Bay Crafts,
Hey ladies, it's Susan the gal who does all her christmas shopping with you from Slidell. I'm lost this year...I wonder shops with nothing but junk to look at. I hope that you all are doing OK. I cried when I found out about the Bay. I've moved to Portland for a few years until things settle down, then I'll be back. Wishing you the best, Susan

Just curious as to how many shops were able to save some of the inventory by evacuating? What a tragedy if at least part of the art wasn't saved.

Can any one tell me if the Old Star theater is still there?? I grew up in a house on Washington Street, a white house with brick columns on either side of the driveway a half block away from the Star. Mr. Dantagnan's (a long time realtor) house was across the street. Big Pecan tree in our front yard, big oak in Mr. D's. No one can seem to tell me if the little house is still there. It was well over 100 years old and had survived many storms, but maybe not this one. Please help me know. Thanks

Please be advised that the grand reopening of Shabby Chic Designs will be this Saturday, December 10th. Come by to savor the finest handmade chocolates on the Gulf Coast and also purchase slipcovers, decorative accessories, and architectural elements (cypress doors, etc.) for your new/rebuilt home. We will be Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Good news....When most of us that had shops on Main St. felt we had no where to go, two wonderful people, Jenice McCardell and Mark Currier began a mission of mercy. They own Clay Creations at 220 Main St. and invited many of the Artists in town to set up shop in what was the old Funky Rose. We now celebrate "Second Saturday" EVERY Saturday from 4-8pm. We still have free food, drinks and wonderful entertainment. If you haven't heard Johnny Feng sing the blues, you ain't heard nothing! The shop is also open Mon-Fri 11-5. Come by and see the amazing Post-Katrina art and let us know how you are doing. WE ARE STAYING AND REBUILDING! The Artists at 220 Main St.

Does anyone know what happened to the owners of one of the craft shops on Main Street? I think his name is Robert, and he's from Ireland. He works in the shop and his wife makes most of the vintage-looking crafts like clocks and signs. The shop had lots of gadgets and the owners would strike up a conversation with you and make you feel like your best friend. Of course, most shopowners are like this in Waveland, which makes it one of the best places on earth!

I'm thrilled to hear that the artists are carrying on with the spirit of Second Saturday. That was always a lot of fun and it really brought out the character of the old town. I will miss wandering through the shops but this post gives me hope that it will be back one day, hopefully better than ever!

But is anyone else concerned that all this news coverage may forever change the quiet, small towns?

Where is Shabby Chic Designs located? Would like to get by there and also go to 2nd Saturday again. Our house burned 12/03, had started to rebuild May this year but it went under 12 feet of water so we're starting over again (re-re-building). I was so sad because all the placed that I shopped in the Bay/Waveland area and the Pass had been destroyed but it seems I may be able to refurnish my house after all. Good luck!

Unfortunately, the old Star Theatre is no more. Just a pile of bricks. One woman who I knew drowned when the building went down. This was a real landmark for me also.

Steve- the star is gone- it was known as the Big E for the last several years and was no longer used for any thin other than a home beleave it or not. The owner and his family atempted to ride out the hurricane there and his mother-in-Law, Mrs Mollare lost her life in the storm. They as every one on the street were forced to swim for their lives in the heigth of the storm. The entire street all the way to the next block, where the plumbing co. was located was wiped out. There are only 2 structures that made it, both on the right side of the road. I too have many good memories of the old "Star". They can't take those away.

I am still in a daze due to the storm. I lost my house and everything in it in Pass Christian. I had some work in several shops in the bay, and wondered if anything had made it? Best wishes to all - Geri Dendis, Ridgeland, MS

For at least 13 years, Bookends has been my one-stop shop for Christmas. All of my grandchildren have copies of "Where the Wild Things Are", "The Quiltmaker's Gift" and "Harry Potter" and now some are using reference books in college that all were purchased at Bookends.I have my own sizeable stash of books from Bookends - many of them signed by the authors that owner Susan Daigre talked into coming to a small independent bookstore to read and sign for her community. I have spent countless hours and I don't want to know how much money in that store. I mourn.

My wife,mother in-law and my daughter stayed in Bay St. Louis in March of this year and fell in love with the small town/craft charm. we attended the Catholic church and were amazed at the welcome we felt walkinmg in a little late. We shopped all the shops on Main street and others alond 90 and planned on returning in the future and vacation there for a few days in our travels to Alabama where we have relatives. We wish all the residents and shop owners well in the future and hope you rebuild so we can return to visit..

