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Last week the Hancock Chamber of Commerce cut the ribbon welcoming Gurkha Cigar Lounge, a premium cigar experience, to the Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast. The event also served as a StartUp Gulf Coast Business After Hours, hosted in collaboration with the Gulf Coast Business Council (GCBC), celebrating both local entrepreneurship and regional innovation.

Located within Hollywood Casino, the Gurkha Cigar Lounge offers an elevated experience for cigar enthusiasts. Guests are invited to explore a curated selection of cigar brands—including the renowned Gurkha line—alongside a variety of premium lighters, cutters, and accessories.

In addition to cigar offerings, the lounge features a sophisticated cocktail menu, served in a sleek and welcoming atmosphere.

The ribbon cutting was more than a celebration of a new business—it was a Business After Hours: StartUp Gulf Coast networking event. StartUp is a new initiative launched by the GCBC in partnership with Innovate Mississippi, and is designed to fuel entrepreneurship, support innovation, and accelerate high-growth startups across Coastal MS.

“Mississippi has a deep well of untapped entrepreneurial talent,” said GCBC President & CEO Jamie Miller. “StartUp Gulf Coast is about giving that talent the support and structure it needs to thrive—right here on the Coast.”

StartUp Gulf Coast offers targeted support for innovation-driven ventures, from early-stage founders refining their business models to post-revenue startups preparing to scale. Through partnerships with state-level programs like Co-Builders, the initiative connects entrepreneurs to funding, mentors, service providers, and accelerator opportunities.

The event brought together business leaders, entrepreneurs, and community members to celebrate not only the opening of a premier new lounge, but also local innovation and opportunity growth.

With its grand opening, the Gurkha Cigar Lounge sets a new standard for leisure on the Coast—while events like StartUp Gulf Coast signal a bold future for business in Hancock County and beyond.

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