Nikki Moon's story of creating a successful B&B despite unimaginable obstacles is featured in a segment on PBS's popular "Start Up" series - and it's now available to stream.
- story by Ellis Anderson
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Now that the episode has been made available on the Internet, it's gained a whole new audience. Moon says "the phone has been ringing off the hook" with people calling to congratulate her.
In the interview, Moon discussed her first career in sales. When asked by host Bredow what she sold, her response: "A very strange commodity; I sold New Orleans." The former tourism director of sales explained that she worked for the city's tourism division from 1979 until 2013. Moon left the job the first time in 2003 when she purchased a historic bed-and-breakfast on the beachfront in Bay St. Louis. Two years later, Hurricane Katrina destroyed the inn and nearly took her life. The interview follows her through the trials and tragedy that followed, which led to her eventually rebuilding a new Bay Town Inn on the site of the former one. Moon has obviously not forgotten her original career. In the interview, she touted Bay St. Louis as being a charming arts community by the water with great restaurants and boutique shopping. She also lauded the town's walkability and safety. The Bay's Historic District earned high marks too - the inn is located within the district and the city's Historic Commission had oversight of the new inn's design. "It [the Historic District] is a great thing, because it keeps everything with the right look." When Bredow asked Moon to name the hardest thing about working for herself, she said it's the fact there's nobody to blame when she makes a mistake. The best? The rewarding feelings she has making travelers' experience in Bay St. Louis a positive one. Moon's final advice to those contemplating starting their own businesses? "Just do it!" she said.
A legendary blues hall changes hands in Bay St. Louis, but the new owners will carry on the previous owners' dream of creating a community hub.
- story and photos by Ellis Anderson
When former owners Jesse and Kerrie Loya bought 100 Men Hall (303 Union Street) in 2006, they saved the derelict building from certain post-Katrina demolition. The couple added on a spacious living area and moved in with their family.
Continuing the rehab, the Loyas reopened the hall as a music and event venue in 2010. The building had come full circle. In the mid-1900s, 100 Men Hall had been a rocking stop for blues performers like BB King, Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry and James Brown. Under the Loyas’ stewardship, the hall has hosted everything from weddings to Cajun dance parties in the past eight years.
The building’s fascinating history was a major part of the allure for Rachel Dangermond, who is a writer, consultant and experienced community facilitator. After visiting Bay St. Louis several times for solo writing retreats, the New Orleans native began considering relocation to the coast. The Bay seemed an idyllic place for her nine-year-old son to grow up.
And the peaceful setting would provide the perfect backdrop for the writers’ workshop side of her career that she planned to expand. She’d been facilitating the memoir-writing workshops in her home for years, yet wanted to offer them more frequently and in a more formal setting. A coast friend who knew about Dangermond’s plans sent her information on 100 Men Hall when it came up for sale. The writer filed it away until, after a trying day, she pulled up the link to the hall’s for-sale page. She called immediately for a showing.
“We walked in and said ‘This is it! This is where I can have workshops, facilitate, have pop-ups for artists,’” said the writer recalling her first viewing. “The rest was just details. From the moment I made that decision, people have come out of the woodwork to help make this possible.”
The hall’s listing agent, Holly Lemoine-Ramond, noted that the sale itself was seamless. “We had lots of interest, but this was meant to be. When we all met for the first time, there was an instant connection. While Kerry and Jesse knew they couldn’t choose who bought their place, it was wonderful to have a purchaser carrying on with the same basic concept.” Real estate agent Matt Stieffel has been friends with Dangermond for two years and represented her in the sale. “I’m very excited for Rachel and her exciting new chapter resurrecting 100 Men Hall,” Stieffel said. “Bay St. Louis is lucky to have her as a resident and proprietor for such an iconic piece of our history.”
Even though Dangermond and her son are still unpacking, she says she’ll be ready to host a workshop forMississippi Heritage Trust (MHT), August 8 – 10. MHT’s director, Lolly Rash, had originally contacted the Loyas about hosting the event. Dangermond decided to dive right in after discussing the transition with Rash.
Ironically, the workshop focuses on financing and tax credits for historic buildings that are used for businesses. “I’m going to participate too because I need to know these things,” said Dangermond.
