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Natchez is back in business and that business is looking pretty good, according to some Miss-Lou hoteliers and casino operators.

Some hotels remained open throughout the pandemic shutdown earlier this year and others such as the Natchez Grand closed.

Also Magnolia Bluffs Casino was closed under state orders but was able to reopen on May 21, and the Grand reopened on May 22 after Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves’ issued an order relaxing some of the restrictions that had necessitated closure earlier in the year.

Last week, after approximately a week of operation under Reeves’ relaxed order, most hotels, including those that had remained open throughout the pandemic, said they had seen an uptick in business in the last couple of weeks.

Also, Magnolia Bluff Casino operators said they were happy with business with as many as 800 patrons on weekdays and 2,000 on weekends.

That is good news for the Miss-Lou, indeed, and is an indication that people are ready to come back to the Miss-Lou after weeks of sheltering in place.

Also, visitors trust that Natchez businesses are taking precautions to help curtail potential spread of COVID-19.

We urge businesses to consider betting Shop SMART certified today through Natchez Inc. and the Concordia Economic Development authority to further reassure visitors that the Miss-Lou is a safe place to visit and shop.