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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 - Old Town!
 Cathy
Benvenutti was tapped as a Chamber volunteer “sharp
shopper” when she was overheard making a
commitment: “I did all my shopping in Hancock
County last year. And this Christmas, I’m doing the
same thing – only this year, it’ll be even easier
because there are lots more places open. It’s
definitely time to shop local!”
She readily accepted the first block
of Main Street in Old Town Bay St. Louis as her
assignment (watch for other Old Town shops to be
featured in a separate article soon. Cathy began
her mission in
Deborah Kennedy’s Jewelry Designs.
She took one look around and grinned. “Send a woman
into a jewelry store and she’ll want one of
everything,” she said. “And this year I’ve been
very, VERY good!”
 Designer
Deborah Kennedy helped Cathy try on several of the
signature lariat style necklaces that glimmered
throughout the shop.
Prices of Kennedy’s creations range from $5 -
$1500. Cathy fell for a
“Katrina
Lariat,” created from aquamarine, beach glass,
crystal and freshwater pearls. Deborah recovered
the materials from the remains of her store after
the hurricane. The one-of-a-kind piece is comprised
of three separate lariats which can also be worn
separately ($450). Cathy received a “sweetheart
shopping” card with details of the find listed.
“This ought to make my husband’s job a little
easier,” she said, smiling.
Deborah’s designs have graced the
collections of many national celebrities – and she’s
been especially popular with the cast of the daytime
drama, “The Bold and the Beautiful.” Throughout the
month of December, the shop will be displaying many
fabulous “Bold and Beautiful” wardrobe items that
will be auctioned off for charity in January.
Just next door at
Bay
Books, owner Kay Gough welcomes Cathy into the
comfortable bookstore. The large, cheery room has
shelves packed with a variety of books and has the
feel of an old fashioned library – with the addition
of two cats snoozing on shelves or gliding easily
beneath tables. Bay Books has become a community
gathering spot and one can often find readers
settled into the upholstered chairs in the back. A
children’s’ area offers many possibilities for young
readers, as well as a charming selection of stuffed
animals. Kay explains that the store has books for
every age and interest, including those by regional
authors not available elsewhere.
Cathy chose a recent publication
called “Southern Seasons.” It’s a hard-bound
cookbook with an unusual twist: The classic
Southern recipes and menus of acclaimed chef Robert
St. John are complemented by a collection of 59
stunning watercolors by artist Wyatt Waters. The
book will be well loved by both art lovers and cooks
($35). Bay Books offers gift certificates and can
order any book in print, having it available for
pick-up in just a few days.
 Around
the corner in the same building is the delightful
Balstrop Gallery. Only open since March, it’s
already made a splash by representing some of the
Coast’s favorite artists. Walter Anderson’s
daughters, Mary and Leif, show their work at
Balstrop’s as well as Anderson’s grandson, Chris
Stedly. Among other well-loved regional artists
represented are Ted Rose, Pat Odom and Terry Blake
Edwards. The fine art on the walls in the gallery
is beautifully displayed alongside fine crafts,
including jewelry and pottery.
Collectors of Master Potter Talle
Johnson’s work will be thrilled to find a large
range of his pottery in Balstrop’s (which has a
Coast exclusive). Johnson has the reputation of
crafting distinctive and elegant works, priced from
$150 - $650. A large round one in earth tones with
subtle shadings of purple around the bottom was
Cathy’s final pick ($150). “The piece would be a
perfect accent for almost any décor,” she said.
 Crossing
the street,
Twin Lights is housed in a
restored Creole Cottage. However, this unusual
store refuses to be confined to the interior – in
back, the lush garden and open porch are decorated
with fountains, gazing balls, wind chimes, swings
and other outdoor furnishings – all for sale.
Paintings (especially created to withstand patio
settings) grace the exterior walls. Any gardener
would think they had stumbled into a bit of
Paradise.
Inside, the cottage brims with
paintings, home furnishings and decorative items
crafted by some of the top artisans in the country.
Cathy is taken with a series of wall hangings,
sculptures made from copper with bronze accents.
Some are painted with shimmering colorful finishes,
but she’s especially drawn to a grouping of lifelike
shrimp rendered in bright copper. A single
prawn-sized shrimp is priced at $35 and a large wall
hanging featuring a cluster of five is priced at
$165. Other creatures represented are fish, crabs,
sea turtles and a flock of tropical parrots and
peacocks in all shapes and sizes.
Cathy heads back towards
the beach and within a few steps stands before a
colorful tangerine building. The size of the
storefront gives no hint to the voluminous interior
- the building stretches back almost an entire city
block. Beneath this single roof resides
Maggie
May’s and a grouping of eight other stores and
galleries called the Shops of Serenity – all
specializing in something different.
Cathy is informed on entering that if
she spends $100 in any single shop, she’ll receive a
complimentary gift valued at $15, wrapped and ready
to put under the tree. Like any bargain-hunter,
she’s ecstatic and sets to exploring.