Although her business partner, son Tin, may be watching cartoons instead of attending the historic workshop, he’s still excited about learning the ropes of running an event venue at 100 Men Hall.
“We’re going to split the money,” Tin said, during the Shoofly Magazine photo session. “He’s the hundred-and-first man,” said Dangermond, laughing. “If nothing else [comes out of this venture], he’s going to learn the skills of running a business.” Between unpacking boxes and getting Tin ready to start school, the writer is still finding a bit of time to appreciate her new community. She mentioned several helpful neighbors and new friends helping to smooth the big transition. “I’m so thrilled to be in Bay St. Louis,” she said. “The first day I spent in the hall, I took a long walk on the beach. It felt like trumpets were blowing.”
Click below for more information and to register for the free Mississippi Heritage Trust workshop at 100 Men Hall, August 8 -10, 2018. Space is limited, so reserve now!
Award-winning chef David Dickensauge of C&C's Italian Bistro will open the Ugly Carrot this summer - an artisan juice bar with fresh local produce and meals to go.
- story by Lisa Monti, photos courtesy David Dickensauge
Working with the chef in the new juice bar will be Jeff Jordan, who just stepped down as head football coach at St. Stanislaus. Jordan, who played football at LSU, has experience in strength and conditioning and can help customers with creating healthy eating plans and healthy, tasty juices.
Dickensauge will use his connections with about 15 farmers who sell to C&C Italian Bistro, his sustainable restaurant at 111 Main St., to stock The Ugly Carrot.
Shoppers at the Ugly Carrot will be able to buy eggs, cheese, butter and milk along with fresh produce including tomatoes, lettuce, squash from local farms in Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama, along with prepared foods. Customers also can preorder items for pick up.
“We’ll have vegan and vegetarian to-go salads and sandwiches made in the restaurant,” he said. Everything will be all plant based, with no meat in sight. Among the sources will be the highly regarded Covey Rise Farms in Louisiana and renowned The Chef’s Garden. “I’m a big activist for sustainable, local products,” Dickensauge said. “I have to know where my produce is coming from.” Dickensauge calls The Ugly Carrot “a cool concept” that’s a perfect fit for Old Town Bay St. Louis. “It’s not just a juice bar. It’s the missing niche here.”
Expect a comfortable atmosphere, premium wines and gourmet cheeses when Central Station Bistro opens soon. Owner Janice Hall gives us a sneak peak.
- by Lisa Monti, from Lisa Monti's Notebook
Located a few blocks from Old Town, the Bistro is the Halls’ retirement project. Jim retired from the industrial demolition and development industry; Janice is a fine arts photographer and interior designer. They moved to the Bay from Palm Springs, Calif., three years ago and were looking for something to do.
“We kept seeing this derelict building for sale and looking in the windows,” Janice said. What they saw was a wreck: no walls, no plumbing, nothing but termite-eaten studs. “We’re either a couple of visionaries or lunatics, but we said let’s buy it and figure it out.” The bedraggled property’s redeeming quality was its setting, which captivated the couple. “It’s a beautiful lot with oak trees and next door to a pastoral looking church in a converted barn,” she said. They were guided to the wine bar idea by local friends who complained that there wasn’t a bar for grown ups where they could get a nice glass of wine without loud music and the usual beach bar menu. The wine bar idea got a boost from the fact that Janice is a longtime member of the Brotherhood of Knights of the Vine, an esteemed wine society, and has loads of experience creating events around wine. So the Halls hired a contractor and architects and the three-bedroom cottage slowly began to be transformed. The former living room will be the main gathering area. The front bedroom with a fireplace and flatscreen TV is another spot for guests. The front patio with rocking chairs and fire pit is almost done. Janice calls the interior character “slick and cool with really good vibes. It feels like in Sonoma.” Muscadine vines will be planted soon to add another winery touch. The Halls are working on the wine list and menu, which will feature cheeses from St. James Cheese Co. in New Orleans and other vendors. Wine will be moderately priced and sold by the glass and by flights. Some beers will also be sold. Janice said the bistro will have a club atmosphere with something for everybody. “You can come in and site in comfortable leather furniture or at pub tables for a cheese board and a nice glass wine.” Central Station Bistro will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to closing (TBD). Stay tuned for the opening date announcement. Follow Central Station Bistro on Facebook. Central Station Bistro 205 Central Ave. Bay St. Louis (228) 342-5832 Read more by Lisa Monti, freelance writer and Shoofly Magazine editor - on her popular blog, Lisa Monti's Notebook. Subscriptions are free!
