There is nothing more charming than a downtown square small-town Southern city.
Mississippi has plenty of downtown squares that are perfect for a weekend getaway, but the online website “It’s a Southern Thing,” ranks Grenada’s Downtown Square as one of the Top 4 in the state worth visiting.
Grenada’s Historic Downtown Square has always been the heart of the city and county. Sadly, for many years it was neglected and nearly abandoned until capable community members stepped in. Many concerned citizens took notice and have worked hard to transform the area back to its glory days.
If you ask Deborah Bailey, former New Yorker turned Southern real estate developer and owner of Square Market and Molly’s Place, she will resist the urge to tell you its about bringing the place back to it’s former glory. Instead she will tell you her other plans.
“I plan to diversify the Downtown not with traditional retail, but by leveraging cultural, creative, community-focused businesses and venues,” Bailey said.
The notable Downtown Grenada Square is the center of a growing community focusing on arts, entertainment and entrepreneurship. In fact, a mural was recently added to the side of Square Market Coffee Shop on Green Street, and features Delta musicians Ralph Miller, Mo Hubbard, Kayla Braswell, Leo Bud Welch, Tony Browning, Little Willie Farmer and Mississippi Marshall. Bailey wanted the new mural in Grenada’s Downtown Square to honor local Delta musicians.
The Grenada Downtown Innovation District, an organization making an effort to renovate the Square, has made the Historic Downtown Square its heart. In just the last few years, 16 new businesses have opened their doors including seven retail shops, two restaurants and one bed and breakfast. Located on the Square next to the clock tower, there is a Historic Blues Trail Marker that tells about the history of local blues talent in the area.
Mayor Billy F. Collins is proud of how far the Square has come and is proud of Grenada.
“This is such an honor to be named one of the Top 4 squares in Mississippi to visit,” he said. “Grenada is growing and our community knew what we had to do moving forward for our town. Deborah Bailey was a huge key in making this square the success it is and the Grenada Garden Club works hard year round to make the landscaping of the Square just as beautiful as the newly renovated buildings.”
Grenada’s Downtown Square is home to several public events, including the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, Christmas Parade, the Afterglow Film Festival, the long-running Downtown Jubilee and the local Farmers Market. Two event venues on the Square, First & Green, also owned by Bailey, and Jas Cuff, are hosts for a multitude of weddings, reunions, and special events each month.
“This is so exciting,” Bailey concluded. “We are hitting the big time.”
A beautiful landscape with abundant parks, green spaces, a large lake and a historic Downtown District, Grenada offers a warm welcome getaway for any traveler, and a place one could call home. Visitors are always welcome.
