Second Saturday Artwalk - May 2019

Saturday, May 11

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" Bay Books (131 Main Street) and Creole Creamery (209 Main 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-three 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. ​
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This Second Saturday Artwalk column
is sponsored by

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Owner Jeremy Burke stands outside Bay Books, one of the hotspots for May's Second Saturday.

Bay Books
131 Main Street 
Bay St. Louis ​
228.463.2688
Website

Bay Books, located on Main Street, is the quintessential small-town book store. That is just what owner, Jeremy Burke, wanted to open in Old Town.
 
Burke and his wife purchased the store in 2011. He recalls, “When we found out it was for sale, we knew we just had to buy it because we didn’t want our community, or county, without an independent bookstore.”

Bay Books hosts author signings on a regular basis.

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Unlike large chain and online bookstores, at Bay Books there is a real sense of community and personalized service. The most satisfying aspect of owning the bookstore is “being an asset to the community.” He maintains a good relationship with the local schools, and he ensures that the store carries the books that the students need.
 
Children’s literacy played a large part in inspiring Burke to open Bay Books. “Literacy is an important issue for us, especially children’s literacy,” he said. After opening, his first order of business was expanding the children’s section. There, you will find options for newborns to teenagers.
 
Another best-selling category are the local books. Burke strives to “stock as many local books, as well as local authors, as we can.” You will find independent and self-published authors here as well. “We want to be able to have something that nobody else has.”
 

Story time at Bay Books.

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Also available in this charming shop located on “Main Street USA” are local history books and used books at affordable prices. For the upcoming summer months, you will find required summer reading for students, as well as enjoyable, light-hearted summer reads for the beach.
 
Burke holds a book-signing every Second Saturday. On May 11, come meet author Shelby Harriel, who will be signing copies of her book, “Behind the Rifle: Women Soldiers in Civil War Mississippi”. Enjoy live music sponsored by The People’s Bank, Hancock Whitney Bank and The First.
 
Burke’s customer service and dedication to his customers is incredible. Make sure to visit his quaint shop and find your next great read! 

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Creole Creamery
209 Main Street 
Bay St. Louis ​
228.363.2881
Website

Everyone loves ice cream! Experience New Orleans flavor at Creole Creamery on the Bay. The happy little ice cream shop was opened by Jim MacPhaille just in time for Cruisin’ the Coast in October, 2018. MacPhaille chose to open a location in Bay St. Louis, as he saw it as a great spot that is growing every day.
 
Located on Prytania Street in New Orleans, The Creole Creamery has become an iconic part of the city. Now, this New Orleans favorite can be experienced in Old Town, as the ice cream is homemade and shipped into town every Friday. The interior of the shop was also purposely designed to resemble the popular spot in New Orleans.
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Pink and white checkered floors and the smell of freshly made waffle cones welcome you into the shop, where you’ll be greeted by manager, Hannah McRainey, or another delightful employee.
 
Taste some of their best sellers, Black & Gold Crunch, Cookie Monster, Creole Cream Cheese, or Lavender Honey. You will not be disappointed in the unique flavors here, with options changing with the seasons.
 
Hannah’s favorite part about managing the shop is “interacting with people and the kids” as well as the tourists, and answering any questions they have. “We’ve been here for a short amount of time, but we have a lot of regulars, and I look forward to seeing them,” she says. “Who can be mad in an ice cream shop?” You are guaranteed to walk out of The Creole Creamery happy and satisfied.
 

The shop's hours are currently 1 pm-9 pm Monday through Thursday; 1 pm-10 pm Friday; noon-10 pm Saturday, and noon-9 pm Sunday, with extended hours for the summer months. Visit today and experience delicious ice cream at Creole Creamery on the Bay!
 
Entertainment for May 11 Second Saturday Art Walk is sponsored by Hancock/Whitney Bank, The People’s Bank, and The First. Enjoy them as a hot spot all month.