Terese Nicovich is eager to welcome guests to her new home — which just happens to be the birthplace of Barq’s root beer.
Since spring of 2022, the retired elementary school teacher has been breathing fresh life into the historic building on Keller Avenue, once known as Biloxi Artesian Bottling Works. Edward Barq, Sr. and his wife, Elodie, acquired the property when they moved to the Coast from New Orleans in 1897 — and it’s the very spot where he perfected the formula for Barq’s root beer. Nicovich often wonders how Barq reacted when he tasted the final, iconic recipe and knew he had a winner.
“The syrup was invented in 1898 on this site, and the first bottle was poured right here!” she exclaims. “Guests will be invited to stand in that very spot and will see the syrup recipe that Edward Barq. Sr. left on the wall in his very own handwriting over a century ago.”
The renovation is in its final phase, and when it’s complete, Nicovich will move in to serve as the building’s full-time proprietress — a retirement plan she never would have imagined. The building’s owner, Thomas Quave, Edward Barq Sr.’s great grandson and a long-time friend of Nicovich, preserved the structure so this family legacy could be shared with future generations.
“As the owner of the business that occupies the building,” Nicovich says, “I am blessed to be the one to live here and share our Southern hospitality with all who visit.”
‘WE WANT TO TELL THESE STORIES’
When the renovation began, the hurricane-battered building was propped up to keep it from collapsing. The contractor even had doubts that the structure, listed as one of Mississippi’s most endangered historic sites, could be saved.
Now, the landmark is undergoing a transformation that honors its past while securing its future. Aiming for an October opening date, Nicovich intends to personally greet each visitor at the front door.
“They will be immersed in artifacts dating back to 1898 that tell the story of how ‘the pop’ came to be, the people who played an integral role in its development and distribution and how Barq’s is woven into the fabric that makes Biloxi, and our state, so very special,” she says.
After a tour, overnight guests can settle into one of three king-size luxury suites — one of which has its own private balcony under the branches of a live oak. A family-style dining area will seat 10, and a beverage bar under the stairwell will offer coffee, tea, water and, of course, an endless supply of Barq’s. Nicovich also will provide an assortment of fresh breads, cakes and pastries, all made on site.
“We anticipate this will be an ideal place for tourists to stay,” Nicovich says, “and also a great place for snowbirds to settle in during the winter months.”
Those who want to view the property and the artifacts will be able to call ahead to schedule a private tour. Ever the teacher, Nicovich also envisions hosting school groups and giving students an unforgettable living history experience.
“We want to tell these stories; we want people to come in, and I want to show them the hospitality my mother and father taught me, make them feel comfortable in those four walls and let them know that they’re always welcome to come back,” Nicovich says. “It’s a very special place, and it deserves to be alive for another two centuries.”