Maggie May’s is an enchanting mix of
gallery and gift shop. On the art end of the
spectrum, it features works by over 20 regional
artists - including the ever-popular Jim Bonner with
his nature inspired “southern art.” Bonner is best
known for his depiction of the coastal legend, the
Friendship Oak and Maggie May’s sells his original
paintings and prints. Paintings by Nona Lee, jewelry
by Pam Yoder and pottery by Casey Willems are other
notable finds.
Sharp shoppers hunting
for gift items will find blown glass ornaments and
vases, fine olive oil based soaps, Eden Natural bath
products and “Blessing Bowls” – pewter and glass
bowls that commemorate happy life events. Cathy was
captivated by a roomful of clocks, ranging from
antique reproductions to contemporary whimsical
timekeepers. Sizes also varied, from nook fillers
to room-makers. All clocks have modern quartz
movements and run on batteries. They are priced
from $75 - $480. Cathy’s hardest decision of the
day was picking which she liked best.
Lulu’s is nestled right along side
and specializes in gourmet food, table and
cookware. According to owner Nancy Moynan, some of
her personal favorites are the Rothschild line of
sauces, preserves, pasta sauces and salsas. “I talk
about it all the time and I eat it all the time,”
she said. “These products make your life easy,
impress your guests and make you look like a star.”
Nancy
 also
loves Leonard Mountain gourmet stuffed olives
(perfect for martini lovers) and soups. Delectable
food items are displayed alongside wine openers,
cheese spreaders, salad sets and every imaginable
(and imaginative) tabletop accessory.
A bright Tabasco brand “hot sauce”
ornament attracted Cathy’s eye and she snagged
several as hostess gifts. Other fun Tabasco brand
items found in Lulu’s are dishtowels and a
four-bottle variety gift set, beautifully boxed.
Nancy pointed out the all-time favorite: A “hot
sauce holster” in camouflage colors that hangs from
a belt. She said that it’s always a big hit as a
gift for hunters, fishermen and military personnel.
Lured further into the interior of
the building by an array of colorful displays, Cathy
veers off next into a room that houses the
Purple
Snapper. Owner Mickey Evans has gathered a
collection of work by local artists that is as
fanciful as the name of the shop. Area potters Joy
Merton and Wanda Bullock have created functional
work that is both microwave and dishwasher safe.
Fused glasswork, container gardens, paintings by
Sylvia Corban and
 Sory
Yager, sterling jewelry and copper yard art by Janet
Dinda are just a few of the highlights. Pet owners
can even bring in photos of their dogs or cats for
an original “pet portrait” by Lisa Wilbourn.
Displayed in one section of the shop
are creatures that seem to frolic on the shelves.
Mickey says that these contemporary primitive
sculptures are created by artist Gail Hendrickson,
who begins by cutting the shapes from 1/8” plates of
steel with an oxy-acetylene torch. She then
meticulously hand-paints each figure with intricate
patterns. The pieces are priced from $30 - $200.
Cathy picked out an impish cat eyeing a dragonfly
that flitters over its head.
 The
Old Town favorite,
Fashion Express, is located a few
steps away. Owner Jean Ann Thriffiley has been
pleasing coast customers for over 15 years.
According to Jean Ann, one of her secrets is always
having something new and different on display.
Currently, she’s featuring accent furniture, lamps,
sterling and beaded jewelry and accessories for both
wardrobe and home.
One thing that hasn’t changed through
the years is her love of Maurice Milleur designs.
The Gulfport artist – originally from Belgium –
began making pewter jewelry in 1985. Several
designs have turned into classics, like his “Gumbo”
and “Mississippi” necklaces. Milleur eventually
created glassware, tabletop accessories and serving
dishes, all signed, all dishwasher and microwave
safe ($12 – $120). This year, Jean Ann is carrying
Milleur’s first Christmas ornament, a delicate
dragonfly resting on a branch. Cathy recognized the
distinctive pewter work as soon as she entered the
shop and picked out a set of delicate fleur de lis
cocktail forks for a friend ($29.50).
 When
she completed her shopping, Cathy crossed Main
Street to a newly renovated building with a French
Quarter flair. A bright inflatable Santa and a
gaggle of North Pole friends celebrated on the
balcony above the door to
Gabbie’s. Inside the
lounge, the owner herself greeted Cathy and
immediately struck up a conversation to explain the
name of the establishment. “It’s been my nickname
since I was five years old,” Gabbie said. “My mom
said I never met a stranger.”
There are no strangers at Gabbie's.
Customers from all walks of life seem to feel at
home (“Everybody is welcome here!”) with the pool
tables, dartboards and TVs showing sporting events.
Cathy guessed it’d be a great refuge for husbands
while wives were shopping in the neighborhood.
Gabbie added that on Friday nights, guitarist Johnny
Fung pairs up with vocalist Lady Patrice (“she’s got
an AWESOME voice”) to perform music from Mo’ Town
and other oldies from 10pm – 2 am.
As Cathy heads for home,
her enthusiasm - so apparent at the beginning of the
shopping expedition - hadn’t faded. Her smile, if
possible, was even brighter. “You gotta love this
place,” she said. “We’ve got great shops, great
food, great art and people with wonderful hearts.
You can find lots of values by shopping locally and
you’ll also find something money can’t buy – a
strong community spirit. What better gift could you
give or get?”
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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