Crane Builders LLC Celebrates New Office Opening and Expansion

Partner Spotlight - June 2024

Jackye Crane’s well-respected construction business owes its success to the hard work and vision of its owner – with a little kismet thrown in.
 
- by Kim Ranjbar

 Jackye Crane, owner of Crane Builders LLC, has taken a significant next step in her company’s journey with the purchase, renovation, and launch of their new office in Bay St. Louis. They recently celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1247 Highway 90, the space that formerly housed the Rusty Zebra.
 

​Jackye Crane shared, “The opportunity arose where we could buy a building and make it our own, and we did! It was like the stars aligned!” The serendipitous moment occurred while shopping at the Rusty Zebra. After a conversation with the owners, who were looking to sell, Crane seized the opportunity. “Before we got home from that day of shopping, we called and said we were interested.”
 

 
The new building is significantly larger, offering 3,600 square feet including a retail space, office area, storage, and an upcoming showroom. This move marks a substantial upgrade from the 1,200 square feet they previously leased in Magnolia Plaza. Crane Builders is also in the process of constructing a warehouse behind the new office, thereby centralizing all operations. “Everything can be all in one place!” Crane exclaimed.
 
Founded nearly fifty years ago by Jimmy Crane, Crane Builders has erected a name that has become synonymous with excellence within the industry over the past four decades. Currently owned and operated by Jackye Crane, Jimmy’s daughter, the company has been annually recognized as “Best in Show” in the state due to its construction of award-winning homes and painstaking renovations of historic properties.
 

 
In addition to the business expansion, Jackye Crane and her company’s office manager, Taylor Santiago Favre, have partnered to launch a new retail store conveniently located in the same cobalt blue building on Highway 90. Lollie + pop: a children's shoppe opened in the spring, offering children’s clothes, shoes, accessories and more. For Jackye, partnering in the children’s boutique is an enjoyable offshoot, but her focus ardently remains on operations at Crane Builders LLC.

 
Over the past several years, Jackye has added interior design to her already extensive home-building knowledge, enrolling in online classes to offer a creative dimension to the services at Crane Builders. “I’ve been using my interior design skills on a couple of projects, and I’m very excited about it,” she said. “I’m also taking another class on color.” However, Crane admits to having a favorite hue. “My problem is I tend to get stuck. I trend towards blue… as you can see in our logo!” laughs Crane. “I’m trying to break the cycle.”
 

​On a personal note, Crane balances her professional endeavors with her family life. Her seven-year-old son, Andrew, is passionate about baseball, while her five-year-old daughter, Amelia, loves dance. Also, the Crane family’s canine members have increased to five, including a black Labrador Retriever mix named Jackye. “I kept seeing posts, and no one was adopting her,” she explains. “I couldn’t let Jackye, especially a black Lab named Jackye, sit in a rescue.” Naturally, Crane officially changed the pup’s name to be spelled exactly like her own.
 
The excitement at Crane Builders LLC extends to their current projects, including a new build in Pass Christian. One of the owners, an interior decorator, is bringing her vision to life. “I’m excited to see how she finishes the house,” admits Jackye.

 
Another project still in the pricing phase involves creating a unique she-shed. This cozy space, under 500 square feet, will feature vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, and ample windows, enhancing the property’s charm.
 
With the new office, retail store, and ongoing projects, Jackye Crane and Crane Builders LLC are poised for a bright future, bringing innovative designs and exceptional craftsmanship to the Gulf South.
​

---

Enjoy this feature?