Welcome to Old Town Bay St. Louis!
Mississippi Gulf Coast
Our June 2018 Second Saturday
"Hot Spots"
stay "Hot" all month!
Hot Spot Activities are 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 9, 2018
California Drawstrings216 Main Street
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 228.463.2124 
Owner of California Drawstrings Linda Keenan will tell you her boutique specializing in cotton, linen, and silk doesn’t have much to do with California. In fact, her company has been firmly rooted in the Gulf South since 1984 when Keenan had her entrepreneur moment at the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans.
“I was working in real estate in North Carolina when I saw this fabulous line of linen clothing at a boat show,” said Keenan. “I knew I wanted to continue my real estate career and move to New Orleans, but I thought people visiting for the World’s Fair weren’t going to understand the heat and humidity. I thought I could earn some extra money by selling this cool clothing line in the French Market and it just really took off.” In the beginning, California Drawstrings focused on two or three lines of clothing, but now it stocks about 50 different vendors.
On moving to Bay St. Louis, Keenan explains that "one day Nancy Moynan of Lulu's called to say the mayor of Bay St. Louis told her about my shop and they thought it would be a good fit for Bay St. Louis. I went to see her space at Maggie May’s and opened a Bay St. Louis branch in Maggie Mays' in 2012.”
Just as Keenan faced the familiar problem of outgrowing the space a couple of years later, she heard of a business for sale on Main Street. She saw the building and immediately made an offer. "We have so much more space in our BSL location--and lots of parking, too." "We get a lot of repeat customers, and it is not unusual to sit down with customers and just chat late in the afternoon. Besides being a picturesque beach town, what Keenan loves about Bay St. Louis is the people. "The people I meet in the store are probably the most rewarding aspect of owning the shop." “I just know Bay St. Louis is a place I want to spend the rest of my life,” Keenan said. “I’ll never really retire, but the pace is so much easier here than in New Orleans. And after a while you just appreciate not having to worry about things like parking.” “I feel like I have the greatest sales team and the greatest managers,” Keenan said. “They look after the stores as if they were their own. The greatest compliment you can give me is that you love my staff. They are truly like family to me watching out for what’s best for all of us. I can’t be in three places at once." Betty Krieger, manager, has been with Keenan since she opened the BSL shop. When Betty retires in June 2018, Stephanie Cooper will take over as manager. "And to think I literally started with two tables and $1500 at the French Market.” On Second Saturday, June 9, California Drawstrings will give away a pair of sunglasses with every purchase. The Renegades, a five-piece variety band that plays classic and current songs in the categories of dance, rock, contemporary, and country music, will perform between 4:00 and 8:00 pm. |
Bodega BSL Rentals & Sales111 Court Street
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 228.363.1290 
Located in the heart of Old Town Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, the Bodega is a recently renovated multifaceted complex featuring everything you’ll need to get the best out of this lively and charming town.
Looking for a way to get around town during your stay? Don't have a bike? You can rent them at Bodega (just off Beach Boulevard at 111 Court Street). Feeling more adventurous? You can also ply the local waters with kayaks and paddle boards, also available for rent there. Bodega Adventure Rentals and Sales has just what you need. 
The idea for Bodega evolved over time. Visionary entrepreneur Kevin Jordan bought the building from the city when it went up for auction several years ago. “I didn’t have a clue what I was going to do with it,” he says. “I often put the cart before the horse when it comes to real-estate decisions.” The property was in excellent shape, though, having been renovated by the City of BSL after Hurricane Katrina, if not a little staid. Jordan and crew went to work using reclaimed Katrina lumber, stucco, and paints. The building’s first iteration was to house the offices of Gulfview Properties before making the transformation to beach hang-out. Jordan rented bicycles first and then golf carts followed by kayaks and paddle boards. Then he built a bar, subdivided the first floor for a liquor store, and converted the second floor to a loft for yoga. Jordan recently teamed up with Chef Extraordinaire Rickey Peters, who has developed an enormous Gulf Coast following in the past 20 years. 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 serves up his specials. Bodega gets its name from the town of Bodega in Northern California, home of Hitchcock’s thriller film Birds, and one of Jordan’s favorite places to visit when he is at his family’s vineyard in Napa Valley. “El Bodega” is one of Jordan’s favorite bars in Havana. Jordan explains that in and around New York City, the term is used to refer to a convenience/liquor store, and that seems to fit, as he hopes to eventually carry beach and convenience store items. More than anything, Jordan would like to see Bodega become a local destination. After all, “everyone wants to go where the locals go.” Conveniently located ½ block from the beach, the Parrot Head Bar and Grill is the perfect hangout to relax and unwind, and Jordan seems to be off to a very good start. Bodega Rentals & Sales is open daily from 8am to 5pm. The Parrot Head is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11am until closing time and closed on Monday and Tuesday. George Mills and the Invisibles performs at Bodega each Saturday from 6pm – until 
On Saturday, June 9, Bodega will serve up specials on coconut margaritas and other tropical drinks and a Cuban Special by Chef Rickey.
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The Second Saturday Artwalk is brought to you by the Old Town Merchants Association and sponsored by Hancock Bank, People's 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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