Antique Maison 111 N 2nd St, Bay St. Louis, MS 39540 2284936316
“Something for everyone.” That is what owner, Sylvia Young, insists her shop on Second Street in Old Town Bay St. Louis offers customers. You will find this to be true once you step into Antique Maison and discover the labyrinth of booths containing many finds. The main room features stalls by different vendors. Walking toward the back of the building, you will discover even more treasures “you can’t live without.”
Sylvia and Ed moved to Bay St. Louis from New Orleans in 1991. Ed grew up experiencing the buying and selling of furniture for his family’s business, Young’s Furniture, that was located on Magazine Street. Sylvia was in the real estate business in Metairie, where she “actively sold real estate for 30 years.” The couple opened Antique Maison on January 1, 2007, after they renovated the building that was destroyed during Hurricane Katrina. Antique Maison, LLC became a mall that rented booths to different dealers who had lost their own antique malls to Katrina. Soon, the business became a success, “providing dealers with their own business,” and offering a variety of merchandise to customers.
“We have everything from industrial furniture and decor, to steam punk creations, nostalgia, vintage, and antique furniture, hand-crafted, vintage, and new silver and gold jewelry, home decor, a variety of art, books, historical collections, tools, a large collection of vinyl records, record players, light fixtures, toys and games, hunting equipment, bottle trees and driftwood, custom-made, hand-crafted wood items, handmade signs, and much more.” These are just a few of the items that are available in the shop. Each time you visit, there is sure to be something unique, as “new and interesting merchandise” arrives to Antique Maison daily.
Most of Sylvia’s customers include loyal buyers, tourists, local and out of state interior designers and vendors, people that scout and buy for others, and buyers for second homes on the coast. She loves all of her patrons, and has a strong passion for this line of work. Whether you are in the market for antiques, or simply want to browse, Antique Maison is not to be missed. Sylvia is not wrong in saying that everyone can find something they love in her shop. Visit and enjoy it as a “hot spot” this month. On December 8, during Second Saturday, there will be a band, sponsored by Hancock Bank, for everyone to enjoy while they marvel in the treasures to be found at this Bay St. Louis favorite.
Smith & Lens 106 S 2nd St, Bay St. Louis, MS 39540 2282546006
Smith & Lens, a gallery located on Second Street inside of “a quirky little building,” gets its name from its owners. Sandy Maggio, a smith, and Ann Madden, a photographer, work to bring art to the community.
The two first met when they were paired up during Nora Wikoff’s limited business, and then showed their art inside of the same building that we know and love today. When that particular business closed, Sandy and Ann took over, and everything “happened very quickly.” Fast forward five years, and the gallery is better than ever.
Each month, a different artist is featured inside of Smith & Lens, along with Sandy’s metal jewelry and Ann’s photography. These artists never fail to bring inspiration not only to the gallery, but to everyone that comes in and browses. Sandy and Ann feature local artists that they already know, ones that they find from social media and art fairs, and ones that simply “walk in off the street and want to show us their work.” They enjoy all of the artists, and especially enjoy finding new ones and watching them grow and gain a following. When they do their pop up gallery each year, they love to check in with artists that they have known and see how much their art has evolved. They hope to keep their support and continue to support all of these artists. Both Maggio & Madden also hope that art lovers continue to visit the gallery and that the gallery turns more people into art lovers.
The two cite the community as their favorite part of owning the gallery. “It feels like we’re really participating in our community and the community has embraced it and it is very satisfying…the way that it’s been embraced sort of reiterates all that we really love about Bay St. Louis” Madden says. Maggio agrees, saying that she wants the gallery to be a place “where people want to come and hang out and spend time,” adding, “the people of Bay St. Louis have been super super good to us.”
Two events that Smith & Lens features each year include Frida Fest in July, and Dolly Should, coming up on January 12. These are not to be missed, as they are truly unique to Bay St. Louis and have “grown in an exciting and wonderful way.” Also not to be missed is this particular Second Saturday Art walk on December 8, as it marks Smith & Lens’ fifth birthday. There are sure to be some surprises during this weekend, according to the two, including entertainment by Valerie Sassyfras from 5-6pm, sponsored by The People’s Bank, “debuting our new Golden Spinderella filled with treasures for all our 5th birthday, hotspot, gallery a Go Go extravaganza!” Enjoy this gallery, and experience its “reach far outside of its walls” in Old Town.
