HGTV Returns to BSL

HGTV features Bay St. Louis for the second - and third - times in 2017 as two new segments premier this month on the Great American Country network, in the show "You Live in What?"
- story by Ellis Anderson

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A renovated gas station and a former department store that's been converted to a design studio/home will be featured this month in the popular HGTV-produced series, "You Live in What?" 

The first segment, showcasing the gas station, will premier July 20th, at 9pm on the Great American Country (GAC) network.  The second segment, focuses on the studio/home of designers Al and Cathy Lawson, airs July 27th, also at 9pm ​(subject to change).

The gas station is owned by local real estate broker, Holly Lemoine-Raymond, of HL Raymond Properties, LLC.  The broker has a local reputation as a DIY expert (click here and scroll down to read her "Beautiful Things" columns in the Shoofly).  She renovated the gas station top to bottom, two years ago. 

Inside Holly's gas station

The Lawsons purchased their property in 2013, located on the corner of Sycamore Street and Blaize Avenue - just a few blocks from Holly's gas station.  The professional designers, who own the Lawson Studio, also began with a clean slate and lots of imagination.  The building is best known historically in the community as the old Lusich's Department Store.

The transformation of both projects made the grade with the assigned production company, Beyond Media, LLC.

Lawson Studios

Holly was featured earlier this year in a "Beachfront Bargains" episode that also featured Bay St. Louis.   The broker has found that working with production companies that are approaching her now gives her an opportunity to showcase the community.  She hopes the positive national exposure will help other realtors and local businesses as well. 

"It's all about our community and its history," she says.

The broker says that she's very proud of her Mississippi coast home, but the shows also focus on another of her passions - re-purposing.  She hopes the two segments will inspire people to think outside the box, by seeing examples of how derelict properties can shine with new life.

She also enjoys showcasing the Bay to a national audience. 

"We have so much in the way of natural beauty, history and good architecture," says Holly.  "And our people are simply amazing.  The production crews I've worked with have loved it here, and are trying to find reasons to come back."

Holly says that she's working with producers on two other potential projects and she hopes to be filming again in the fall.