The locally owned businesses along Main Street in downtown Yazoo City are a part of the community’s long history, with many operations being handled by several generations. From merchants that span back decades to new entrepreneurs creating their own history, the concept of locally shopping is thriving in downtown Yazoo City.
Let’s take a look at a few of the businesses along Main Street, their rich history and the people who live and breathe the “Shop Local” concept daily.
Anderson’s Jewelry
Anderson’s Jewelry now spans three generations and close to seven decades of quality service and products to the local community. Glen and Ethel Anderson moved to Yazoo City in 1947, and Glen founded the local jewelry store in 1956 after purchasing the store operated by Hugh West.
The store would later move to its current location after the original store was damaged by a fire that burned a neighboring theater.
Sixty-seven years later, the store is now operated by Glen’s son and grandson, John and Bentley Anderson, marking three generations of the Anderson family in the business.
“When something needed to be done, Dad told us to get back there and do it because that is how we made our living,” said John, in a 2015 interview. “That’s what put food on the table. He made sure we learned the value of hard work.”
After John graduated from Paris Junior College in Texas in 1978 and completed his jewelry school requirements, he returned to the family store and Main Street, which he said was booming at the time.
“It was wonderful,” John said. “On Friday, there would still be people on the streets at eight o’clock at night.”
Like his father, Bentley would follow John’s same path in jewelry school, graduating in 2012. The business was in his blood, with himself setting his first stone at only eight years old.
What makes Anderson’s Jewelry special and unique from many modern jewelry stores is that John and Bentley are behind the counter with a wealth of knowledge about the business. They take pride in their craft and know exactly how to give the customer what they need. From setting stones to repairing watches to building a custom design, the Anderson family is a cut above the rest.
Bow Ties and Tutus
Yazoo City was eager to have a toy and gift store to call its own. And in August of 2014, Holly Richardson gave the community what it needed with Bow Ties and Tutus.
Considered “the ultimate toy store,” the Main Street business carries a variety of toy and gift brands, suitable for a variety of ages. The store also provides several clothing pieces and other gift ideas for any occasion.
Richardson, a firm supporter of local shopping, also hosts a variety of events for customers and visitors. From visits with Santa to pop-up shops with artists and craftsmen, there is always something exciting to be found within the vibrant store.
Downtown Market
Looking for a place to sell her photography, Vernette Griffin soon discovered that most stores who were likely to sell them were always full. So, her next step? Provide a store that could accommodate a variety of products, craftsmen and artists all under one roof. Along with her energetic husband and natural born salesman, Jet Griffin, Downtown Marketplace was born on Main Street.
It was a totally new concept for Yazoo City, but the local business soon became a popular destination, setting the stage for significant new growth downtown. Jet even took the title as “Mayor of Main Street.”
“This was a God thing,” he said. “God led us right to where we needed to be.”
Jet knew how to be a salesman, owing it to his father, the late Floyd Griffin Sr., who was also an energetic leader downtown. Jet would work alongside his father in their own family business, soaking up his lessons of hard work.
“I started out dusting and sweeping,” Jet said. “I got paid $2 a week, and as far as I was concerned, I was a rich man. Growing up, I always looked up to Daddy. I wanted to be like him.”
The Griffin family tradition continues at Downtown Marketplace, a place where you can find just about anything from gifts to antiques to clothes to food to art and more, all under one roof.
Ferguson’s Furniture
The success of Ferguson’s Furniture spans over five decades and two generations. Arriving at the local store on Main Street in the 1970s and later purchasing the business almost 20 years later, the late Ken Richardson began a foundation that his son Zack continues to this day.
“There is a sense of pride,” Zack said. “My dad started something that hopefully I can pass down to my children.”
And although some of the Ferguson stores began to close over the years, the local store remains successful. And Zack, who often played in the back of the store trucks when he was only four years old, along with his mother Jimmy Sue, continue that tradition of success.
“I love to have customers come in here and say that their house is full of furniture that came from Ferguson’s,” Zack said. “There is a sense of pride about serving your community.”
In fact, Zack’s wife Holly is also a Main Street staple with her store, Bow Ties and Tutus.
Main Street Market
JoAnn Adams is the ultimate optimist. When many people see problems, she and her husband Paul see opportunity. The vibrant downtown atmosphere can be credited to the couple, investing in several pieces of downtown properties. If you drive down Main Street and see a colorful building, it was thanks to them.
Along with the No Smoking Smokehouse and the Main Street Hotel, JoAnn also provides visitors with a variety of shopping booths at the Main Street Market, even complete with a Ben Franklin store sign.
Paul and JoAnn Adams…a couple that truly believes in this city and is willing to lead the way to a brighter future.
Webb’s Pharmacy
When the King family purchased Webb’s Pharmacy in 2018, the local entrepreneurs marked the sixth owners of the business that began over a century ago.
Since the 1880s, the business has offered its services with hometown friendliness. It has been a family business with employees who care about Yazoo.
The pharmacy first opened in 1882 by R.S. Wheless on Main Street. Through the years, the business saw new owners and a new location. When the business arrived at its current location, the Webb family began its own history there. After Ted Webb purchased the business in the 1960s, his son Frank became the face of the pharmacy when he took over the family business in 1993.
Nick and Ann King became the new owners in 2018, eager to continue the foundation that was established in quality service and hometown commitment. They even renovated the pharmacy with original pieces from over the decades.
“Shopping local supports families,” Nick King said. “It helps families send their kids to school, ballet lessons and buy clothes and groceries. We hope people will see the importance in that and come and visit us at Webb’s Pharmacy.”
