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Second Saturday - July 2018
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​- stories by Grace Wilson
​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. ​ This specially themed Second Saturday artwalk in July - Frida Fest - celebrates the birthday of iconic artist Frida Kahlo with an extraordinary costume contest and a fiesta of other special happenings! This event has quickly become one of the absolutely do-not-miss annual celebrations on the coast. ​
Be sure to visit Hot Spot businesses Bodega Sales and Rentals (111 Court Street) and Manieri Real Estate (501 Main Street) Read more about these Old Town businesses below.
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This Second Saturday column is sponsored by |
Bodega Spirits & Liquor
111 Court St.
​ Bay St Louis, MS 39520
Located in the same building as Bodega Adventure Rentals and Sales and the Parrot Head Bar and Grill, Bodega Spirits & Liquor has brands you want and prices you’ll like at a convenient location.
“We picked out our own favorites,” said owner Kevin Jordan. “If you are a regular and you want something we’ll get it.”
Jordan knows his spirits and wine. His family owns a vineyard in California that sells grapes to some of the most popular labels in the United States.
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Look for an upcoming schedule of classes and tastings.
Larry Main is often behind the counter at Bodega Spirits and Liquor to impart his knowledge of wines, liquors and - if needed - local fishing spots.
Truly a one-stop-shop, everything a vacationer or local could need for an afternoon of fun and food is under one roof. Bodega Liquor Spirits is also pet-friendly and Main has a stock of doggy treats and also features local pet celebrities on Bodega’s social media channels.
There are discounts for purchases by the case, and Bodega Liquor and Spirits also has a wholesale license, so they can deliver wine and spirits to local businesses.
Manieri Real Estate
501 Main St.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
228-216-5750
The family has been in business in Bay St. Louis, in one form or another, since the 1870s. Manieri’s Restaurant was once known as one of the oldest businesses in town.
"Our roots are in the restaurant business, but at our core we are hospitality through and through," said Joey Manieri.
As a native of this area, 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.
Their team has been meeting real estate needs for over 25 years. From sales to vacation rentals and property management, Manieri Real Estate, LLC is a one-stop-shop in Bay St. Louis.
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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. But Manieri remembers a time before Katrina when there was barely an empty lot to build on.
“We are certainly coming back faster than after Camille. I was 16 years old and lived a block off the beach, as I do now,” said Manieri. “Believe it or not, there are still people out there who are waiting for the right time to come back.”
In the meantime, Manieri has seen lots of new people discovering the Bay.
“We have a unique thing in Bay St. Louis that people don’t come across in other vacation spots,” he said. “We’ve got an easier lifestyle, It’s more laid back, and we don’t have the traffic the bigger beach cities have. People are beginning to find out more and more about that.”
Manieri takes pride that his agency - comprised of him, his wife and two other agents - works on a different philosophy than bigger franchises.
“We are consultants, troubleshooters and problem solvers,” said Manieri. “Most people don’t realize what a good agent will do because much of it is behind the scenes.”
The agency runs dozens of vacation rentals and features about 30 long-term rentals, so whether someone is looking for a quick getaway to the Bay or a second home, Manieri Real Estate is a team - and a name - you can trust. ​