by ShaCamree Gowdy
Nicole Wyatt Jenkins Photo by Delreco Harris
Walking into The Beacon, floor-to-ceiling murals surround customers from as they walk in the door. The galaxy wall and lunar-surface floors are the perfect touch to the Fondren shop and gallery because, as local artist and co-owner Nicole Wyatt Jenkins says, "Not many people can say they've walked on the moon."
Photo by Delreco Harris The idea for her and husband Jason Jenkins to open The Beacon arose from a problem: They liked to use high-quality art supplies but often could not find them in locally owned stores.
"We figured that if we had that problem, then there were probably plenty of people in the area who did, as well," Wyatt Jenkins says.
The couple opened The Beacon, which they describe as a "consciously curated modern general store," in the former Fondren Art Gallery space at the corner of Duling Avenue and State Street in December 2017, following a soft-opening "makers' market" in November.
The store sells art supplies, vintage goods, bicycles, Mississippi-made products, and items from local artisans and businesses, such as Sweet & Sauer's kombucha and Millsaps College professor Kristen Tordella-Williams' handmade paper.
"We figured that if we had that problem, then there were probably plenty of people in the area who did, as well," Wyatt Jenkins says.
The couple opened The Beacon, which they describe as a "consciously curated modern general store," in the former Fondren Art Gallery space at the corner of Duling Avenue and State Street in December 2017, following a soft-opening "makers' market" in November.
The store sells art supplies, vintage goods, bicycles, Mississippi-made products, and items from local artisans and businesses, such as Sweet & Sauer's kombucha and Millsaps College professor Kristen Tordella-Williams' handmade paper.
Photo by Delreco Harris Wyatt Jenkins says the name for the store came from them wanting to be "a beacon for art" in the Jackson metro area.
"We're located right on the hill in Fondren," she says. "Our goal has always been to offer something that's not available, and share our values for sourcing and sustainability and unique products."
Before opening The Beacon, the couple spent months researching the best products for the community and attending events to find one-of-a-kind items that people would like, in the midst of renovating the space and getting it ready to launch.
One of the greatest things about enjoying the success that the business has had thus far is being able to do it with her husband and co-owner, Wyatt Jenkins says.
"It's amazing to run the business with him," Wyatt Jenkins says. "It's such a blessing to be able to pursue our passion every day and help others do the same, and it's really important to us to help them connect with the community."
"We're located right on the hill in Fondren," she says. "Our goal has always been to offer something that's not available, and share our values for sourcing and sustainability and unique products."
Before opening The Beacon, the couple spent months researching the best products for the community and attending events to find one-of-a-kind items that people would like, in the midst of renovating the space and getting it ready to launch.
One of the greatest things about enjoying the success that the business has had thus far is being able to do it with her husband and co-owner, Wyatt Jenkins says.
"It's amazing to run the business with him," Wyatt Jenkins says. "It's such a blessing to be able to pursue our passion every day and help others do the same, and it's really important to us to help them connect with the community."
Photo by Delreco Harris They have plans to open the gallery space for classes, workshops and exhibitions later this year, placing an emphasis on showcasing under-represented artists in the state.
"We really want to highlight the artistic endeavors of all the Mississippi makers," Nicole Wyatt says.
The business is currently taking applications for artists who are interested in showing work in the gallery. For consideration, email beaconartgallery@gmail.com.
The Beacon (3030 N. State St., 601.919.7477) is open Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Find the business on Instagram and Facebook, or visit thebeaconsupply.com.
"We really want to highlight the artistic endeavors of all the Mississippi makers," Nicole Wyatt says.
The business is currently taking applications for artists who are interested in showing work in the gallery. For consideration, email beaconartgallery@gmail.com.
The Beacon (3030 N. State St., 601.919.7477) is open Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Find the business on Instagram and Facebook, or visit thebeaconsupply.com.
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