Second Saturday Art Walk - September 2019

Saturday, September 14

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!

Be sure to check out "Hot Spots" Antique Maison (111 North 2nd Street) and Daquiri Shak (112 Court Street). Read more about these featured businesses below! 
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- stories by Caroline St. Paul, photos by Caroline St. Paul and Ellis Anderson

Over the past twenty-six years, the monthly art walk 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 4 pm to 8 pm, when gallery openings and live music keep the streets humming with activity. ​
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This Second Saturday Artwalk column
is sponsored by

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Antique Maison
111 North Second Street 
Bay St. Louis​
(228) 466-4848
Website
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Forget everything you thought you knew about antiquing and prepare for a unique experience at Antique Maison on 2nd Street. It is a struggle to figure out a way to describe the place; simply calling it an antique store seems inadequate. Is it a gallery? A market? A bazaar? The answer is yes – it is all of the above, and then some.

Originally opened in 2006 by Sylvia and Ed Young, Antique Maison is a veritable smorgasbord of treasures. Shoppers should prepare themselves to see things that haven’t crossed their mind in years and for the memories of that item to come rushing back. Vintage postcards, books, toys, tools, original arts and crafts, gloriously beautiful furniture from bygone eras, crystal, vintage handbags ($25 Dooney and Bourke, ladies?), jewelry, religious gifts, pre-seasoned cast iron (by a chef, no less), tools and vinyl are just a few of THOUSANDS of things to enjoy.

In speaking with the management team, Missy Geisel and Anne Mann, it is clear that love and hard work is what has made Antique Maison such a success. They are extremely complimentary of each other, with one often crediting the other for things they’ve learned. One thing is for certain, though – they have the utmost respect for Ed and Sylvia, who have put all of their devotion into their businesses and to each other. We were not able to catch up with Ed and Sylvia for this article due to Sylvia’s recent health issues. She has suffered multiple strokes over the course of a few months, so they’ve decided it would be best to close the Antique Maison location on Ullman Avenue as the Youngs adjust to the new normal. Meanwhile, Sylvia’s health is improving, and cards and visitors are welcome.

Allow a minimum of an hour to go through Antique Maison, and pace yourself. Anne can give you an amazing tour and can tell you about every artist and dealer at each of the 40 booths. It was clear from our walk-through that there is a piece of her heart in each booth, and she enjoys the environment as much as she does introducing it to others. It is truly worth a visit – you will learn something new and revisit the warmest, most beautiful memories from your past as you remember the last time you saw your grandmother’s sewing tin or the old license plates nailed to the walls of your great uncle’s garage. Every piece in every booth has been expertly curated and brought to Old Town Bay St. Louis for you to enjoy.

To experience the eclectic and nostalgic magic of Antique Maison, pay them a visit at 111 North Second Street. They are open 7 days a week 10-5. Be sure and stop by during Second Saturday on September 14 and enjoy the music while you browse!
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Daquiri Shak
112 Court Street 
Bay St. Louis​
(228) 344-3440
Website

Cool down at the Old Town Merchants Association’s September Hot Spot, Daiquiri Shak! Co-owned by New Orleans transplants Rhonda and Gus Bridges and their daughter and son-in-law, Carrie and Caleb McQueen, this little Court Street oasis boasts fourteen daiquiri machines and infinite flavor combinations, including their own special family recipes. These frozen concoctions will indeed help you hang onto the last few weeks of summer, but they will keep the party going throughout all seasons, with limited-time promotions, such as the Pumpkin Spice White Russian, which is scheduled for release in October.

The shop is quaint and small, located inside a converted home. It has a beautifully finished bar and tables. Comfortable living-room style seating in the very front of the shop complete with tropical plants and throw pillows beckons customers to come sit, relax and enjoy their frozen treat and just be present and breathe. It is relaxing respite from the everyday, and Rhonda makes you feel as if you are in her home for a visit with a trusted friend. That atmosphere is truly a reflection of Rhonda’s frame of mind.

When we asked what she likes the most about running the business, she smiled and enthusiastically replied that she is doing what she does as a retiree therefore, everything is a matter of choosing to do what she loves every day around the people she loves the most.

Approaching her business as a matter of love has paid off. Rhonda and family are proud to announce that they will be breaking ground on a new location in the near future. Although they are in the early stages of planning, they will be building a new place directly across from the Purple Banana. They are looking forward to being closer to the water and welcoming people to a beautiful front porch where they can enjoy the beauty of Beach Boulevard in addition to a daiquiri.

In the meantime, Daiquiri Shak is open 11 am - 8 pm Sunday through Thursday, and 11 am - 11 pm on Friday and Saturday. Be sure and stop by on September 14 to enjoy the live music. Maybe you can even put your creativity to the test and come up with a new and inventive flavor combination!