“Something for everyone.” That is what owner, Sylvia Young, insists her shop on Second Street in Old Town Bay St. Louis offers customers. You will find this to be true once you step into Antique Maison and discover the labyrinth of booths containing many finds. The main room features stalls by different vendors. Walking toward the back of the building, you will discover even more treasures “you can’t live without.”
Sylvia and Ed moved to Bay St. Louis from New Orleans in 1991. Ed grew up experiencing the buying and selling of furniture for his family’s business, Young’s Furniture, that was located on Magazine Street. Sylvia was in the real estate business in Metairie, where she “actively sold real estate for 30 years.” The couple opened Antique Maison on January 1, 2007, after they renovated the building that was destroyed during Hurricane Katrina. Antique Maison, LLC became a mall that rented booths to different dealers who had lost their own antique malls to Katrina. Soon, the business became a success, “providing dealers with their own business,” and offering a variety of merchandise to customers.
“We have everything from industrial furniture and decor, to steam punk creations, nostalgia, vintage, and antique furniture, hand-crafted, vintage, and new silver and gold jewelry, home decor, a variety of art, books, historical collections, tools, a large collection of vinyl records, record players, light fixtures, toys and games, hunting equipment, bottle trees and driftwood, custom-made, hand-crafted wood items, handmade signs, and much more.” These are just a few of the items that are available in the shop. Each time you visit, there is sure to be something unique, as “new and interesting merchandise” arrives to Antique Maison daily.
Most of Sylvia’s customers include loyal buyers, tourists, local and out of state interior designers and vendors, people that scout and buy for others, and buyers for second homes on the coast. She loves all of her patrons, and has a strong passion for this line of work. Whether you are in the market for antiques, or simply want to browse, Antique Maison is not to be missed. Sylvia is not wrong in saying that everyone can find something they love in her shop. Visit and enjoy it as a “hot spot” this month. On December 8, during Second Saturday, there will be a band, sponsored by Hancock Bank, for everyone to enjoy while they marvel in the treasures to be found at this Bay St. Louis favorite.
Smith & Lens 106 S 2nd St, Bay St. Louis, MS 39540 2282546006
Smith & Lens, a gallery located on Second Street inside of “a quirky little building,” gets its name from its owners. Sandy Maggio, a smith, and Ann Madden, a photographer, work to bring art to the community.
The two first met when they were paired up during Nora Wikoff’s limited business, and then showed their art inside of the same building that we know and love today. When that particular business closed, Sandy and Ann took over, and everything “happened very quickly.” Fast forward five years, and the gallery is better than ever.
Each month, a different artist is featured inside of Smith & Lens, along with Sandy’s metal jewelry and Ann’s photography. These artists never fail to bring inspiration not only to the gallery, but to everyone that comes in and browses. Sandy and Ann feature local artists that they already know, ones that they find from social media and art fairs, and ones that simply “walk in off the street and want to show us their work.” They enjoy all of the artists, and especially enjoy finding new ones and watching them grow and gain a following. When they do their pop up gallery each year, they love to check in with artists that they have known and see how much their art has evolved. They hope to keep their support and continue to support all of these artists. Both Maggio & Madden also hope that art lovers continue to visit the gallery and that the gallery turns more people into art lovers.
The two cite the community as their favorite part of owning the gallery. “It feels like we’re really participating in our community and the community has embraced it and it is very satisfying…the way that it’s been embraced sort of reiterates all that we really love about Bay St. Louis” Madden says. Maggio agrees, saying that she wants the gallery to be a place “where people want to come and hang out and spend time,” adding, “the people of Bay St. Louis have been super super good to us.”
Two events that Smith & Lens features each year include Frida Fest in July, and Dolly Should, coming up on January 12. These are not to be missed, as they are truly unique to Bay St. Louis and have “grown in an exciting and wonderful way.” Also not to be missed is this particular Second Saturday Art walk on December 8, as it marks Smith & Lens’ fifth birthday. There are sure to be some surprises during this weekend, according to the two, including entertainment by Valerie Sassyfras from 5-6pm, sponsored by The People’s Bank, “debuting our new Golden Spinderella filled with treasures for all our 5th birthday, hotspot, gallery a Go Go extravaganza!” Enjoy this gallery, and experience its “reach far outside of its walls” in Old Town.
Stories and photos by Caroline St. Paul
