Main Street Business, Event Earn State Awards
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Mississippi Main Street Association Executive Director Thomas Gregory (left) presents the Outstanding New Business award to The Magnolia Coffee Co. owners, Caitlin and Joe Magnuson.
WATER VALLEY – The Mississippi Main Street Association celebrated achievements of Mississippi Main Street communities at the Annual Awards Luncheon at The South Warehouse in downtown Jackson. The Annual Awards Luncheon honors Main Street directors, board members, and volunteers and recognizes the most outstanding downtown revitalization projects and events from Main Street communities throughout Mississippi. The recognition included two awards presented to the Water Valley Main Street Association (WVMSA) – The Magnolia Coffee Co. was named Outstanding New Business and the Water Valley Wine Down was named Outstanding Retail Promotion.
“Each year, the Annual Awards Luncheon highlights the people, projects, and initiatives that drive economic development in Mississippi’s Main Street communities,” said Thomas Gregory, Mississippi Main Street Association Executive Director. “Our local Main Street programs are strategic in their downtown revitalization work, and we are proud to recognize their accomplishments over the past year.”
The recognition for The Magnolia Coffee Co. stems from turning a vision into reality as owners Joe and Caitlin Magnuson dedicated long hours to provide a gathering place on Main Street while also creating a beautiful downtown event venue. They transformed the courtyard into a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy coffee or simply enjoy Main Street. They even have a mobile shop called “The Copper Top” that will travel to events and serve cool drinks and treats.
The couple visited Water Valley in March, 2022, and knew they wanted to open a coffee shop. Four months later they moved to town and spotted an empty historic building with a courtyard on Main Street and envisioned a place they could make home. They did their own renovations in the following months and immediately got involved with the community by holding soft openings during Main Street events.
They transformed the courtyard into a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy coffee or simply enjoy Main Street. They even have a mobile shop called “The Copper Top” that will travel to events and serve cool drinks and treats.
“We are very thrilled for The Magnolia Coffee Co.,” reported WVMSA director Alyssa Benedict. “They have done a great job bringing something to Water Valley that the community is proud of.”
Water Valley Main Street Association Director Alyssa Benedict (right) and board member Hallie Thomas accept the award for Outstanding Retail Promotion.
The second award was presented to the Water Valley Main Street Association for providing a new retail promotion in March, 2022. The Water Valley Main Street Association worked with restaurants, retail stores and art galleries for an after-hours event that included a wine tasting and unique shopping experience. The association also worked with local wine retailers and sold 225 wristbands for collectible wine tumblers, discounts and special promotions at the participating businesses to make this event a hit!
An estimated 500 people came out to see the show and enjoy downtown Water Valley.
Benedict shared that not only were sales generated at the Water Valley Wine Down, but businesses also gained new customers who have returned to shop.
WVMSA profited more than $1,500 from wristband sales, and the promotion proved to be so successful, Benedict said merchants were ready to do it again. WVMSA now hosts the Wine Down promotion twice a year, in the spring and in the fall.
“I am proud of the (Main Street) board and specifically for Hallie Thomas for chairing the winedown. They created an outstanding retail event for our community,” Benedict added.
