The Old Town Merchants Association (OTMA) is celebrating man’s best friends for May’s Second Saturday in the Bay.
For May, Bay St. Louis is going to the dogs! BSL is the pet-friendliest town on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and this month we are celebrating our four-legged friends. Merchants will offer doggone-good specials throughout Old Town, with treats for dogs and their humans. The Hancock County Sheriff’s K-9 unit will be on Cue Street greeting visitors in the morning and will be doing a demonstration in the depot area at 3 pm with a special pet basket giveaway from Café BoneJour.
And you don’t want to miss the “May the Fourth Be With You” costume contest at Café BoneJour! Downtown, artist Shannon Mullen will be sketching dog families, and Sassy Bird Interiors will be offering a discount for shoppers that look like or are dressed like their pups. For more happenings, visit Old Town Bay St. Louis on Facebook.
This month, OTMA highlights the unique offerings along “Depot Row” on Blaize Avenue. You will find arts organizations, a premier pet boutique, a casual footwear shop, a fine wine merchant, and a cocktail lounge reminiscent of the 1920s, making a stroll through this part of Old Town an adventure.
The Arts Hancock County – 405 Blaize Avenue
Tues-Fri 10 am -5 pm, Sat 10 am -3 pm
At the corner of Blaize and Sycamore Streets, the appearance of the colorful Arts Hancock County building confirms you have arrived at the hub for artistic expression in town. With a mission to encourage and foster artistic growth, the organization connects artists to the community through a robust calendar of events like art shows, classes, a monthly “Art Without Walls” show and sale on most Second Saturdays, and their annual Arts Alive festival held in March. There are always gallery displays and happenings to highlight local artists. Their recently completed landscaping project invites you to wander, explore their outdoor events, and immerse yourself in BSL’s vibrant arts scene.
Bay St. Louis Little Theater – 398 Blaize Avenue
The Bay St. Louis Little Theatre is a local community playhouse that has been showcasing exceptional regional talent since 1946. Its home on Blaize Avenue is an official Mississippi Landmark with numerous awards to its credit. It is the only theater to receive the Governor’s Arts Award (2013), the nonprofit’s first year in its current location. The storied building can reconfigure its auditorium space to host traditional stage shows, theater-in-the-round, concerts, comedy shows, and more. The BSLLT has provided a consistent avenue for the arts for decades, and it continues to evolve as a cornerstone in the Bay St. Louis arts scene.
Café BoneJour Pet Boutique – 146 Blaize Avenue
Mon-Sat 10 am – 4 pm, Sun 11 am – 4 pm
This is your one-stop shop for pampering your pets with love, luxury, and wellness. Specializing in nutritious pet food, healthy treats, and natural chews, Café BoneJour believes in supporting your pet’s wellness from the inside out. You will find curated pet accessories, adorable apparel, fun toys, and unique gifts for pets and their people. Whether you are shopping for clean ingredients or cute collars, there is something special waiting. Café BoneJour makes it easy (and fun) to spoil your pet with only the best.
Flip Flop Shops – 142 Blaize Avenue, Unit A
Mon-Sat 10 am – 6 pm | Sun 12-6 pm | Closed Tuesday
The premiere flip flop and leisure footwear shop on the Gulf Coast is located along Depot Row. Carrying the fantastic brands you know and love, the Flip Flops Shop is a must-stop for casual beach footwear, accessories, and apparel. Looking for a new pair of flips or a fun beach print shirt? You will find the trendiest styles from OluKai, Reef, Crocs, oofos, and more at the Flip Flop Shops.
The Hen House – 122 Blaize Avenue
Wed-Thurs 3-9 pm, Fri 2-10 pm, Sat 12-10 pm, Sun 12-6 pm
Hen House is a vibrant wine and cocktail bar with a speakeasy-like atmosphere reminiscent of the late 1920s. The goal was to create a place that is elevated, yet relaxed – perfect for a casual date, enjoying a day out with friends, or relishing a girl’s day with a chilled bottle of rosé. Hen House offers an ambiance of warmth and sophistication, creating the ideal setting to unwind and connect. You will find a large array of craft cocktails, wine, beer, and small bites. Live music is offered most nights featuring local musicians in their new, lush patio area.