Charming Bay St. Louis Mississippi
Gulf Coast Artist Haven Slowly Recovering from Hurricane Katrina
Feb 28, 2008
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, the artist haven that has served as a New Orleans playground for decades, is ever so slowly recovering from Hurricane Katrina’s ferocious winds and 30-foot tidal surge. However, there is still abundant wreckage and in February 2008 the Gulf coast town did not seem ready for spring-break crowds.
To appreciate the situation, one needs only turn south off U.S. 190 onto Beach Boulevard to visit the Old Town restaurants, entertainment spots and shops. There on the right is Our Lady of the Gulf Church and St. Stanislaus College, the high school that produced all-American Felix "Doc Blanchard" during World War II. The school was damaged by the storm but is back in operation.
But where are the Beach Boulevard restaurants, entertainment spots and shops that used to lure large weekend crowds from at least three states?
The Beach Boulevard Spots Are Gone
They’re gone, completely blown and washed away by Katrina’s winds and water. Two and a half years later, there’s nothing on the bay side of the boulevard, nothing but a concrete walking path, sand and water.
The only Old Town reminder on the opposite side of the boulevard is the ancient Hancock Bank building at the intersection of Beach and Main Street.
The Beach Boulevard nothingness is a startling reminder of the devastating blow that Katrina delivered to this charming town an hour’s drive east of New Orleans. Most of its 8,000 residents lost their homes and most businesses were wiped out.
The recovery spirit can be found in the quiet optimism and a small map that the lady in the Bay Books store offers visitors. The map lists about three dozen shops, restaurants, galleries and offices that are back in business in and near the three-block Old Town area and in the nearby Depot District.
Reopened Shops Reflect Old Town Charm
The list is a reminder of the town charm. The shops and their offerings include:
- Gabbie’s (drink and gab)
- Bohemia, (retro clothing, collectibles and incense)
- Maggie Mays (original local art)
- The Purple Snapper Gallery (a friendly funky gallery of artists and craftsmen)
- Spilt Milk (imported pottery, coffee and original artwork)
- Buttercup (sandwiches, wraps, salads, bakery and ice cream)
- Mockingbird Café (gourmet coffee)
- Serious Bread (where Al Jensen offers handmade artisan breads)
- Shabby Chic Designs (handmade chocolates).
The others in the list are almost as intriguing.
So is a small new building named 'The East Wing." (See Photo)
The most prominent sign of recovery is the new, $260 million four-lane bridge that crosses the bay to Pass Christian on the eastern side. The old two-mile bridge was destroyed by Katrina, turning the seven minute drive to Pass Christian into a 50-minute commute around the bay. For 20 months, Bay St. Louis was mostly cut off from its closest eastern neighbors.
Hollywood Casino Doing Brisk Business
Another major sign of recovery is the brisk business at the Hollywood Casino, where hundreds of Bay St. Louis residents work. The casino, which boasts a hotel, an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course, and two Pete Fountain shows a week, attracts much of its business from New Orleans.
The town has a long list of federally and state financed projects in the works, including a $30 million seawall designed to protect bay residents from future hurricanes.
The town’s quiet charm, art galleries and casino are well on their way to recovery, The Beach Boulevard restaurants, fun spots and spring break crowds may still be a while away.