In early May, Hancock County residents will be able to get a "Clean Car Fast," when a new business opens in Waveland.
- story by Lisa Monti, from Lisa Monti's Notebook
Schmidt and Brian Hill started Pitstop in 2005, putting their retail experience to work in the car wash business. The goal was to have “the best equipment and customer friendly technology, along with quality soaps and waxes, attentive employees, clean, wide-open, well-lit facilities, fair prices and no gimmicks.”
Getting your car washed couldn’t be easier, says Schmidt. Choose from four cleaning packages (basic, good, better and best) and pay at one of two automated stations with a credit/debit card or insert cash. Drive your car onto the conveyor and sit back. The conveyor brings the car through the tunnel as a series of all soft-cloth mitters and wraps move back and forth to clean the exterior. “Our slogan is ‘A Clean Car Fast’. We want to get you in and out in less than five minutes,” he said. Prices start at $6 and go up to $15. The tunnel can handle up to 100 cars an hour. “We’re based on volume so we wash a lot of cars to keep prices low,” Schmidt said. He said the cleaning process is environmentally efficient compared to washing your car in your driveway where the water may end up the Bay or Sound. The multimillion dollar facility’s conveyor system is specially engineered and angled to collect sediment in three underground tanks. The water is recycled and is filtered before it is discharged into the sanitary sewer system. Pitstop is even “certified green” by an international association of car washes, Schmidt said. Pitstop will be open seven days a week except Christmas and Thanksgiving from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. It will be staffed by three full-time employees and a few part-time workers. Pitstop Carwash, 445 Highway 90, Waveland. No phone yet; check the website (www.acleancarfast.com) and Facebook page.
The kitchen at Bodega's at 111 Court Street opens Thursday (March 15): Popular chef Rickey Peters and visionary entrepreneur Kevin Jordan have teamed up for the new Bay St. Louis venture. Check out the new menu!
- story and photos by Ellis Anderson
Gumbo Ya-ya, Shrimp Remoulade, the Cochon de Lait, Meatloaf and Chicken/Boudin sandwiches are just a few of the crowd-pleasers that have made a comeback. Banana Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce makes a reappearance as a grand finale.
New on the menu are dollar tacos, cheeseburger sliders, French pizza bread and shrimp salad rolls. Soon to come, according to Jordan, are daily specials and some entrée plates.
Peters, who began his chef's career working with Paul Prudhomme, has more than two decades of experience pleasing local diners. His first restaurant was a namesake – Rickey’s in Waveland. The popular eatery attracted foodies from the entire region and won the hearts of locals. After Hurricane Katrina destroyed the business, it reincarnated for several years on Highway 90 in Bay St. Louis.
When entrepreneur Kevin Jordan invited Rickey to open up at a renovated barber shop across from the depot in 2015, Rickey’s Off the Tracks instantly became one of the town’s liveliest lunch spots. Jordan had plans to offer an outdoor kitchen and evening dining at the depot location, yet a hitch in logistics put an end to the restaurant. It turned out that his initial measurements were slightly off – the restaurant was 20 feet too close to a school building to obtain a liquor license.
“It’s hard to have a dinner spot here on the coast without being able to serve adult beverages,” said Jordan, noting that Bodega’s Court Street location doesn’t have that issue.
The outdoor BBQ and eating area that never materialized in the Depot district is already taking shape at Bodega. Out back, a deep French Quarter style balcony is being added to the building and will offer a covered area for dining below. Inside, the 1,000 square foot bar and dining area is adjacent to the kitchen where Rickey will be serving up his specials. The Court Street building, former headquarters for both the city and the Hancock Chamber, also is home to a liquor store, a rental business and a yoga studio upstairs.
Jordan notes that Bodega rents about any mode of transportation needed in Bay St. Louis, including golf carts, bicycles, kayaks and paddleboards. Since it’s only a stone’s throw from the harbor, that’s especially convenient for visiting boaters.
