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 In this series of articles, we invite
you to follow some of the county’s sharpest shoppers
while they explore Chamber member stores and
restaurants. These volunteers have discovered an
amazing array of fabulous finds– and all in our own
backyard! For more information on this “Shop Local”
campaign, contact the Hancock Chamber of Commerce
office at 228.467.9048. For Shop Information and
Hours click here.
Sharp Shopping -
Hidden Gems!
 As
president of the Waveland Community Coalition,
Charlie
Cornelius
understands the importance of “local support” to the
Coast recovery effort. As a professional sales
consultant, he also recognizes and delights in good
value. These qualities made him a perfect candidate
when he volunteered to be a “Sharp Shopper” for the
Hancock Chamber.
Charlie was assigned a variety of shops – “Hidden
Gems” - along the Highway 90 corridor from Bay St.
Louis through Waveland. He had mapped out his route
in advance and began in Bay St. Louis, stopping
first in
Just Duit, Again
(located across the across the highway from the
Hancock Library, next to Treutel Insurance).
A
flurry of bright flags and windsocks beckoned the
way towards the entrance. As he opened the door,
Charlie inhaled deeply, then smiled broadly. “It
smells like a Christmas tree farm!” he exclaimed.
Manager Wesley Wilson agreed and answered with good
cheer. “All we’re lacking is the sleigh ride and
Santa!”
It
turned out that the source of the intoxicating
spruce scent was a candle by the Thymes company,
called “Fraser Fir.” Charlie considers himself a
“candle connoisseur” and chose the large size that
burns for 80 hours ($44).
 Just
Duit features a full line of the nationally popular
Thymes line -- including body care products – and
all scented with clean, distinctive fragrances.
Hundreds of other fanciful items line the shelves of
the store: Coastal-themed Christmas cards,
ornaments, wind chimes, mobiles and a collection of
hand-painted wooden signs. Charlie found one that
described him perfectly. It read, “Wanted: Jolly
Men Bearing Presents.”
Charlie’s next stop was Zuppardo’s Bay Plaza where a
small shop called
Gulf Coast I.T. Services
is tucked away next to Rickey’s
 Restaurant.
"I.T." stands for Information Technology and is
“geek speak” for anything related to computers,
including repairs, networking and consulting.
Charlie spoke to proprietor Patrick Shapland about a
business website project (the technician maintains
the Chamber site among many others). He was happily
surprised to learn that GCITS would also be a
perfect place to shop for Christmas computer.
Custom computers are the name of the game these
days, according to Patrick. This Microsoft Partner
is specially trained to find solutions to both
personal and business needs. For instance, if one
works extensively with photography and graphics,
Patrick can put together a custom computer package
that has all the bells and whistles, making the
machine fly through the tasks at hand. The
consulting service is free and the lucky recipient
will wind up with a computer that makes life easy
and is competitively priced.
In
the same plaza,
Stirred Up Bay concocts
coffee creations to tantalize the taste buds of any
shopper in need of a lift. Charlie ordered up an
eggnog latte – a rich mix of real eggnog and a fine
quality coffee. Another holiday specialty drink is
“Jingle Bells” coffee, flavored with chocolate and
cinnamon. A wide selection of fresh cupcakes,
muffins and bagels tempt the sternest dieter.
 Charlie
regularly stops into Stirred Up to purchase cans of
French Market coffee – an aromatic blend that is a
favorite of locals. He sends the coffee to friends
who reside in “caffeine-challenged” parts of the
country ($6). This visit, he was also intrigued by
packets of hand-dipped espresso beans, covered in
dark chocolate. The beans taste “divine” and pack
more wallop than a cup of coffee. Charlie thought
they would be perfect to distribute at business
meetings as small gifts ($1.50 for decorative
packet) and he checked into ordering large
quantities. He also learned that the shop makes up
Christmas trays of cookies and muffins for home or
gatherings.
 Santa
had already visited
Imagine That!,
a new store on Highway 90 (across the highway
from Breath’s Boats). By the look of things, the
jolly old man has a mean green thumb: The shelves
and floors of the shop were lined with poinsettias,
in an array of colors rarely seen. Owner Alicia
Cool lives up to her name – she was in the throes of
opening the new location, yet calmly chatted about
the multitude of services the business offers. The
company has a stellar reputation for its creative
event planning services and specializes in décor and
floral arrangements. The award-winning design staff
makes any occasion memorable, from weddings to major
corporate events. The spacious new shop offers a 200
square foot walk-in cooler filled with flowers and
an ample display area for the large variety of
custom gift baskets they create.
For
a good friend, Charlie chose an enormous 4-foot tall
tower of canisters disguised as an impish snowman.
The canisters were filled with everything from
flavored popcorns to exotic chocolates ($100).
Alicia explained that a huge variety of custom gift
baskets can be created – filled with gourmet, baby
gift, spa or Mississippi products. Company logos
can even be incorporated into the designs for large
orders.
