03-05-2025
Tupelo celebrates The Depot opening
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Area residents arrive for the grand opening celebration at The Depot, a new venue in Downtown Tupelo, on May 2, 2025.
TUPELO — Friday night saw the culmination of months of effort by city officials and contractors with the opening of The Depot in Downtown Tupelo.
The city held a ribbon-cutting in conjunction with the first day of the Blue Suede Cruise, making an event of the evening that included music, food and speeches.
Mayor Todd Jordan opened the ceremony with a history of the project from its conceptualization to construction.
'It's a great addition to downtown,' he said, noting that the project will go a long way in alleviating stress on downtown when events take place that typically shut the streets down. 'I'm proud of it. I hope you're proud of it.'
The building will be multi-purpose, with the city envisioning The Depot as an event space for all manner of festivities. It is equipped with a stage, electricity and restrooms.
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Tupelo Mayor Todd Jordan cuts the ribbon for The Depot during a grand opening ceremony on May 2, 2025, in Tupelo, Miss.
Not only is Blue Suede Cruise happening alongside the $2.2 million venue's opening, but The Depot opened just in time for the farmers market season to begin on May 17. The market, which will move to The Depot, is held each Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon from May to October.
Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association Director Lucia Randle said she was glad the project is finally complete, noting The Depot is a facility she hopes everyone in the city, both residents and visitors alike, can enjoy.
'It's complete elation, such satisfaction in a job well done by so many people,' she said. '(I can) hardly believe I'm standing in this gorgeous facility. It has been so fun to watch it through the months as it came up from the ground.'
She said The Depot is based upon the downtown area's original train depot, with an architectural design that evokes its origin, including a replica of the dome structure of the original train depot's building.
Construction contractors Master Craft Builders handled the project's dirt work and Tek 1 Studio oversaw the architectural design.
Greg Pirkle of Phelps Dunbar, which has an office next door to the new facility, said he was proud to see the project complete, adding that he is also proud the city revitalized the area that once was a deteriorating parking lot downtown.
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Members of the Tupelo Ballet perform a patriotic dance during the grand opening and ribbon cutting for The Depot in Downtown Tupelo.
'We are very excited to see The Depot open,' Pirkle said. 'It is good for us, and it is good for the area.'
