READERS ’ CHOICE BEST LOCAL BUSINESS THE BACK PORCH
By Laura Hyche
Correspondent
This year ’ s Readers ’ Choice Award for Best New Business goes to The Back Porch .
Located at 5570 MS-19 , The Back Porch opened its doors in February .
Three life-long friends , Justin Hardy , Ross Belk , and Andrew Floyd had the idea to open a business promoting the kind of fun they ’ ve enjoyed together for years .
Hardy , co-owner of Rock House Gun and Pawn , says he ’ s known Belk and Floyd for many years . Belk has been working at Rock House and is now co-owner with him , and Belk attended Neshoba Central with Hardy
Hardy says their motto is “ The Back Porch of Meridian : Bringing Families Together Again .”
“ These days , everyone has suffered so much loss , so it ’ s even more important to enjoy each day ,” he said . “ Our store offers anything and everything a person might enjoy sitting on the back porch , hanging out with family and friends .”
From games to grills and from food to beverage coolers , The Back Porch offers custom-made cornhole boards , Adirondack furniture , picnic tables , porch swings , Green Mountain and Weber grills , Bayou Classic Fryers , utility trailers , and more . They even carry a line of authentic and verified Louis Vuitton purses .
Belk adds , “ If you can imagine it , we can build it , or we probably already sell it . We think our selection of spices and sauces is the largest in the city , maybe even the state of Mississippi .”
He says , “ We offer a selection of locally sourced meats among the many food options available . We have a local butcher who provides us with some of
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the best ribeyes I ’ ve ever eaten . For folks with allergies , we also have local honey for sale .”
Floyd explains how neat it is that what started as he and two friends reminiscing about good times on Hardy ’ s back porch has become a Back Porch that can be shared by everyone .
Hardy , Belk , and Floyd agree . When family and friends come together , good things happen , and sitting on the back porch is the perfect place to begin . So , they welcome everyone to their very own Back Porch to get the right start .
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