Retail sales in Harrison County increased 51% from 2005 to 2007, and stores are continually opening or expanding all across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, accompanied by numerous restaurants.
In Gulfport, Highway 49 has always been a major hub of retail activity with Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, an outlet mall and numerous smaller shopping centers, and the area continues to experience tremendous growth.
Prime Outlets, located on Highway 49, just south of Interstate 10, has welcomed many new stores in recent years. In 2007, 11 stores opened or expanded, including BCBG Max Azria, which is the number one outlet in its company. Many more have opened or will open in 2008, including Disney Outlet, Ann Taylor Factory Store, Jones New York Outlet and Le Gourmet.
Located just north of Prime Outlets, Crossroads Shopping Center is home to Barnes and Noble, Old Navy and Academy Sports, among others. In early 2008, Starbucks Coffee and Serta Mattress Direct were added to the 600,000-square-foot shopping mall. A Longhorn Steakhouse is currently under construction in the complex and directly across from Crossroads, a new Super Sam’s Club is being constructed that will replace the current Sam’s Club.
Biloxi, the location of Edgewater Mall and Edgewater Village Shopping Center, is receiving its share of the retail action. Recently, Victoria’s Secret expanded its store in the mall, and several new stores were added. Dillard’s, an anchor for the mall, returned in February 2008 following a complete renovation of the 180,000-square-foot store.
Edgewater Village Shopping Center also just completed a full renovation and is filling quickly with tenants. Three restaurants, a Biloxi branch of a Coast Italian eatery, a Mexi-Cali sports bar and an Asian buffet, will join Books-A-Million and over 20 other future shops in the beachfront shopping center.
A new Starbucks also opened in Biloxi this year, and closer to Interstate 10, a new shopping center was recently completed that includes a Smoothie King, WOW Café & Wingery and specialty shops.
Just off Interstate 10 in D’Iberville, Sangani Boulevard has seen an explosion in retail over the past several years. Wal-Mart and Lowe’s have been surrounded by smaller shops and countless restaurants, and new shopping centers are still in progress.
Too much is happening on the Mississippi Gulf Coast to mention it all, and as the area continues to grow, especially through tourism and gaming, the retail will continue to follow and expand.
