Miner’s Toy Store hosts rededication ceremony for stolen statue

Miner’s Toy Store held the ribbon cutting for its newly replaced statue Wednesday evening.

The original statue was stolen in 2022.

The store along with the help of the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce helped raise funds within the community to replace the statue.

The dedication ceremony also had the community come together, kids and their parents came out for face painting, treats, live music, and more to honor the downtown landmark.

Store owner Merileigh Miner-Furr and her daughter Alice say they are thankful to see the statue back.

“It’s beautiful to see the community come together and support the toy store and really just see what the toy store means to everybody that lives here in Ocean Springs and all along the Gulf Coast,” Miner-Furr said. “Everybody chipped in and helped. Right, the children were bringing up $1 or $5 and everybody came together. They’re like, you know what, we are not going to let this bad thing stay. We are bringing good back.”

The previous statue from 2015 was dedicated to the original owners, the late Mr. and Mrs. Miner.