The liquor store features a large assortment of wines (Jordan, who also owns a small vineyard in California, oversees the selection) and liquors. They’re able to sell both retail and wholesale, so can provide alcohol for downtown bars and restaurants as well. Jordan says that the store also keeps a wish-list. “If we don’t have what they want, we’ll order it,” he said.
The Loft Yoga studio offers classes that range from beginner level to advanced. Classes may be purchased individually, as well as in packs of five or ten.
George Mills performs at Bodega each Saturday from 7pm – 10pm (on Second Saturdays, he starts at 6pm). As the weather warms, Friday night performances will be added as well. Look for the soft opening of Bodega’s kitchen in ten days to two weeks. The chef is counting the hours. “I’m ready to start today,” Rickey said.
An Old Town anchor relocates into the historic Century Hall building on Second Street. Find out when and why!
- by Lisa Monti, Lisa Monti's Notebook
“The interior warmth of the hall’s architecture will offer beautiful niches for my products and artists,” she said.
Also, she said, “There’s plenty of onsite parking available for our customers.” Guido has a family tie to the two-story hall, which was built in 1909 for the Woodmen of the World. “My grandmother Albena was a Woodmen of the World member and attended their meetings all over the Coast,” she said. To read more about Janice Guido and Bay Life in the Shoofly Magazine's Oct. 2016 issue, click here! Lisa Monti publishes many BSL meeting agendas and local business stories on her blog, Lisa Monti's Notebook. It's easy to subscribe!
Below: Shoofly archived images from Bay Life - look for lots of new merchandise after the reopening!
Update, November 28, post-meeting: Vote was 3-0 (1 abstaining) to deny the application for subdivision. Read details of it below.
November's Planning and Zoning Commission meeting may be as lively as the October one was, with a modified plan for a new beach subdivision being presented. - by Lisa Monti, Lisa Monti's Notebook
Last time (October 30th), South Beach BSL, LLC proposed around 67 lots and townhouses, a park and pavilion; this time they want to develop “53 lots, more or less, for a single-family residential development with a minimum of 7,500 square feet per lot and a lot width of 75 feet.”
Neighbors packed the October meeting to oppose the plan and it’s likely they will show up again to weigh in on the new application. Click here to see the full meeting agenda on Lisa Monti's Notebook.
A popular coast business that cut its teeth in Bay St. Louis will open a new location soon on Main Street in Old Town.
- story by Lisa Monti, Lisa Monti's Notebook
“We have been looking for a space for almost a year,” Arzola said. “We have been keeping a watchful eye out and we were so excited when this spot became available. We are very grateful to the owners of Cuz’s for selling our pops and now we are able to have the space to open a full store.”
The new location will be like the ones in Gulfport and Ocean Springs. There will be seating inside at a long communal bench and near the front windows overlooking Main Street. Customers can try the 50-plus flavors always on hand plus have the option of dipping their pops in either dark or white chocolate or both.
The pops come in fruit, cream and indulgent categories, including fresh fruit pops, Oreo cheesecake and a few sugar-free options as well. They are all handcrafted in small batches with fresh herbs, fruit from all over the world and spices. The popsicles start at $3 and go to $5 for the indulgence creations.
Arzola said it’s fitting that the new store is opening on Main Street because Pop Brothers’ original customer base was in Bay St. Louis. The owners tested their icy treats on Second Saturdays in 2015, selling the popsicles out of a cart. “It’s where we realized our idea might work,” Arzola said. “It’s fate how this happened now.” Things are looking up for Pop Brothers, which was recently featured on The Billion Dollar Buyer, the CNBC reality show, as well as the Cooking Channel series Beach Bites with Katie Lee. The owners just opened a store in Gulf Breeze, Fla., and the popsicles are sold in several locations in Texas as well as the Gulfport-Biloxi Airport, Stennis Space Center, the Golden Nugget Lake Charles and Murky Waters in Hattiesburg. And that one cart that got the whole Pop Brothers venture off the ground at Second Saturday is available for rent along with several others. Arzola said they are popular for weddings, showers, corporate events, birthday parties and other occasions. For more information, contact Shannon Arzola at (205) 382-7123 or email shannon@popbrothers.com. Read more stories by Lisa Monti on the blog Lisa Monti's Notebook.
