Page 178 - South Mississippi Living - May, 2025

FINAL SAY
LAURA
BOLTON
Realtor, Coldwell Banker Alfonso Realty
My father was the age my children are now when he moved our family from Chicago to Ocean Springs in 1955. We loved everything about growing up in the sleepy, small-town life, as well as the greater Gulf Coast lifestyle. Back then we all lived in Ocean Springs and worked in Biloxi. We enjoyed outstanding schools, safe neighborhoods, a variety of water activities, panoramic Gulf views, and spectacular sunsets.
After spending our early careers in New Orleans, my husband and I returned home to start our family. His career as an architect, as well as the investments we made in residential and commercial real estate, gave us an opportunity to play a small part in Biloxi and Ocean Springs development. Through good times and bad, we saw our civic and business leaders rise to
the occasion to protect our way of life. We also witnessed the superhuman resiliency of Gulf Coast leaders who led us through various disasters. What a joy and honor it has been to be part of this vibrant community.
I joined Coldwell Banker Alfonso Realty a decade ago to continue my real estate investment and sales career. As a realtor with Coldwell, I have seen the tremendous growth opportunity for continued development now especially in downtown areas. More and more businesses are moving to our downtown areas. I continue to marvel at how well real estate values have overcome potential threats and maximized on positive investment growth opportunities over the years.
Today, the Biloxi-Ocean Springs areas and the Mississippi Gulf Coast are sought after locations for second-home buyers, as well as for primary residences of young and old who visit, see what we have to offer and decide to relocate for their own slice of paradise. I am so glad to see developers now bringing residential condos and retail developments to our downtown areas.
My son, Ryan Bolton, also saw the potential growth opportunity in downtown Biloxi, and we partnered together
to open One Thirty One Lameuse on Lameuse, a New Orleans-style restaurant and bar. He, along with so many other restaurants and businesses, have moved to Downtown Biloxi.
The residential condos, townhomes, and retail are exactly what is needed to bring this area to full circle.
I am grateful our three children have the same deep affection for the Coast. They all returned here after school to build their careers and raise our next generation. My oldest daughter
has a growing dental practice, my middle daughter is a nurse practitioner with Memorial Hospital Gulfport, and my son, who owns One Thirty One Lameuse, has more development ideas in the works.
I pray that our generations to come continue to move back home to this beautiful area and become our future leaders. With faith in our leaders and the next generation, I am optimistic about what the future will bring. I am also grateful that some things haven’t changed since my childhood. We all still enjoy outstanding schools, safe neighborhoods, a variety of water activities, panoramic Gulf views, and those spectacular sunsets.
178 | May 2025
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