Ocean Springs named Best Small-Town Shopping Destination by USA Today

Ocean Springs has been named USA Today’s Best Small-Town Shopping Destination by popular vote.

The City of Ocean Springs has been voted USA Today’s Best Small-Town Shopping Destination. This acknowledgement is one Miner’s Toy Store, a nearly 40-year establishment, has been waiting for. Owner Merileigh Miner Furr said, “It’s so wonderful and it’s so gratifying because those of us here in town with small businesses – we love our community and our community loves us. And so, we all nurture each other. And now outsiders that come in have felt the love and the passion of all of us here – and they like it, too.”

There is a variety of shopping throughout Ocean Springs. Guests can find art, clothes, toys, and everything in between.

Some small businesses believe that Downtown Ocean Springs’ key to success is in its history. When most of these downtowns were shutting down in Mississippi, Ocean Springs stayed open.

Downtowns across the nation are hot shopping destinations. Ocean Springs has been able to continually grow theirs. Bay Collection Owner Ariel Taylor said, “I think that downtown, the original downtown of Ocean Springs, has been preserved over the years. It survived going through the Urban Renewal years back in the 60s. They never participated in that, they always kept Washington Avenue – which is the main throughfare through here- open. So, it was just a catalyst for more shops coming.”

If you’re looking for some specific gift, hop down to Ocean Springs and you might just find it.