A few months ago, my husband, three kids and I were driving to Florida over a school break when the kids started yelling that they were hungry. We told them we’d stop when we saw something in about twenty minutes because we really need to get some miles in. 

Two minutes later, we passed rows of brightly colored shipping containers. They were fun, modern, & unexpected. We weren't going to miss whatever it was so we pulled over, and suddenly we were in the middle of this incredible little world: restaurants, shops, a playground, tables, a stage. 

Everything families actually want when they’re out. It was vibrant, easy, and full of life. 

We loved it!

A few weeks later, we missed the farmers market in downtown Ocean Springs, again. Between weather, sports, travel, and life, it’s easy to miss that one three hour window each week. 

And when you miss it, that’s it. No farm fresh strawberries, no sourdough bread, no cold‑pressed juice, no sprouts, no fresh eggs, no local carrots. You can track down each vendor individually, but who has time for that?

After complaining about it for way too long, it hit me:

Why not combine the two?

Why not create a place where our community can access good, clean, whole foods every day, not just on Saturday mornings when schedules cooperate?

Why not create a place where people who want to live with less waste can actually do it? Let's offer plastic‑free, reusable, upcycled, beautiful products that replace the big‑box versions.

Why not create a place where kids can play outside, not in front of a screen, while parents grab a coffee or run a few errands?

Why not create a place that feels alive, healthy, modern, and rooted in the values Ocean Springs already cares about?

A place where healthy, sustainable living becomes the easy, practical, and genuinely better choice. You don’t go there because of guilt or values alone, you go there because the food, the products, and the experience are simply better.

That’s how Magnolia Alley began, not as a business plan, but as a real need my family kept bumping into, over and over again.

Our community is ready for a hub like this. And our team is ready to build it. 
Meet the Team 

Stefanie Johnson -- General Partner

Stefanie is a third‑generation entrepreneur with a lifelong commitment to building businesses that make people’s lives better. A finance major and former AmeriCorps VISTA, she began her career in Manhattan as the Director of Volunteers, overseeing more than 2,000 volunteers each year and learning firsthand how to mobilize people around meaningful work. 

For the past ten years, Stefanie has owned and operated a retail business, SwapIt in Massachusetts that transformed secondhand shopping into an experience better than traditional retail. Through thoughtful design, smart systems, and a deep understanding of customer behavior, she proved that sustainable choices don’t have to feel like sacrifice. SwapIt has grown into a thriving community where women found not just clothes, but confidence, connection, and belonging.

As a mom of three, PTO volunteer, and seasoned business owner, Stefanie brings both heart and operational expertise to Magnolia Alley. She has worked across budgets, staffing, and complex logistics, always with the same goal: to make healthy, sustainable living practical, accessible, and genuinely better for families.

Magnolia Alley is the natural next chapter.

Matthew Johnson -- Principal 

Matthew brings over 20 years of experience in engineering, operations management, and construction to Magnolia Alley. Throughout his career, he has played a key role in developing and opening new restaurants, commercial properties, and residential projects by guiding teams, solving complex problems, and ensuring projects come to life on budget and with precision.

He oversees annual operating budgets exceeding $55 million, and has developed projects up to $140 million. Additionally he has managed teams of more than 300 people giving him a deep understanding of what it takes to build and sustain successful, people‑centered environments.

Matthew is a dad of three and a dedicated volunteer soccer coach. It's a role that reflects his steady leadership, patience, and commitment to the community.

Bo Wigley -- Construction Consultant 

Bo brings over 22 years of experience in full‑service construction and project management across the Southeast United States. He has overseen projects with budgets exceeding $39 million, managing complex builds with the same care and attention he brings to smaller, community‑focused projects.

A graduate of Mississippi State University, Bo holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management of Construction & Land Development. His portfolio spans 190‑unit apartment complexes, large‑scale commercial developments, and the construction of solar fields. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with community leaders to ensure every project not only meets expectations but exceeds them.

Bo is also a loving dad of three, and his grounded, family‑centered approach shows up in everything he does. His blend of technical expertise, steady leadership, and genuine care makes him an invaluable partner as Magnolia Alley comes to life.