Mardi Gras sales increase closer to Fat Tuesday

As Mardi Gras celebrations parade throughout the Coast, cases of beads and other toys are sold at Coast Mardi Gras Outlet in Ocean Springs.

Less than a week away from Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras stores are experiencing a rush of business as shoppers flood the stores buying supplies for parades, floats, balls, and parties.

Coast Mardi Gras Outlet in Ocean Springs extended their hours, operating from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. to accommodate the increase in shoppers.

They say the busiest times are at noon while people are on their lunch break or between 3:30 p.m. and close, once everyone’s off work.  Coast Fireworks and Coast Mardi Gras President Leonard Cooper Jr. said, “We’re going to be busy now all the way through Monday. You might get a last few stragglers in here Fat Tuesday morning, but other than that all the way up through Monday and then we may get a few Mardi Gras morning.”

Ocean Springs resident Marion Quave said, “My granddaughter’s going to be in Mardi Gras parade at her school and she’s going to have her own float. We’re just trying to get everything decorated and they’ve just got everything you can imagine here.”

Coast Mardi Gras Outlet has been preparing for this year’s Mardi Gras season for a year and a half since last year’s carnival celebrations were canceled.