MMSA 2018: Laurel Wins 4 Awards
Good news! Laurel racked up 4 Mississippi Main Street awards at the luncheon this year! Main Street chapters from all over the state attended and fellowshipped together over the vast revitalization that’s sweeping Mississippi.
Continue reading for a run down of what we got!
Home Town Heroes
Main Street Hero – This award recognizes one outstanding community leader or public figure who has displayed an involved commitment to downtown and his or her Main Street program.
Winner: Mallorie Rasberry (nominated by Laurel Main Street)
Director: Judi Holifield
Accepting: Mallorie Rasberry
“There are people who are dedicated volunteers and passionate advocates for their towns. They are at almost every event and are valued. You give them awards to show your appreciation and thank them constantly for their service. Then, there are people who have been there since the beginning, are at every event, and you never get the opportunity to thank them because, if you did, you would never be able to stop. There are people without whom the success of the organization is immediately called into question. That, ladies and gentlemen, is Mallorie Rasberry –Wife, mother, accountant, and fierce advocate for Downtown Laurel, Mississippi. When it comes to service with Laurel Main Street, Mallorie has done it all, including the early mornings and late nights. When thinking about her hard work, what else can we call her besides Laurel Main Street’s Hero?”
Outstanding Adaptive Reuse Project – This award is granted to the best adaptive reuse of a building that has outlived its former use.
Winner: Laurel Main Street – The Burton’s Building
Director: Judi Holifield
Accepting: Josh Nowell
“Laurel Main Street Executive Director, Judi Holifield, used to say that rehabilitating the Burton’s building would be the ultimate domino effect; all of the other buildings along Magnolia Street would be sold if only that one could be. Josh Nowell bought the building and breathed new life into it. The historic character of the building was preserved, including the vintage sign, while new businesses were allowed to make their own mark on it. It is currently full with two retail stores, a co-working space, and the offices for an engineering firm, and a restaurant. The best part is that Judi Holifield was right, and Magnolia Street is now filled with businesses.”
Outstanding Community Transformation – This is an overall award that goes to a Main Street program that has achieved a successful, preservation-based downtown revival.
Winner (Medium Size town): Laurel Main Street
Director: Judi Holifield
Accepting: Lew Yoder
“How do you bring a town back? It’s a question that has no easy answers, and the answers that are given usually require years and more work than one might ever imagine. However, for Downtown Laurel, there is no question that the town has been revived in a powerful way. A stream of dedicated volunteers has made possible a vibrant town full of creative and passionate people. Over a dozen new businesses have opened in the past two years, and more are on the way; vacant buildings are now the exception rather than the rule. LMS is at the center of a web of transformation, where local business doesn’t just survive; it thrives.”
Merchant of the Year – This award recognizes one outstanding local business owner who has a flourishing and innovative business and displayed an involved commitment to downtown and his or her Main Street program.
Winner: Lott Furniture Company (nominated by Laurel Main Street)
Director: Judi Holifield
Accepting: Rodney Rowell
“Lott Furniture Co. is Laurel’s oldest business. They have over a century of history in our small town and a plan to stick around another hundred years. Rodney Rowell and his wife Angie believe that their business is more than just a means to an end; they believe that it is a resource for them to put down roots and live in a community of people united toward a common goal. The business is most certainly a family affair. Rodney’s mother worked there for over 50 years, and he and Angie met at Lott when she started working there as well. The Lott team has taken Mr. Lott’s original business model and adapted it for young people who are moving to Laurel, and they are dedicated to being tireless advocates for their town. Laurel Main Street hopes we never have to know a Downtown Laurel without Lott Furniture!”
We are immensely proud of all the winners at this year’s MMS Awards, which most definitely grants a “Congrats!” to all Laurelites. It’s absolutely amazing that Laurel received “Outstanding Community Transformation” out of all medium-size towns in MS.
How well deserved! Everyone’s hard work is paying off, and will continue to do so years in the future.
We are personally so grateful for the state-wide recognition of “Merchant of the Year”. We’d like to thank each and every person for their unconditional support of Lott Furniture. Co. over the past 100 years of business, especially to our customers. Without you guys, we are not Lott Furniture.
Once again, thank you. Thank you for every purchase, every kind word, and every referral. We just want to bring you home.
-Keri Rowell, Lott Furniture Co.
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Keri Rowell is part of Downtown Laurel’s most historic business, Lott Furniture Co. A Laurel native and Historic District resident, Keri enjoys exploring all of the beautiful spaces and places in her Home Town, discovering the hidden tales buried deep within its history, and sharing them with the world. When you visit Downtown Laurel, you might just spot her out exploring, dreaming up the next story to share with you.
It means so much more to have handmade products and decor in your home, especially if they were made by you! I for one was very impressed by my experience at HAND+made and will definitely be returning again.
It’s no secret that Laurel is on the rise. Although the “secret” or key to the exponential growth we see here is restoration, not renovation. For us, the step forward may just be a step back, and it’s our job to “Bring Laurel back” and make it better than ever.