Sarah? Mourn? OMG. I am morning the loss of life here in Bay St. Louis, I am mourning for the people are living in tents with their families. I am mourning the realization that there are tons of people who don’t have a clue to what tomorrow will bring them. I am mourning the fact that we now have to face reality of our situation. Trying to establish how popular this arts district was to attract attention for the DIRE need for emergency rebuilding went out the window. It's time to face up to the reality of Bay St. Louis THEN and NOW. The TOURIST Industry went out with the storm surge. It will be years and years before this city will ever get back to attracting tourists and vacationers here. We are living in a VITAL stage of SURVIVAL. 1000 and 1000 of homes and businesses destroyed amongst a coast of ruins and can anyone believe for a second that the majority of these homeless and jobless people the same people that you must now rely on for revenue and their small incomes are going to shop at your expensive fine shops?

The arts district better pray that the Mayor and City council have a solid plan in place since there wasn't one prior to a natural disaster in the first place and can pull a rabbit out of their hats. We were a TOURIST TOWN short sweet and to the point. While our local government was worrying about protecting and pacifying this little art district prior to the storm they sat idly by as big economy businesses of the game of life moved out and developing in other areas. We don't even have a GROCERY STORE in Bay St. Louis for God sake? I bet now the Mayor is wishing he would have spent more time fighting for big business industries here in the Bay. Grocery stores, home improvement centers, lumber yards, Wal-Marts because the revenue would be pouring in today. There are two walks of life POOR AND RICH? Guess what walk of life is left behind today? It took BALANCE to be in place in Bay St. Louis prior to the storm and we didn’t have that. We were to busy protecting and promoting the OLD TOWN QUIET CHARM. Don’t get me wrong…I LOVED OLD TOWN and I loved everything about the Arts District and my heart goes out to each and everyone of these shop owners and they have suffered great loss just like everyone else. You know what on second thought I am mourning each of these shops owners as well, your lively hoods have now just taken a turn for the worse and it’s a position each of you walked yourselves into when you fought to keep that balancing economy competition of life out of here. Thank God ANNEXATION passed.

We built our home at 1888 N Beach Blvd in the Bay in 1974 on high stilts. Did anything survive on Paradise Point? I live in a retirement home in Delaware now but my heeart belongs to Bay St Louis.My studio web site shows many Bay St. Louis paintings.

Anne E Harris, Hockessin, Delaware
im sorry to say, but everything on south and north beach blvd is either washed away or condemned to the point where it mine as well be gone, no matter its highth.

About a half block up from the old Star Theater on Washington Street was a house with a couple of columns on either side of the driveway. The Plaque on one of the pillars said "The Garden House". is that house still standing? Any pictures would be greatly appreciated, as this was my grandmother's house years ago.

I was wondering if Bay Crafts, or possibly any other shops, have considered temporarily conducting business online. I really love to give the nautilus suncatchers as gifts. Bay Crafts is the only place I know to get them. If anyone knows where I might find the same type suncatchers please let me know.

Sylvia's Stanton's art work can be seen at her web gallery at:

www.sylviastanton.com

I would like to purchase Jim Bonner prints can you give me an address or web site. I so loved shopping at "The Bonner Collection"

Does anyone know what became of the gentleman who owned or ran "F Stop Gallery?"

Does anyone know what happened to Anne Lynch? This was the lovely lady who painted pets on rocks so real you wanted to feed them. She did one from a picture of our beloved dog Suzy. I have thought about her so much in the past year. I would love to know if she is OK.

I am looking for a current address for Jim Bonner. Can anyone advise me? Pio Lyons would like to send a Christmas card to his friend.

HI Everyone, We're up and running. My gallery inside Maggie May's opened 3 months ago at our original site 126 Main St Bay St Louis. I am selling well and am featured this month in the front window. Sylvia Doucet Stanton June 07

We lived in the yellow cottage across from the coffee shop on Court St., like everyone we swam out. We lost everything and are trying to go on with living.
We had to go where there was a hospital due to my heart condition and came to Canton, TX where we had family. I miss all of you so much, worked with Sally Baker when she had Antiques and Things on Main Street.
Our love and prayers remain with all of you.

i live in bay saint louis in the chapel hill beachfront community. things are improving all the time around here. i am glad to see some shops in "Old Town" are back. i miss all of the hustle and bustle of "Old Town". i sincerely believe it will be back bigger and better than ever in the future. i would like to know if anyone knows if Anne Lynch is still on the coast. i bought one of her paintings from her big white dogs series; she is such a talented lady and i enjoyed meeting her. i hope she is fine and still painting.