Welcome to Old Town Bay St. Louis!
Mississippi Gulf Coast
june hot spots are here!
Bay Life Gifts
The Shops of Century Hall, 112 South Second Street
Story by Caitlin Bourgeois
Viewing the historic Century Hall from across the street makes you wonder just how a place can host so many shops inside. The building is three stories, with a beautiful porch and balcony, and hosts onsite parking for customers to browse the 16 shops it is home to. Then, you step in off of Second Street to find the most welcoming committee of shop owners you could have ever wanted to meet.
Take a quick couple of steps down the stairs to be greeted by Janice Guido, the owner of Bay Life Gifts. Janice is welcoming and energetic, with a memory that will make you wonder how she could possibly retain so much information without a cheat sheet to help guide her. She guides customers through her shop while introducing each artist and product that she glides her hand over. Her energy for her shop is infectious and makes a customer want to dive right into all of the incredible goods she has to offer.
Janice brought Bay Life Gifts to The Shops of Century Hall after running the shop on Main Street for three years. “I love to be in this historical building. It’s a survivalist building,” Janice said. The artwork that lines the walls of her shop is a beautiful modern feeling in a building heading into its 101st year. Janice selects the artwork for her shop from local artists and spends a lot of time doing so. Tehle McGuffee and Kathy Bensabat are just two of the local artists that Janice hosts in Bay Life Gifts.
Janice herself is a sucker for a good table setting but she fills her three room shop with gifts of all kinds. If you’re stumped on gift giving, Janice is a guru at whipping up the perfect gift basket - she has gifts for everyone and never disappoints. Bay Life Gifts also offers wedding registry for those couples who want to be locally mindful.
There is so much about Janice that is fascinating and brings so much life to her shop. She sits on the Hancock County Tourism Board, works with the Hancock Chamber of Commerce and is organizing the 2nd Annual Hancock Parade of Homes with her co-chair, Regan Kane.
Bay Life Gifts will be one of the Second Saturday Hot Spots on June 13th as the Old Town district begins to bounce back from COVID-19. Bay Life Gifts will be keeping it lively with Joy Mehrtens' Ukulele Band playing on the front porch of The Shops of Century Hall, weather permitting, from 4:00 to 6:30 pm. Janice will be providing complimentary bottled water and Hershey Kisses because, as she put it, everyone just needs a hug right now.
Check out The Shops of Century Hall’s new website here: www.shopsofcenturyhall.com
The Parrot Head Bar & Grill
BODEGA, 111 Court Street
Story by Caitlin Bourgeois
There’s a special ambience that The Parrot Head Bar & Grill has that seems to set it apart from the restaurants that line the beachfront. Palm trees sway and Reggae music bumps through the speakers as guests enjoy a cold drink on the back patio. There are kayaks and paddle boards lining the backyard with golf carts stacked in the alleyway, waiting for their turn to ride through town.
Enter in from Court Street, or the parking lot off of Main Street, and one will find a one stop shop in the heart of town. Located in Bodega, The Parrot Head Bar & Grill is a simple set up with a menu to fit all tastes. From local dishes like Gumbo or Shrimp Remoulade Salad to an array of sandwiches that Vanessa Lewy, Bodega Representative, touts as the best sandwiches on the Coast. “At least that is what the customers say,” said Lewy.
Bodega offers The Parrot Head Bar & Grill, Bodega Spirits Liquor, LOFT Yoga and Bodega Adventure Rentals - all in one convenient location. Pop in for a morning yoga session, grab a delicious lunch and margarita, rent a golf cart for a day on the town and then grab a bottle of wine to finish off your evening.
The Parrot Head Bar & Grill is back to their regular hours and serving their full menu. They have added tables outdoors and stick with social distancing while their staff members wear masks. Chef Rickey, who once owned the infamous Rickey’s Restaurant in Waveland, is still in the kitchen at The Parrot Head Bar & Grill, which many locals love.
