of wind chimes. hand-blown glass, specially lighting, metal artworks and wine-themed decor items line the walls, shelves and ceilings. 

The bungalow keeps going with beautiful bird fountains near the back and a whole section dedicated to garden and house flags. 

Out the French doors in the back of the shop, Twin Light Creations continues onto an outside deck and stunning garden. The outdoor walls are filled with vibrant Haitian art and spinners blow in the Bay breeze in the backyard. 

Each unique piece has the story of the artist or family behind it, which Collins and Panks are all too happy to share. 

There are many unique lights and lanterns in the shop, which fits the name Twin Light Creations perfectly. The true meaning of the name Twin Light is even more illuminating. 

“We have friends who always call us twin because Joy and I look so much alike,” said Collins. “And the Light is for God.” 

Indeed, images of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary hang above the front window, rescued after Hurricane Katrina from their former shop location right across the street. 

The Sacred Hearts and special twins have found their true home at 136 Main Street and their light is shining bright in Old Town at Twin Light Creations. 

Celebrate the arrival of summer with Hot Spots Bay Books (131 Main Street) and Something Special (207 Main Street)!

It's full-tilt boogie spring and Old Town celebrates Second Saturday by "going green!"
- stories by Grace Birch and Kerr Grabowski

Come early -  rain or shine - to get your pick of bowls by some of the region's top potters and you'll get treated to tastes of gourmet soups in participating Old Town shops during the Second Saturday Artwalk!
- story by Grace Birch/Ellis Anderson, photos by Ellis Anderson

What better Valentine date than to spend the day in Old Town on Second Saturday?  It's lively all day, music and gallery openings from 4 - 8pm.  Celebrate Hot Spots Smith & Lens Gallery (106 S. Second Street) and Trapani's Eatery (116 North Beach)
- story by Ana Balka, photos by Ellis Anderson, Ana Balka