Welcome to Old Town Bay St. Louis!
Mississippi Gulf Coast
February 2018 2nd Saturday
"Hot Spots"
stay "Hot" all month!
Hot Spot Activities are 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 9, 2018
The French Potager
213 Main St, Bay St Louis, MS 39520 2283643091
The French Potager, voted Best Florist/Floral Designer in Mississippi by Mississippi Magazine, and named the best antique mall and best antique jewelry by the M-List, is owned by Martha Whitney Butler.
Butler, who is also the lead floral designer, opened The French Potager in November of 2012 “after taking a leap of faith.” This leap, as well as some classes provided by the Chamber of Commerce, allowed her to be able to “develop a sturdy five-year business plan.”
She began as a small antique mall. Soon, the shop evolved to offer full-time floral services. “This business would allow me to travel to procure goods, have vendors with a diverse selection of antiques and gifts, and also create floral arrangements.”
Since then, the shop has evolved even more. They now deliver all across the coast, and create floral designs for weddings and any other type of event. “The flowers come from all over the world, and we also sell as many local flowers as we can get our hands on.”
Martha is an artist, and her floral arrangements exude creativity and beauty. “My floral designs are largely inspired by the nature around me,” she says. Her inspiration for the shop comes from 17 years in the antique business and her travels, but she always makes sure to stop and appreciate the splendor of the world around her in order to stay inspired.
“My current designs embody a backyard garden feel, but according to what I’m inspired by, they could be completely different the next week. I try my best to accommodate the visions of my clients, but in reality, people get my best when they give me creative freedom, and I’m always hoping that they are choosing me as their designer based on my talents and style like they would choose any other artist.”
She is incredibly “honored and grateful to have appeared in several major and local publications.” The awards speak for themselves, that this floral shop is the best around, and the community embraces it, just as Butler embraces the community.
“My favorite part about owning my shop is being a part of this beautiful community, its art scene, and being appreciated for my artistic talents. I’ve never lived in a place where I felt so celebrated, and everyday that I wake up in Bay St. Louis is a gift. The people here are some of the most resilient, loving, and talented people I have ever come across, and I feel like I’m a part of this community’s fabric.”
Butler’s favorite events to design for include large-scale events for corporate accounts, weddings, and elopements. Being a floral designer is very personal, as they are really there for their customers from birth til the end, and Butler is honored to be a part of these events everyday.
“A florist is for life, and we are here to enhance all of your major life events, and share with you the joy of flowers. This is our calling and our privilege.”
In the realm of antiques, you will find so many unique treasures inside the shop. “We have several different antique dealers from all walks of life giving us great variety of goods to sell.” She makes sure to do everything she can to send each special piece home with the right owner.
Whatever event you may have coming up, make sure to call Martha to create some floral art for you and visit her shop, located on Main Street, for some unique items that will bring a smile to anyone’s face.
February means Valentine’s Day, and Valentine’s Day means flowers, and The French Potager, is the place to get them for your loved one. For February 9 Second Saturday, enjoy live music at the shop, sponsored by The People’s Bank, Hancock Whitney Bank, and The First.
213 Main St, Bay St Louis, MS 39520 2283643091
The French Potager, voted Best Florist/Floral Designer in Mississippi by Mississippi Magazine, and named the best antique mall and best antique jewelry by the M-List, is owned by Martha Whitney Butler.
Butler, who is also the lead floral designer, opened The French Potager in November of 2012 “after taking a leap of faith.” This leap, as well as some classes provided by the Chamber of Commerce, allowed her to be able to “develop a sturdy five-year business plan.”
She began as a small antique mall. Soon, the shop evolved to offer full-time floral services. “This business would allow me to travel to procure goods, have vendors with a diverse selection of antiques and gifts, and also create floral arrangements.”
Since then, the shop has evolved even more. They now deliver all across the coast, and create floral designs for weddings and any other type of event. “The flowers come from all over the world, and we also sell as many local flowers as we can get our hands on.”
Martha is an artist, and her floral arrangements exude creativity and beauty. “My floral designs are largely inspired by the nature around me,” she says. Her inspiration for the shop comes from 17 years in the antique business and her travels, but she always makes sure to stop and appreciate the splendor of the world around her in order to stay inspired.
“My current designs embody a backyard garden feel, but according to what I’m inspired by, they could be completely different the next week. I try my best to accommodate the visions of my clients, but in reality, people get my best when they give me creative freedom, and I’m always hoping that they are choosing me as their designer based on my talents and style like they would choose any other artist.”
She is incredibly “honored and grateful to have appeared in several major and local publications.” The awards speak for themselves, that this floral shop is the best around, and the community embraces it, just as Butler embraces the community.
“My favorite part about owning my shop is being a part of this beautiful community, its art scene, and being appreciated for my artistic talents. I’ve never lived in a place where I felt so celebrated, and everyday that I wake up in Bay St. Louis is a gift. The people here are some of the most resilient, loving, and talented people I have ever come across, and I feel like I’m a part of this community’s fabric.”
Butler’s favorite events to design for include large-scale events for corporate accounts, weddings, and elopements. Being a floral designer is very personal, as they are really there for their customers from birth til the end, and Butler is honored to be a part of these events everyday.
“A florist is for life, and we are here to enhance all of your major life events, and share with you the joy of flowers. This is our calling and our privilege.”
In the realm of antiques, you will find so many unique treasures inside the shop. “We have several different antique dealers from all walks of life giving us great variety of goods to sell.” She makes sure to do everything she can to send each special piece home with the right owner.
Whatever event you may have coming up, make sure to call Martha to create some floral art for you and visit her shop, located on Main Street, for some unique items that will bring a smile to anyone’s face.
