‘Slightly edgy, always fun!’

Soon after Jane Kulpeksa and her husband opened the Carroll House Bed & Breakfast in 2011, they noticed a common refrain among their customers.

“(They) raved about Bay St. Louis and how much they loved coming here,” Kulpeksa says, “but they commented that there was no place to buy a souvenir T-shirt, hat, etc., and that there were no stores that carried beach supplies.”

Recognizing a need and an opportunity, they launched Baytique on 2nd Street in 2012, selling women’s clothing, specialty T-shirts and beach wear, and the venture quickly took off. According to Kulpeksa, the store’s mission remains the same today: to provide unique apparel at affordable prices.

“Our tag line is ‘slightly edgy, always fun,’ which speaks to the atmosphere of our store,” she says. “I try to find unique merchandise for my customers by researching trends, going to markets and, most importantly, listening to my customers and what they are looking for.”

Coming from an occupational therapy background, Kulpeksa never dreamed she’d someday be in retail. However, as the business has grown, so has her passion for the job.

“I believe my success is due in part to my artistic eye,” she says, “and how that relates to buying and displaying the merchandise.”

With that success, the store has continued to evolve and expand. In 2014, Baytique moved to Main Street, where it remains today. In 2016, it took over the space next door, and in January, the business was completely remodeled. In 2019, Kulpeksa’s second store, Salty Soul Outfitters, debuted, selling sportwear for men and women, beach supplies, souvenirs and gifts.

“Our T-shirt lines are our most popular items at Salty Soul,” she says. “At Baytique, we have many clothing lines and jewelry.”

Salty Soul also carries Hey Dude shoes, a very popular footwear line for men and women. Hobo Bags are best sellers at Baytique, along with Umgee apparel, Blowfish shoes, Cutloose apparel, Seet Grace candles and more.

One of the store’s most unique offerings is Dune jewelry, which is made with sand from the local beaches.

“It makes the perfect gift for anyone who loves the Bay,” says Kulpeksa, who strives to stock sustainable, socially conscious merchandise.

While she estimates that more than 75 percent of Baytique’s business is tourists, Kulpeksa says the store also has a strong local following. Even with the pandemic and recent supply chain challenges, the business has managed to almost double its sales over the past year – thanks to the loyalty of its patrons.

“Our customers have been incredibly supportive, and we have noticed a increased effort with people shopping locally,” Kulpeksa says, “which has made all the difference.”