In response to the cancellation of Hubfest, downtown businesses sprung into action by inviting vendors of Hubfest space on their properties to sell their products on Saturday. Thanks to The Porter and Nelson Haskin, owner of Nellie’s Chicken and Daiquiris, Hattiesburgers and Blues, Southbound Bagel Shop, Blu Jazz Café and Bourbon on Front, some local small businesses were able to recover part of the cost and profits lost.
The Pound Cakery, which set up a table in front of Blu Jazz Café, reported selling out within three hours and unbelievable support from community members. “Customers showed up with love, shared sweet memories of their grandmothers’ tea cakes and followed us back to our storefront at 108 Hall Avenue- where the celebration continued,” said owner, Frank Hall. “This is what makes Hattiesburg special. We support each other. We rise together.”
Down at The Porter, DJ Kujho kept the tunes blasting not only while artists worked toward the completion of a mural, but for another group of vendors and the community members that came out to support them. EnerGlow Studio Boutique and Hat Bar, Klassy Krafts, Grissly’s Graveyard, Whisk and Sugar and Wendy’s Witchery were the first of the booths to open, but the number of vendors grew throughout the day.
Despite the circumstances, the Hattiesburg Spirit was on full display and shone bright enough to keep the weather at bay.
