The Mississippi Main Street Blog

Mississippi Market Wholesale Show set for June 5-6

It is well-known that Mississippi produces some magnificent home-grown things - from great musicians and singers to talented actors and producers as well as renowned athletes, chefs and artists. What Mississippi also has, which is not publicized nearly as much, is interesting and unique gifts and products.

This is what the Mississippi Market Wholesale Show brings to you. Exhibitors from all over the great Magnolia State will be in one place for buyers on June 5-6 at the Mississippi Trademart in downtown Jackson. Since 1996, the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) has presented the show. The idea is to help budding proprietors introduce their products to buyers, and it helps increase business and sales for all partcipating vendors.

Items on display include jewelry, specialty apparel, pottery, decorative accessories, gourmet foods, garden accessories, art, linens, bath care products, aroma therapy products, candles, children's clothes, furniture and more.

Small companies like Hanging by a Thread in Hernando, Fruit of the Earth Basketry in West Point and Magnolia Honey Jelly & Gifts in Woodville will be found at the show. Tell your storeowner friends to plan a day trip to Jackson to buy for their stores and support Mississippi-made products. Deadline for buyers is May 25th. For more information, visit www.mississippimarket.org. Happy Shopping!

National Main Street Conference in Philadelphia

National Conference Slated for March 30-April 2 with Focus on Entrepreneurship and Diversity

"Diversity and entrepreneurship are the twin engines driving the success of local Main Street communities across the country," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "Entrepreneurs and diversity add to local flavor, create a true reflection of a community's character, and contribute to an authentic identity and exciting business mix - all of which are essential elements that bring customers, tourists, new residents, and unique businesses to Main Street. For more than 25 years, the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Main Streets Center has captured the spirit and diversity of America's commercial corridors by promoting vibrant communities that celebrate the local culture."

Spring Pilgrimages

Spring is here and with it Mississippi's annual Spring Pilgrimages. Don't miss out on a jewel of Southern history - the Antebellum South. You will be transported to the days of long ago while touring restored antebellum homes, walking through blooming gardens, performances in cemeteries, elaborate costumes and Southern hospitality galore!

The Main Street towns of Natchez and Columbus are currently hosting Spring Pilgrimages through April . Visit www.natchezpilgrimage.com and www.columbus-ms.org for more information.

Upstairs Downtown

        "Tour Downtown Greenwood's Premier Apartments & Lofts"

        4 - 8 PM

        Tickets: $20; On Sale at Main Street Station, Greenwood CVB, The Mississippi Gift Company, The Viking Cooking School

      Call 435-0365 or 1-800-748-9064 to reserve your tickets today!

      A portion of proceeds will go to Greenwood Main Street's façade grant program.

Technology Alliance Conference

Mississippi Technology Alliance Conference on High Technology with a special session on WiMAX opportunities

November 28 from 1:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Mississippi TelCom Center Theater in Jackson.

Download Flyer

Download Ticket Form

Download Driving Directions

Beggin' for Banners & Brackets

Rebecca Davis at Pascagoula Main Street asked me to help her find even more Banners & Brackets for her campaign (see below). They have had a successful campaign, and they have banners from all over the country adorning their community. Do they have yours yet?

“Begging for banners and brackets” is a new program inaugurated by the Pascagoula Main Street program.

When Hurricane Katrina blew through Pascagoula on the 29^th of August, 2005, all of the Main Street banners and brackets went with her, and left the community with no resources to replace them. 

Taking an idea from Yacht Clubs who swap burgees, the Design Committee decided to ask the Main Street cities who had adopted Pascagoula after the storm, if they could give one more time, and each supply us with a banner. The idea immediately expanded to asking Main Street programs, and cities, from all over the country, to each send us one banner and one bracket – the banners could be seasonal or city specific – to be hung on all thoroughfares in the city.

The Main Street Director took the idea to the Mississippi Main Street who embraced the program and has taken it even further for listing on the National Main Street site. 

Pascagoula is looking forward to receiving lots of colorful banners, (and brackets) and hope visitors to the city will enjoy looking for the banner from their home town.

Get in touch with Rebecca at rdavis@cityofpascagoula.com.

Save the Date: August Manager's Training

It's gonna be that great! You don't want to miss the Manager's Training coming up on August 16-17, 2007 inn Jackson. The event will be held at the Cabot Lodge - Millsaps on State Street in Jackson, Miss.

It's a jam-packed two-day schedule starting at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday and ending at noon on Friday. Experts who will be on site the entire time not just teaching but networking with you individually. The line-up includes John Baltuch on developing municipal wireless systems, Tripp and Ben Muldrow of ArnettMuldrow in South Carolina. Also, Marianna Hayes and Andy Chapman will be on hand from HALO Business Advisors to answer questions. Marianna will participate in a marketing/branding session with Ben and Tripp on Thursday afternoon as well.

Watch for the full schedule on our web site and via our MMSA email newsletter.