Be sure to visit Hot Spot businesses Antique Maison Ulman and Tea Room, Garden, 317 Ulman Avenue and Green Canyon Outfitters, 108 South Beach Blvd.
- stories by Denise Jacobs, photos by Ellis Anderson and Denise Jacobs
The “Souper Mudfest Second Saturday" - one of the most popular events of the year in Bay St. Louis - will take place March 10th, rain or shine.
Bowls handcrafted by local potters are sold for $20 each. Bowl-buyers are provided with a list of local merchants where they’ll be able to sample gourmet soups throughout the evening - for free!
One highlight of every Second Saturday Artwalk are the monthly "Hot Spots," This month the spotlight falls on Antique Maison Ulman and Tea Room, Garden, 317 Ulman Avenue and Green Canyon Outfitters, 108 South Beach Blvd.
|
The Second Saturday column is sponsored by |
Antique Maison Ulman and Tea Room & Garden
317 Ulman Ave.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
228.344.3128
In July 2014, Sylvia and Ed Young opened the Antique Maison Ulman and Tea Room on 317 Ulman Ave. The Ulman branch of Antique Maison (on Second Street) is managed by Missy Geisel and is an ideal place for private events like showers, graduation parties, and wedding receptions.
Once owners of a business on the 2000 block of Magazine Street, the Youngs relocated to Bay St. Louis in 1990. A year later, they opened a tuxedo, bridal, and costume shop on Second Street. After Hurricane Katrina wrecked its havoc on the Second Street building, Sylvia and Ed renovated and reopened it as an antique store—Antique Maison.
The Antique Maison Ulman and Tea Room came later, as did Sylvia’s latest vision—an outdoor garden. In the center of the garden stands the Heavenly Tea Garden Tree, an historical tree dedicated by Father Jim of St. Augustine Seminary located next to the store.
In addition to two tea rooms, one private with seating up to twenty, the expansive main dining room which holds thirty-five, and the garden and deck area, which adds seating for thirty-five, is the store itself. The Ulman branch of Antique Maison features three large display rooms housing antiques, nostalgia, and vintage in quality furniture, home décor, art, collectables, jewelry, china, and crystal.
Sylvia delights in operating the Ulman site. She explains that many of her customers are just passing through. Some are visiting. Some are lost. Some just got off the highway and found themselves at the store.
“I always play tour guide,” she says. “I take out the map and tell folks where things are, where to eat, and so forth.” Sylvia notes that her first-time customers often fall in love with Bay St Louis. Sometimes they mention buying a house, and she calls upon her 35 years in real estate to give them information.
The Antique Maison Ulman and Tea Room is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Tearoom offers a wide assortment of hot and cold teas, iced and hot coffees, soft drinks, and desserts. High Tea Windsor is offered, as well, by reservation only. Reservations are requested 48 hours in advance.
Whether you are a frequent visitor, a newbie to Bay St. Louis, or have lived here all your life, do stop by on Second Saturday, March 10, between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Sylvia and Missy will be serving soups from the High Tea menu to those with proof of Mudfest purchase along with samples from the High Tea menu.
Green Canyon Outfitters
108 S. Beach Blvd.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39502
228.344.3108
Brennan, a Waveland native, elaborates: “When I was at St. Stanislaus just before the Katrina era, I would have to drive to Gulfport or Biloxi to get what I needed. So, when I opened Green Canyon Outfitters, I said I would have access to things I couldn’t get before. I didn’t go into the business thinking I would become a millionaire, but if you can keep it alive and rolling to give back, that’s the point.”
Green Canyon Outfitters specializes in high-end, affordable outdoor apparel and accessories. As might be expected, most of the business comes from locals, including St. Stanislaus students, between March and July.
Brennan is happy to report, though, that many repeat out-of-state customers make yearly trips to the store. “From the beginning,” he explains, “I wanted to make sure that the customer-service experience exceeded the customer’s expectations.”
Indeed, the online reviews of the store are all positive and range from “Great company with an amazing selection of products to choose from,” to “Pricing is great, and customer service was outstanding,” to “This is the go-to place for cool outdoorsy styles.” Brennan likes to say that the store focuses on Southern hospitality. “We’re friendly,” he says.
This includes the Parks Project and tentree clothing lines. For each Parks Project item purchased, a percentage of proceeds from the sale goes to one of over 30 conservancies across the United States to provide funding for national parks. For every item purchased at tentree, ten trees are planted. This is the sort of thing that excites Brennan, who explains the allure.
“Not only are you buying something; you’re buying some thing,” he says. Other, more mainstream products include Patagonia, Hard Tail, Royal Robbins, and a line of sunglasses to die for: Maui Jim, Olukai, Ray Ban, and Shwood.
Brennan graduated from Ole Miss with a degree in exercise and physiology with an emphasis on pre-medical studies, but he had this idea for the store, and he just wanted to try it.
“A lot of people have ideas,” Brennan explains, “and I thought to myself, well, why not just do it? If it fails tomorrow, I will still be young enough to try something else.” Admirable courage.
Stop by the Green Canyon Outfitters on Second Saturday, March 10, between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., for special Hot Spot sale items. Stock up on your favorites. Feel good about yourself in the process.