Second Saturday - July 2015

Frida Fest

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Bay St. Louis fans of the legendary Mexican artist Frida Kahlo celebrate what would have been her 108th birthday with “Frida Fest" during the July Second Saturday Artwalk!
- story and photography by Ellis Anderson

Expect a fiesta flair to the Second Saturday Artwalk, on July 11th, as Bay St. Louis fans of the legendary Mexican artist Frida Kahlo celebrate what would have been her 108th birthday with “Frida Fest.”

Kahlo’s actual date of birth was July 6th 1907, but organizers believe that the artwalk is the perfect occasion to honor the iconic artist, while spicing up the regular Second Saturday happenings.  As always, special events, live music and gallery openings will take place from 4pm – 8pm throughout Old Town.

Second Saturday Column
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More Second Saturday Happenings!

The Frida theme is the brain-child of Cleaver sponsors Smith & Lens Gallery (106 South Second Street) owners Sandy Maggio and Ann Madden.   They ran the idea by the Old Town Merchant’s Association and received enthusiastic support.

“The town’s going to turn into a little Mexico for the evening,” says Madden.  “We hope everyone will come out and celebrate this incredible artist in a fun and unique fashion.”

Fashion is the operative word, since attendees to the July Second Saturday are encouraged to wear Mexican attire.  Frida look-a-likes can enter a costume contest taking place at 7:30pm in front of the Mockingbird and Smith & Lens gallery in the 100 block of South Second Street.

According to Madden, other planned activities include a “unibrow on a stick” photo opportunities, a open “loteria” game (Mexican Bingo), and demonstrations of traditional Mexican music and dance.  At least two Old Town restaurants will serve Mexican food for the evening (The Starfish Café and the Mockingbird Café). 

In time-honored tradition, two Old Town businesses take the spotlight each Second Saturday and July is no exception.  The “Hot Spots” for July are Time After Time (112 S. Second Street, inside Bay Emporium) and 200 North Beach Restaurant (200 North Beach). 

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Time After Time
112 North Second Street, inside Bay Emporium

During Second Saturday, Time After Time will be offering 20% off on all furniture and be serving finger foods and refreshments.  The Pohl Family Band will be performing on the steps of Bay Emporium from 5pm – 7:30pm.  

Near the intersection of Main and Second Streets, a historic town landmark has been brought back to former glory.  Bay Emporium (112 South Second Street) houses thirteen different shops under one roof – offering from antiques to art.   It's hardly the typical antique mall. 

Time After Time is located just inside the building’s entrance and sets the tone for the unique variety found in the rest of Bay Emporium.  The shop specializes in collectibles and antiques -  ranging from glassware, quilts and pottery to primitives and fine furniture.   The store is also the town’s exclusive purveyor of Swan Creek Candles.

Owner Pat Inglis explains that the shop’s selection changes out frequently since sales are brisk.  She names three reasons for this:  selection, pricing and condition. 

Pat has built her reputation as an antiques dealer by seeking out the unusual.  She was bitten by the antiques bug decades ago while she built her career as a restaurant manager in North Carolina.  For fun, she would attend weekend auctions.  Eventually, she began reselling her finds at outdoor markets.  Soon, owners of area antique stores would be waiting in line for her to open in the mornings.

“I realized they were buying my finds and then reselling them at a big profit at their own stores,” says Pat.  “I realized I needed to learn more about the things I was selling.”

Learn she has.  And she’s continued to hone her antique hunting skills through the years - the displays in Time After Time reflect her eye for the extraordinary.  But while her knowledge has grown by leaps and bounds, her prices haven’t.  She still passes on good deals, which has helped build a loyal and growing customer base.

 “I don’t care how much a book says something is worth, it’s only worth what someone will pay for it,” says Pat.  “Most people comment favorably on my prices.  It’s one reason they keep coming back.”

Time After Time’s furniture offerings are another reason for her success.  Pat works with  expert craftsmen who restore and refinish Pat’s finds, making them even more of a value. 

Pat first “discovered” Bay St. Louis in 2002 while exploring the Gulf Coast.  “I passed over that Bay bridge and just had the most peaceful feeling.”   Pat and her husband, David, met at a North Carolina auction decades ago.  Pat had been a widow for several years when the two friends reconnected.  Eventually a romance blossomed.  

David relocated to the coast and the couple married in 2008.   “When we first got together, I told him I’m not getting married and I’m not leaving Mississippi,” says Pat, laughing.  “But I’m still determined about the Mississippi part.” 

