Old Town BSL Welcomes New Businesses

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​in the ​Shoofly Magazine

It’s always exciting when new businesses come to town. Get ready for unique taste treats at Popcorn Plus, and an outdoors outfitter called 211 MAIN!

- story by Lisa Monti​

Popcorn plus offers more than 40 flavors of popcorn!

 
One new business is up and running in Old Town, and a second new venture will debut next month.
 
Popcorn Plus is now open at 112 Court Street, selling many flavors of fresh popped popcorn and candy. Owner Rachel Schmitt has been looking for just the right spot for her second shop – the original opened as a kiosk in Edgewater Mall in 2013 – and she finally found it when the daiquiri shop space became available.
 
Rachel, who grew up in Clermont Harbor and lives in Diamondhead, said her customers come in all ages. “Everybody loves candy and popcorn, young to old. There’s no limit.”

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Customers found their way to the shop as soon as they could get in to try the gourmet popcorn, which comes in an amazing 40 flavors, from the classic cheddar and caramel, to cheesy buffalo ranch and even crawfish flavored. Candy apple popcorn? They’ve got it. Grab a bag or go for a tin of popcorn to share or give as a gift.
 
And if you’re looking for something sweet, you’re in luck. The shop sells fudge, candy apples, caramel apples plus a large selection of bulk candy that will remind you of when you really were a “kid in a candy store.”

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Popcorn Plus also caters for birthdays and can supply memorable wedding favors. They’ll even customize the colors to match your theme. They ship orders, too. Like their slogan says, “Cuz everyone loves popcorn.”
 
Popcorn Plus is open Monday through Thursday 11–6, Friday and Saturday 11–7 and noon–5 on Sunday.

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211 Main Street, a new outfitter shop in the historic cottage that formerly housed the Starfish Café.

 
The Shinskie family shares a love of the outdoors and the coastal lifestyle in Bay St. Louis. It’s what brought Debbie and Don here, along with two of their grown children. That love is what ultimately led to 211 MAIN, the outdoors shop they’re creating in the former home of Starfish Cafe.
 
The family did some informal research by talking with locals and tourists about what they might buy for a day at the beach or a boat ride that wasn’t already in local stores.
 

“We looked at the lifestyle here, with people going to the beach or out on boats, walking around town with dogs, biking, riding in golf carts,” Debbie said. Then they started rounding up vendors and ordering merchandise.
 

 
Debbie and son Andy will be the faces of the new venture, which will sell merchandise geared toward all things outdoors: clothing, drinkware, sunscreen, swimsuits, beach chairs and towels and sunglasses, among them. They’ll carry the popular Keen’s sandals and Rainbow flip flops. Candles and dog leashes also are being stocked. Daughter-in-law Gaby is in charge of social media for 211 MAIN, posting photos of their progress on the shop and the merchandise already here.
 
More inventory is coming in as they prepare for the grand opening/ribbon cutting Dec. 12, the holiday Second Saturday.