February means Valentine’s Day, and Valentine’s Day means flowers, and The French Potager, is the place to get them for your loved one. For February 9 Second Saturday, enjoy live music at the shop, sponsored by The People’s Bank, Hancock Whitney Bank, and The First.
200 North Beach 200 N Beach Blvd, Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520-4510 12284679388
Dining in at 200 North Beach is quite a luxury. Located on Beach Boulevard, this restaurant gives you the fine dining experience that you are looking for on the Gulf Coast.
Mike Fusco became manager in September after having worked at a restaurant in the French Quarter for five and a half years. “I love Bay St. Louis,” he says with a big smile on his face. Fusco’s favorite part about being manager of 200 North Beach is getting to know the customers. Of course, looking at the beach everyday is a plus.
“Every place I’ve worked at has been very very high-paced and you don’t really get to know the people that come in, and in Bay St. Louis, you see a lot of the same people over and over, you get to meet them all, and you get to learn about them instead of just having them be in here as somebody who is just having dinner; you get to know about them, where they’re from, what they do, as people, versus just as customers” he says. “In other places that I’ve worked, its been so fast-paced that you never got that.”
The restaurant just celebrated its seven year anniversary. It is no wonder 200 North Beach has been such a hit, as it offers delicious American Creole food, drinks, and daily specials that keep customers coming back for more.
Each day, there is a special, as well as a new lunch special every week, brunch on the weekends, featuring $4 Bloody Marys, mimosas, and sangria, daily drink specials, and a daily happy hour from 4-6, during which oysters and drinks are half price. The oyster special is the “best happy hour I think in Bay St. Louis” Fusco says. All of these specials are created to bring people in, and it is definitely working.
Another unique feature that sets 200 North Beach apart is the upstairs Balcony Sports Lounge that opened in September. It is “unique in that it’s the only sports lounge in Bay St. Louis.” Patrons can enjoy a drink while watching a football game on one of the six televisions in the comfort of this luxurious lounge, featuring a bar and large, sleek couches. It “creates more of an atmosphere where you can enjoy yourself” Fusco says.
It definitely is a destination, offering sweeping views of the bay. The Balcony Sports Lounge is open everyday, except Tuesdays, with Wednesday night being ladies night, during which women can have some time for themselves and enjoy $2 off glasses of wine and a drink special. The space is available to be rented for events as well.
In addition to 200 North Beach being a February “hot spot,” they also have some things lined up for the month to accompany their usual offerings. There is a Valentine’s Day menu that is already online, which includes a complimentary glass of champagne with your meal. The chef will also be creating a “winter to early spring” menu to go with the new season, and an early bird special starting this month. For Second Saturday Art Walk on February 9, enjoy live music outside sponsored by The People's Bank, Hancock Whitney Bank, and The First.
There is a lot to come for 200 North Beach as they move onto their eighth year of business, so do not wait to dine in for an incredible experience you will not get anywhere else.
Dining in at 200 North Beach is quite a luxury. Located on Beach Boulevard, this restaurant gives you the fine dining experience that you are looking for on the Gulf Coast.
Mike Fusco became manager in September after having worked at a restaurant in the French Quarter for five and a half years. “I love Bay St. Louis,” he says with a big smile on his face. Fusco’s favorite part about being manager of 200 North Beach is getting to know the customers. Of course, looking at the beach everyday is a plus.
“Every place I’ve worked at has been very very high-paced and you don’t really get to know the people that come in, and in Bay St. Louis, you see a lot of the same people over and over, you get to meet them all, and you get to learn about them instead of just having them be in here as somebody who is just having dinner; you get to know about them, where they’re from, what they do, as people, versus just as customers” he says. “In other places that I’ve worked, its been so fast-paced that you never got that.”
The restaurant just celebrated its seven year anniversary. It is no wonder 200 North Beach has been such a hit, as it offers delicious American Creole food, drinks, and daily specials that keep customers coming back for more.
Each day, there is a special, as well as a new lunch special every week, brunch on the weekends, featuring $4 Bloody Marys, mimosas, and sangria, daily drink specials, and a daily happy hour from 4-6, during which oysters and drinks are half price. The oyster special is the “best happy hour I think in Bay St. Louis” Fusco says. All of these specials are created to bring people in, and it is definitely working.
Another unique feature that sets 200 North Beach apart is the upstairs Balcony Sports Lounge that opened in September. It is “unique in that it’s the only sports lounge in Bay St. Louis.” Patrons can enjoy a drink while watching a football game on one of the six televisions in the comfort of this luxurious lounge, featuring a bar and large, sleek couches. It “creates more of an atmosphere where you can enjoy yourself” Fusco says.
It definitely is a destination, offering sweeping views of the bay. The Balcony Sports Lounge is open everyday, except Tuesdays, with Wednesday night being ladies night, during which women can have some time for themselves and enjoy $2 off glasses of wine and a drink special. The space is available to be rented for events as well.
In addition to 200 North Beach being a February “hot spot,” they also have some things lined up for the month to accompany their usual offerings. There is a Valentine’s Day menu that is already online, which includes a complimentary glass of champagne with your meal. The chef will also be creating a “winter to early spring” menu to go with the new season, and an early bird special starting this month. For Second Saturday Art Walk on February 9, enjoy live music outside sponsored by The People's Bank, Hancock Whitney Bank, and The First.
There is a lot to come for 200 North Beach as they move onto their eighth year of business, so do not wait to dine in for an incredible experience you will not get anywhere else.
The Second Saturday Artwalk is brought to you by the Old Town Merchants Association and sponsored by Hancock Whitney, 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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