Like thousands of others on the coast, Hurricane Katrina wrecked their home and sidetracked their lives in 2005.  Pat worked for a local hardware company for the next five years.  However, the antiques business still beckoned.  She began with a few booths in local markets, then made the leap to Bay Emporium three years ago.  It’s been a happy and prosperous matching.

“Customers love the Bay Emporium building  and they love the selection of merchandise inside,” says Pat.  “They really seem to appreciate the style of Time After Time, as well as my pricing.  That makes my head swell just a little bit.”

But more than profit and pride fuel her passion.

“The most wonderful thing about this business is the way certain items will spark fond recollections for people,” she says.  “They’ll say, oh, my grandmother had one just like that!  Or that reminds me of one my mom had.  It’s like you’re selling good memories.”

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200 North Beach Restaurant

200 North Beach Restaurant opened in the fall of 2011 and in just four years, it’s become known as a classic Gulf Coast eatery.  Diners drive from across the region to feast on the likes of Crab-Stuffed Shrimp, Lemon Grilled Trout, and New York Strip Steak with Crawfish Etoufee Hollandaise sauce.  

Open for both lunch and dinner, specials served throughout the week (including the weekends) lure locals on a regular basis.  During happy hour, drink specials and fifty cent oysters on the half shell (during season) keep the restaurant humming throughout the late afternoon and through the dinner hours.

Owner Ann Tidwell believes the popularity of the restaurant is mostly due to word of mouth. 

“We have a lot of people now from across the coast coming in,” says Tidwell.  “And places like Baton Rouge, Hattiesburg, and beyond.  In fact, we’ve had customers from almost every state.  So many of them were referred by friends who have eaten here, so that’s very satisfying.”

200 North Beach made history when it opened in 2011 as the first restaurant to reopen on the beachfront since Hurricane Katrina devastated the city.  The historic building that serves as the restaurant’s home is a storm survivor and one of the oldest buildings on the Hancock County coastline. 

Built in 1903 to house the offices of the Seacoast Echo newspaper, the beautifully renovated building features an expansive dining room and traditional bar downstairs. 

Ann Tidwell

Upstairs, there are private rooms that can be reserved for parties or meetings, complete with another service bar.  The wrought iron balcony overlooks the coastline and boasts a striking view of the Bay Bridge.   Outside, at tables on the “banquette,” diners can enjoy the gulf breezes and watch passerbys while enjoying meals and cocktails. 

“Miss Ann” made her mark as a businesswoman in Bay St. Louis as the original owner of the Bay Town Inn.  National magazine and travel writers often featured the historic house turned B&B, noted for its savory breakfasts and classic rooms. 

Although Tidwell sold the Bay Town Inn over a decade ago, she’s continued to restore Old Town’s historic treasures and open new businesses.  200 North Beach is her first restaurant venture and like everything else she touches, it’s developed a name for quality.

“It’s a welcoming restaurant where people can share good times and a great meal with family or friends, whether you’re dressed up or down,” says Miss Ann. “It’s exciting to see it become a coast tradition, a place where generations of families always feel at home.”

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Other Second Saturday Happenings!

Antique Maison Ulman Tearoom  - 317 Ulman Ave. 
Monthly auction this Saturday (normally held on first Saturdays).  Preview at 4pm, auction begins at 6pm.  Food and drinks available. 

Bay Books - 131 Main Street - Justin A. Nystrom, author of New Orleans after the Civil War will be at Bay Books signing his book on Saturday, July 11th from 5:00-7:00.

Bay Emporium - 112 S. Second Street
"The Endless Summer!"  New rooms full of antiques, gifts, art, clothes, and home decor.  Dr von Walrod of "Steampunk Curiosities" continues to amaze and astound with his unique creations, "In 2 Details" has expanded its awesome attention to the coastal lifestyle, "Boesch and Co." always brings style to salvage, "Voila!" also expands the line of French inspired goods, furniture and accessories, "Charbonnet and Charbonnet" offers reclaimed architectural doors, windows, and other components, "Paper Moon" features mixed media art and jewelry, and "Armoire Noir" puts on its summer wardrobe adding a selection of men's attire in a second room. All this and more awaits you at Bay Emporium in thirteen shops full of summer surprises in the heart of Old Town.

