Business Five distinctive business concepts debut on the Coast in 2025

This collection of stories spotlights new ventures and expansions launching along the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 2025.

A Buc-ee’s travel center draws attention at exit 24, sparking new shopping centers and additional dining options. Aztecas Restaurant opens with a shaded courtyard that incorporates a live oak tree, and Emmay Mochi Donuts and Hero Claw Kingdom introduce a donut shop and claw arcade in a neighborhood plaza.

Desporte Seafood launches The Crown, an upscale bar and lounge in downtown Ocean Springs, offering wine and cocktails in a refined space, while Lucky Dog, the legendary New Orleans hot dog vendor, serves customers from a cart at Buoys Bar on the beachfront in Bay St. Louis.

Read the stories below.

Work continues on the construction of Buc-ee’s in Harrison County on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. By Hannah Ruhoff

NO. 1: IS BUC-EE’S A ONE-SHOT WONDER FOR SOUTH MISSISSIPPI OR WILL MORE BUSINESSES FOLLOW?

The focus has been to get the new bridge and Buc-ee’s travel center open along I-10 in South Mississippi. Now it’s time to go after more business for that area of Harrison County. | Published January 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

The dining area inside the newest location of Aztecas Restaurant and Cantina in Biloxi on Thursday, March 6, 2025. By Hannah Ruhoff

NO. 2: SHADED MEXICAN COURTYARD CREATES AN AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE AT NEW SOUTH MS RESTAURANT

A new restaurant at the beach in Biloxi features a large Mexican courtyard around an ancient oak tree, views of the water, a bar that opens to the breezes and an extensive menu. | Published March 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

Emmay Mochi Donuts, Desserts & More in D’Iberville on March 12, 2025 By Hannah Ruhoff

NO. 3: DONUTS, ICE CREAM & ‘THE CLAW’ ON THE WAY TO SOUTH MS, WITH ASIAN STREET FOOD TO FOLLOW

The Emmanuel family already owns several popular restaurants and is adding more. The first will bring a new style of donuts and ice cream, with a side room of games. | Published March 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

The future site of The Crown on Washington Avenue in Ocean Springs on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. By Hannah Ruhoff

NO. 4: SEAFOOD ICON ADDING SOMETHING NEW — AN UPSCALE BAR AND LOUNGE IN THIS SOUTH MS DOWNTOWN

The Crown will have royal touches like chandeliers and brass accents for an elegant experience. | Published March 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

Lucky Dogs has been a staple in the French Quarter since 1947.

NO. 5: LEGENDARY NOLA STAND HAS SOLD 21 MILLION HOT DOGS. NOW IT’S ON THE MS COAST

Lucky Dogs have been a staple in the French Quarter since 1947. Here’s where you can get them on the Coast. | Published April 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Poet Wolfe

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.