Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Fugatt.
Hi Alex, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Eugene saw a lot of potential in the property — both as a piece of Gulf Coast history and as a canvas for something fresh. Rather than building new, he was excited by the idea of breathing new life into an existing motel. Bay St. Louis has such a vibrant, artistic, and tight-knit community, and we wanted The Driftwood to reflect that. From vintage signage and retro-inspired branding to hosting community events, it’s been about blending nostalgia with local culture.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Working with an older property always comes with surprises — plumbing that needs replacing, retrofitting modern systems into a vintage building, and making sure the motel is comfortable without losing its character. Beyond the physical updates, a big challenge has been showing people that “motel” doesn’t mean outdated or run-down. We’ve worked hard to rebrand The Driftwood as something playful, stylish, and high-quality, while still affordable.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I wear a lot of hats – part of the fun of running a small business. On the operations side, I handle events, group bookings, guest experience and making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes focusing heavily on the financial side. On the creative end, I manage our branding and marketing. That includes running promotions and hosting events like movie nights and Driftapalooza. I love that my role blends business strategy with community building.
Honestly, what I’m most proud of isseeing the community rally around The Driftwood. Locals have embraced our events, our guests have left us glowing reviews, and we’ve been able to collaborate with artists, musicians, and merchants in Bay St. Louis. One of the highlights has been creating Driftapalooza — our two-day music and arts festival. It’s exactly the type of event we dreamed of hosting when we first took this on: something that supports local talent, brings people together, and puts The Driftwood on the map.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.driftwoodmotelbsl.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/driftwoodmotelbsl/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562006184715
Image Credits
Camrin Interiano
