Page 22 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2025

PEOPLE
A FAMILIAR FACE
at a New Place
Southern Hospitality Supply Welcomes Gretchen Maxwell
story by Lynn Lofton photo by
Katherine Sowers
Southern Hospitality Supply, a dependable supplier to numerous industries, is pleased to add Gretchen Maxwell to its sales team as equipment and supplies representative. The company supplies a wide range of non-perishable products to restaurants, offices, hotels, hospitals and schools. With 30,000 square feet of warehouse space, they keep a large inventory of paper goods, janitorial supplies, printers, toners, promotional items and much more. Customers include doctors’ clinics, schools, offices, restaurants, Keesler Air Force Base, the Naval Base and Stennis Space Center.
“We are focusing on an additional direction that is spearheaded by Gretchen Maxwell, who brings more than 25 years of experience in the Gulf Coast market,” says Managing Partner Kyle Ahlers. “She is looking forward to carrying on those long-term relationships she’s had through the years.”
Ahlers, who has been in the food service industry 30 years, recognizes the importance of relationships and experience that Maxwell brings to the sales force. “At the end of the day it’s about keeping customers happy, being fair and delivering, and Gretchen can do that.”
Maxwell, who was born and raised in Gulfport, knows the area well. “I will be working with small wares – anything you can eat with – and large equipment,” she says, “and I’m excited to get back out and see all my customers.”
She recalls a local hospital executive saying he knows Maxwell can be counted on if he’s buying a $3 part or a $30,000 piece of kitchen equipment. “Customers know they can reach me when they need me,” she said.
Maxwell explains that small wares include basic necessities of paper goods, cups, lids, cutlery, china, glassware, food trays, gloves, hairnets, and aprons, which they sell in addition to large equipment. “We are a one-stop shop,” she said.
Southern Hospitality Supply is in the process of building a showroom, hoping it will open at the end of April at which time they will host an open house. “We will be adding new brands, and the showroom will give customers the opportunity
to see and touch the supplies,” Maxwell said. “We will have more exposure to existing customers and people can come in off the street.”
Gretchen Maxwell.
22 | April 2025
13334 Seaway Rd., Suite 103 Gulfport
228.236.1333 www.southernhospitalitysupply.com