Video: Baldwyn Residents Helping Revitalize Downtown Area

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BALDWYN, MISS. (WCBI) – Clark Richey took a quick break from his work at Quail Ridge Engineering to
check on the renovation of the Old Tom’s Drugstore.

Richey began purchasing older, vacant buildings several years ago. The
lifelong resident wanted to help bring the town back to life.

“I had a desire to impact my hometown, it had died , or had at least
declined like many small towns in rural Mississippi , and we had a great
advantage, we had a lot of historic buildings still here that were intact
enough to be redeveloped,” Richey said.

When he began renovating the buildings, downtown Baldwyn was about 75
percent vacant. Now, there is Lula Lee’s Restaurant, specialty shops, and
above many of the businesses, there are apartments.

“It’s building a community downtown, we have restaurants here now, shopping
here now, music and theater and it’s a nice place to live, convenient, you
don’t have a yard, you don’t have taxes, you just pay your rent, live and
walk down and get a cup of coffee in the morning,” he said.

Just down the street, Woodworkings makes and sells custom furniture and
accessories.

Taylor Witt says Woodworkings is doing great in the historic downtown area.

“We have made lots of new friends, lots of new locals and it’s just been a
great experience. It is technically known as the old post office building,
it has great character, it has hardwood floors, and the wood on the walls
really accents our furniture,” Witt said.

Richey believes the historic downtown area will continue its resurgence, one
project at a time.

Richey has been able to use federal and state grants on some of the projects
in the downtown district.

www.woodworkingsfurniture.com