House Resolution 8

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING SALMAGUNDI GIFTS OF OCEAN SPRINGS ON THE OCCASION OF THE GIFT SHOP'S CLOSING AFTER 51 YEARS IN BUSINESS.

WHEREAS, Salmagundi Gifts, a popular Ocean Springs, Mississippi, gift shop that has been a fixture in the downtown area for over half a century, will be closing its doors in February 2014 with the retirement of its longtime owner, Mrs. Jeannie Stevenson; and

WHEREAS, fondly thought of by countless regular customers whose childhood memories include visits to the store, Salmagundi Gifts was purchased 23 years ago by Mrs. Jeannie Stevenson from prior owners Bob and Mary Costa because it was always her favorite place to shop; and

WHEREAS, since its opening in 1963, Salmagundi Gifts' resilient owners have withstood many tests of time, from the winds and rain of Hurricanes Camille and Katrina to economic downturns, the fleeting migration of merchants to trendy shopping malls, and most recently, the fall of traditional brick-and-mortar businesses to growing online retailers; and

WHEREAS, while Mrs. Jeannie Stevenson is going to miss her loyal customers, many of whom she now considers friends, the Mobile, Alabama, native is elated about retiring and plans "just to enjoy the rest of [her] life," spending lots of time reconnecting with her children and grandchildren in California and North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, the closing of Salmagundi Gifts is bittersweet for the City of Ocean Springs, which eagerly anticipates, with Mrs. Jeannie Stevenson, the more relaxing days of her retirement yet grieves the end of an era for the Washington Avenue destination that for 51 years has been synonymous in the community with personal service and the latest in art, fine home items and Christmas decor; and

WHEREAS, recognizing the vital role that hometown, independently owned businesses such as Salmagundi Gifts play in the local economy and shaping the overall quality of life in communities throughout our state, it is most fitting that special recognition be given to this longstanding retailer and its invaluable contributions for over half a century to the City of Ocean Springs upon the occasion of the well loved gift shop's closing:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend Salmagundi Gifts on the occasion of the store's closing after 51 years of dedicated, personal service to the City of Ocean Springs and extend to Salmagundi's owner, Mrs. Jeannie Stevenson, best wishes for a long retirement marked by many years of good health, peace and happiness.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Jeannie Stevenson and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.