Crooked Letter

How did you learn to spell Mississippi?

M – I - CROOKED LETTER – CROOKED LETTER – I – CROOKED LETTER – CROOKED LETTER - I – HUMPBACK – HUMPBACK – I! 

This little jingle makes it much easier to remember the spelling.  And it’s quite a catchy name for a store that sells only Mississippi made products; Crooked Letter.

Reading MS Magazine and learning about the interesting places, people and products of MS has long been a passion of Debbie Mathis.  This passion sparked an idea that Meridian needed a store that would carry only products made in Mississippi.  After a year of research and attending several product shows, she was amazed at the variety and quality of MS made products available.  Crooked Letter opened in 2017, and three years later, new artists and craftsmen still contact her weekly about carrying their own special work.

Crooked Letter shows what a family can do through perseverance and teamwork.  Owners Debbie and Todd Mathis, their sons and their wives, her sisters and even her mother have all had a part in creating this unique market for Mississippi goods.  “Through our membership in the Chamber, we, as local business people, can voice our opinions and ideas about economic growth in our city and county and we can join with others to support our community,” says Debbie.  “My family is proud to be a part of the business community in our hometown.” 

Working together and being a part of the business community is not new to this family; Crooked Letter honors the history of the family business, Taylor Maid Peaches, a working farm in MS for over 100 years.  Many of the furnishings in the store came from her grandparent’s peach farm.  Tables, boxes and baskets used in the store, once held the most delicious peaches in the world; grown right here!  Not only the furnishings, but values were handed down as well:  have a good product, be honest and fair, and treat your customers right; thank them for their business and ask them to come again.

Whenever an occasion calls for a gift; think Crooked Letter, located in downtown Meridian.  They carry beautiful art work, pottery, jewelry, pillows, baby clothes dyed in MS mud, leather goods, bath items, foodstuffs, candles and more; all crafted in Mississippi.  Books about MS, by MS authors, are available, as well as tee shirts, sweat shirts, and kitchen items.  Gift someone (or yourself) with one of these items and say with pride, “Made in Mississippi, by Mississippians.” 

Crooked Letter
2120 B Front St., Meridian, MS