Bay Life Gifts - 111 Main
This exciting new shop and gallery has gifts and art  for everyone including Crabtree Evelyn products, Caspari napkins & placemats and Tervis Cups and Crestview lamps. Also at Bay Life  you will find Mississippi products like Oxford soy candles, Thimblepress Greeting cards, and AO Jewelry. Featured local regional artists include the popular Tehle McGuffee's coastal art as well as Tracy Steiffel's  hand- painted pillows , Lisa Hymel's seaglass artwork and Shirley Kautz's colorful bouy's .  And each Second Saturday serving our refreshing Bay Punch!

Bonner Collection - 108 South Beach Blvd., Suite D
Visit the Bonner Collection to see our new Summer home decor, gifts, jewelry, art arriving almost daily. Would love to see you and enjoy some refreshments. Cheers!

California Drawstrings -  216 Main Street -
New summer fashions have arrived including Flax and Matchpoint!

Gallery 220 - 220 Main Street
Always one of the liveliest places during the Artwalk, this co-op features work by more than 20 artists (who are usually there, which accounts for the liveliness!), refreshments and live music.  To celebrate Frida Fest, a WPA period-themed mural will be painted on the side of the building!  Also, Frida-themed art.  Featured artists are Amy Kramer and Spencer Gray!

Flair - Inside Bay Emporium -112 South Second St.
Huge shipments of the wildly popular Mad Mats indoor/outdoor rugs continue to arrive at Flair, where you'll find dozens of these no-fade, no-stain rugs in a wide assortment of sizes, colors and patterns. As durable as they are stylish, Mad Mats are pet, child, dirt and sun-friendly and virtually maintenance free--just rinse them with a garden hose!

George’s Girls - 108 S. Beach Blvd. Ste B, (inside the French Settlement building).
Purveyors of Fine Linens.  George`s Girls has you covered  for the back to school season! The Spartina Day Planner will keep you organized all year long! Our FacePlant pillow cases can cozy up any dorm room and make it your own, and don`t forget about our Yala tops are perfect for comfy class days!  Come see us today!

Magnolia Antiques, 200 Main Street.  If you haven't seen the totally rearranged shop, it's definitely worth a stop! We have completely turned it around.  And of course, we'll offer snacks and bargains!!

The Mockingbird Cafe - 110 S. Second Street
Live music by Blue Magnolias during Second Saturday/Frida Fest.  New works by artists Kat Fitzpatrick, Thomas Jackson, Marsha Prejean, Tim Waldrop, Barbara Speer and J.J. Foley. Delicious beers are on tap to pair with the ever popular Mockingburger (veggie or meat lover's). 

Serious Bread Bakery - 131 Main Street, Suite D - Along with signature artisan breads, flatbreads and sweet things, you can also try pesto, hummus and our special tomato sandwiches.  As always, we offer samples of our baked goods.

Social Chair - 201 Main Street - Free Fans for Frida Fest at Social Chair!  Stop in to cool off, free fan with purchase of $10 or more. We've ordered custom BSL Frida merchandise just for this event. You know that we love a good party!

Something Special  - 207 Main Street - houses 1,200 sq feet of antique, vintage and repurposed items while representing the work of 22 local artisans. Stop by to find "your" something special!

Time After Time Antiques (Inside Bay Emporium), 112 S. Second St.
The July Hot Spot!  Offering a unique array of antiques, furniture from different eras, collectibles, and home decor.  Between the hours of 4PM and 8PM we offer 20% off furniture.  Our selection has almost completely changed for this month.  Business has been great and we have added many items for you inspection. New shipments of Pottery Candles, Melts and Wax Melters have arrived with more on the way with new fragrance offerings!  Hope to see you soon.

Twin Light Creations- 136 Main Street  It’s summer!  Great time to come enjoy Old Town.  This Second Saturday is right in the middle of all of the festivals.  New arrivals daily will give a good selection for your secret garden space.  Come enjoy the elements of nature and take a little of the “Light” with you!  And yes, contrary to the rumors, we are still open!  You must see for yourself.

The Ugly Pirate - 144 DeMontluzin St.    - Come to a family and pet friendly place to enjoy great Pizza, Gyros and more. We have 16 Craft Beers, as well as various bottled beer.  Friday is Family night so children 12 and under get a free small cheese or pepperoni pizza when the adults eat in as well.  Live music every Saturday night beginning at 6 PM.  We are family and pet friendly, so bring the dogs, and kids to have a fun time together at the Pirate.  Follow us on Facebook to see what our specials an entertainment will be each week