Business

Biloxi’s getting a new grocery store after shopping for one since Hurricane Katrina

Caillavet Cottages are now under construction on Caillavet Street in East Biloxi, close to where a new grocery store is proposed to be built.
Caillavet Cottages are now under construction on Caillavet Street in East Biloxi, close to where a new grocery store is proposed to be built. meperez@sunherald.com

“I’m finally getting my grocery store,” Biloxi Councilman Felix Gines said Tuesday, when the council approved the sale of vacant property for a new market.

The land is on the northeast corner of Caillavet and Division streets in East Biloxi, about mid-way between the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino and IP Casino Resort.

A new grocery store could be coming to the northeast corner of Caillavet and Division Street in Biloxi after the city agreed to sell the site.
A new grocery store could be coming to the northeast corner of Caillavet and Division Street in Biloxi after the city agreed to sell the site. City of Biloxi

The city agreed to sell the property to Commerce Street Partners of Daphne, Alabama. The sales price for the 1.38 acres is $200,000.

Gines has sought a market in East Biloxi for more than a decade and nearly had two deals wrapped up until the developers pulled out.

“Now we have a great opportunity for a market,” he said.

The name of the grocery store wasn’t revealed yet, but Gines said the developer has agreed to build with an attractive brick wainscoting and hardie board siding facade.

So much housing was demolished after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the area hasn’t been able to attract a new grocery store because of lack of residents.

Now the downtown is making a comeback, new housing is being built nearby on Caillavet Street and the new entrance to Keesler Air Force Base is just down Division Street, creating traffic in that area.

A rendering shows the exterior of a grocery store proposed on Division and Caillavet streets in Biloxi, with a brick and hardie board exterior.
A rendering shows the exterior of a grocery store proposed on Division and Caillavet streets in Biloxi, with a brick and hardie board exterior. City of Biloxi

This story was originally published July 18, 2023 at 2:28 PM.

Mary Perez
Sun Herald
Mary has won numerous awards for her business and casino articles for the Sun Herald. She also writes about Biloxi, jobs and the new restaurants and development coming to the Coast. She is a fourth-generation journalist. 
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