 Stepping
into
Countryside Antiques,
Charlie felt he was “entering another era.” The
rooms of the large building brim with enormous
armoires, chests, desks, tables and clocks. The
collections of silver, crystal and porcelain
accessories glimmer alluringly on polished wooden
surfaces. Masterful oil paintings framed in ornate
gilt adorn the walls throughout. Tapestry-like
oriental rugs and cases of estate jewelry are
reflected in grand beveled mirrors.
Charlie learned that Countryside has been in
business for over 30 years and that most of their
offerings have been gracing fine homes around the
world for well over a century. Since his daughter’s
wedding is in the planning stages, Charlie shopped
for an engagement gift that would be heirloom
quality. He considered several “bride’s baskets,”
opulent silver-plated centerpieces with handles that
swivel ($195 – 475). The shop had over a dozen of
the baskets in stock, alongside other elegant
tabletop accessories sure to be treasured for
generations to come.
The Gathering Place
provided yet another oasis from the cares of the
workaday world. The large two-story house is
nestled on a quiet street just off the busy
intersection of Highways 90 and 603. Owner Joanne
Northridge has created a space that serves as a bed
and breakfast, coffee shop, a facility for meetings
or special events and a day spa - all gracefully
incorporated into a single building. The Gathering
Place hosts family events, club meetings and even
romantic weekend getaways. “We’re all about
well-being and rejuvenation,” said Joanne, smiling.
Joanne’s sister,
GeDohnne, offers spa packages on
Sundays and Mondays. The 4-hour sessions can be
tailor-made and offer a selection of massage,
manicure, pedicure, facial, body scrub or
aromatherapy baths. A gourmet lunch completes the
relaxing experience. Charlie decided a gift
certificate for a spa day would be a welcome and
well-deserved present for his wife (4-hour session
with lunch - $125. Groups of up to 4 can be
accommodated).
 In
the world of building,
Markel Industries
(across from Wal-mart SuperCenter on Highway 90), is
a Hancock County fixture. Owner Terry Markel’s
father opened the Waveland business over 50 years
ago and in 2007, it was chosen as the city’s
Business of the Year. The owner is a legend in the
world of local contractors and can most often be
found helping customers behind the store’s high
counter. “If that door is open, I’m here,” said
Terry. He stopped his work briefly to pet the cat
lounging comfortably near the cash register.
According to one local builder, Markel’s has the
reputation for “always selling the best. They’re
all about quality.” In addition to building
materials, specially treated lumber, general
building hardware and composite decking, the store
carries a full line of Stanley tools. Charlie eyed
several and made notes for his personal wish list.
He also tried on several pairs of the extensive
selection of professional quality work gloves. “I
like to make it easy for my family to shop for me,”
he said, grinning.
That Cute Little Shoppe
was Charlie’s final stop for the day
and he seemed to find new energy on entering the
door. The store was filled with customers and
Charlie threaded his way through aisles crowded with
a vast variety of possible gifts for garden, home
and self. Owner Kathy Pinn’s enthusiasm seemed
contagious. “We’ve got it all here,” she said.
“From cottage cute to antique chic!”
Charlie checked out
jewelry by a variety of artists, including sterling
pieces by popular French designer Frederic Du Clos.
Then his eye caught on the extensive assortment of
Christmas ornaments, recognizing some of the lines
as collectibles. He even closely inspected the
children’s department with a colorful mixture of
books, toys and clothing. Kathy wondered if Charlie
was already thinking of grandchildren. He simply
smiled, eyes crinkling.
After leaning in several directions, Charlie finally
chose a Santa lawn ornament for a friend – the
distinctive, classic design certain to make it a
favorite decoration for years to come ($14.99). He
carried Saint Nick out the door of the shop,
twirling it merrily above his head as he walked.
“Talk about Christmas
Spirit!” Charlie said. “Men usually think of
shopping as a chore, but this trip has been
invigorating instead of tiring. I’m going home with
a lot more than a car full of gifts for others!” As
he drove away, the smile on his face looked like it
would be there for a very long time.
This weekend, celebrate in Waveland
with the
Festival of Lights on the Avenue
Sunday, December 9th from
4 – 7pm
Parade to begin at 4:30 p.m and begin south of
Mollere Drive heading to Central Avenue and turning
left to Coleman Avenue where the parade will come to
final stop at the Veterans Memorial for the Lighting
of the City Christmas Tree and a fireworks display!
Individuals and groups are invited to join the
parade, call Tammy at 467-4134.
There will be caroling around the tree and then a
performance by the Holy Trinity Children’s Choir.
Cookies, hot chocolate and other refreshments will
be served by the City of Waveland, the Waveland
Community Coalition & other local merchants. C &
R's of Coleman Avenue will be serving up some
special Christmas gumbo. For more info, contact
Tammy at City Hall, 467-4134 or Kathy at 467-3922.
If Hancock county residents commit to
shopping locally this holiday season, our economy
could receive an estimated 35 million dollar boost.
With that very merry goal in mind, The Hancock
Chamber of Commerce has launched a “Holiday at
Home!” campaign to make local shopping easy and
fun. The campaign will publicize the bounty of our
county - including seasonal events, merchant
specials and a spectacular array of gift ideas.
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