The Parrot Head Bar & Grill will be one of the Second Saturday Hot Spots on June 13th. They will be hosting live music from the balcony which is part of their “From the Balcony Summer Music Series” from 7-10. Lewy encourages guests to bring their own folding chairs and to keep it to groups of no more than 6 people. They will have complimentary Rum Punch and Pirate Booty snacks for those who join them.
BODEGA, 111 Court Street
Story by Caitlin Bourgeois
There’s a special ambience that The Parrot Head Bar & Grill has that seems to set it apart from the restaurants that line the beachfront. Palm trees sway and Reggae music bumps through the speakers as guests enjoy a cold drink on the back patio. There are kayaks and paddle boards lining the backyard with golf carts stacked in the alleyway, waiting for their turn to ride through town.
Enter in from Court Street, or the parking lot off of Main Street, and one will find a one stop shop in the heart of town. Located in Bodega, The Parrot Head Bar & Grill is a simple set up with a menu to fit all tastes. From local dishes like Gumbo or Shrimp Remoulade Salad to an array of sandwiches that Vanessa Lewy, Bodega Representative, touts as the best sandwiches on the Coast. “At least that is what the customers say,” said Lewy.
Bodega offers The Parrot Head Bar & Grill, Bodega Spirits Liquor, LOFT Yoga and Bodega Adventure Rentals - all in one convenient location. Pop in for a morning yoga session, grab a delicious lunch and margarita, rent a golf cart for a day on the town and then grab a bottle of wine to finish off your evening.
The Parrot Head Bar & Grill is back to their regular hours and serving their full menu. They have added tables outdoors and stick with social distancing while their staff members wear masks. Chef Rickey, who once owned the infamous Rickey’s Restaurant in Waveland, is still in the kitchen at The Parrot Head Bar & Grill, which many locals love.
The Parrot Head Bar & Grill will be one of the Second Saturday Hot Spots on June 13th. They will be hosting live music from the balcony which is part of their “From the Balcony Summer Music Series” from 7-10. Lewy encourages guests to bring their own folding chairs and to keep it to groups of no more than 6 people. They will have complimentary Rum Punch and Pirate Booty snacks for those who join them.
Photo by Vanessa Lewy
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Photo by Vanessa Lewy
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We won & we won big!
BAY SAINT LOUIS VOTED
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The Second Saturday Artwalk is brought to you by the Old Town Merchants Association and sponsored by Silver Slipper Casino Hotel, The Peoples Bank, and The First Bank with support from the Seacoast Echo.
To learn more about the Old Town Merchants Association, use the alphabetical list below. You can also search by category from the menu bar above.
 Click on the cover to open the tour now!
The Bay's Walking/Biking Historic Tour is proof in print that history doesn't have to be boring!
And now it's available in a nifty PDF version, so it can go with you on your phone! Click to open it up and get going right now! Look for an updated print version available free at various merchant locations throughout Old Town in the coming weeks! |
National Recognition
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In the June 2017 issue of Vogue Magazine, Bay St. Louis is featured in the article "A Summer Road Trip Along the Mississippi Gulf Coast". Share it with friends and business associates. To read the article in Vogue Magazine, click here!
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In March of 2017, Bay St. Louis was featured as one of Thrillist 13 Amazing American Beach Towns you can actually afford to live in. Explore Old Town and find out why!
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U.S. Solo Travel Destinations for women...
In March of 2017, Glamour Magazine named Bay St. Louis as one of eight cool, unexpected American destinations for women to consider for a solo travel destination. So start bragging!
Share it with friends and business associates. To read the article in Glamour Magazine, click here!
Share it with friends and business associates. To read the article in Glamour Magazine, click here!
BSL Makes "Best Of!"BAY ST. LOUIS WAS ONE OF ONLY TWELVE MISSISSIPPI LOCATIONS TO BE SELECTED FOR THE "OFFICIAL BEST OF MISSISSIPPI" FEATURE. NOMINEES UNDERWENT A RIGOROUS SELECTION PROCESS. SEE WHY WE WERE CHOSEN "BEST PLEASURE SEEKER'S PARADISE!"
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