The regular monthly time for the Bay St. Louis Planning & Zoning Commission meeting falls on Halloween this year, so the time has been changed to Monday night, October 30, 2017. Yet one agenda item - the application for a new beachfront subdivision - has spurred concerns about setting precedents and may swell attendance.
- story by Lisa Monti
Two new powerhouse retailers open up in Bay-Waveland this week, giving local bargain hunters plenty to celebrate.
- by Lisa Monti
A local café gets a name update, a make-over and a fresh new Med-style menu. Meet the new owner, Sonny Wright. Click here for the breakfast menu and click here for the lunch/dinner menu!
- by Lisa Monti The preliminary design for a new four-story, 59-room hotel slated for one of the most significant corners in Old Town garnered unanimous conceptual approval by the Bay St. Louis Historic Commission on July 10th. - by Lisa Monti A popular Gulfport restaurant has moved to the first block of Main Street in Bay St. Louis: sneak peek on Thursday, July 13th and soft opening Friday, July 14th. We've posted the soft opening menu below (look for the full menu later next week!) - story by Lisa Monti Cork & Cleaver 111 Main Street Bay St. Louis Soft Opening Bistro Hours: (Chef David says that they'll be expanding hours as they get settled in.) Sneak Peek, Thursday: 5pm - 9pm Friday: 11am - 2pm, 5pm - 10pm Saturday: 11am - 10pm Sunday: 11am - 6pm Each year, the Hancock Chamber honors top local businesses and ten Outstanding Citizens. One of the citizens will be selected as Citizen of the Year at the Chamber's annual gala in August. In the meantime, celebrate the best of Hancock County!
The "rural lifestyle" chain operates more than 1600 stores in 49 states. Soon, there'll be one in Bay St. Louis, close to the post office.
- by Lisa Monti
Bay St. Louis blogger Lisa Monti posts big news about the historic A&G Theatre on Beach Blvd. in Old Town.
The old 84 Lumber facility at Nicholson and Hwy 90 has been abandoned since 2011, but soon it will be the home of a fascinating new business. Lisa Monti reports for Mississippi Business Journal.
Bay-Waveland residents may have noticed a flurry of activity at the site of the old 84 Lumber site, on Nicholson Avenue, near the intersection of Hwy. 90. An unsightly chainlink/barbed wire fence across the front of the facility has been removed and the faded blue paint of the main building now has a fresh coat of white.
The facelift is just the most obvious sign of change, and the most ironic: the facility is being repurposed to serve as a home for a company that builds storefronts for several popular national retailers. Mississippi Business Journal published a detailed article by Lisa Monti earlier this week. Below is an excerpt with a link to the full story!
Infinity-AP is moving its custom storefront fabrication operation from Chalmette, La., to the vacant 84 Lumber location off U.S. 90 in Waveland. Co-owner Rick Bradley said the goal is to open in early 2017 with up to 15 employees.
The company designs, engineers and fabricates custom storefronts for international retailers. Bradley said their best known customers are Abercrombie & Fitch and its subsidiary Hollister Co., and Victoria’s Secret and its PINK chain of stores for younger customers. Infinity-AP also has done work for American brands around the world, including the Middle East, Central and South America and the Caribbean. The company outgrew the 10,000-square-foot building it leased in Chalmette. The new location has a 20,000-square-footbuilding, a 10,000 square feet building and two canopied areas with 9,000 square feet each. The entire site covers almost five acres. Read the whole article on the Mississippi Business Journal website.
S&L Office Supply, the only dedicated office supply company in Hancock County, is expanding exponentially in the coming months.
Later this year, the business will be moving from its present location 129 Hwy 90 in Waveland to 1201 Hwy 90, across from the Bay St. Louis post office. The large building at 1201 was formerly home to the “Shieldsboro Bazaar,” an indoor flea market. Currently, it’s being renovated and remodeled. Bay St. Louis architect Ed Wikoff worked with S&L owner Chris Cochran to redesign the building’s interior, and work is underway for a complete makeover. |
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