Along Main Street in Poplarville is a business that builds golf carts for use off of the golf course.

“We build golf carts, but we don’t build them for golfers,” said owner and operator of Bayou Buggies, Hugh Hudson.

The carts built at Bayou Buggies are geared for use around a farm, for riding around a campground and even use on city streets where the law allows.

Bayou Buggies is new to Poplarville, but first opened its doors in Pass Christian in 2012. Two months ago the business relocated to Poplarville after a fire destroyed the Pass Christian location. Hudson said that the fire was just part of God’s plan, because he was already looking at moving the business to Poplarville a month before the fire occurred.

With some help from local insurance agent Crisper Stanford, Hudson said that he was put in touch with Mark Herring.

“Mark Herring called and said, ‘the power’s on and the key is under the mat, move in,’” Hudson said. “It was really awesome how it happened.”

Now, Hudson and his wife and family bought a house in Poplarville and intend to make it their new home.

“Our kids started school here, and we are in the process of buying the building,” Hudson said.

At Bayou Buggies, customers can find a full line of rims and tires to make a golf cart stand out, stereo and speakers and anything else that will make a cart unique and functional for any need.

Hudson said he also carries street legal carts, outfitted at the factory with all of the equipment needed to meet Department of Transportation requirements.

Currently the business is a new dealer for Evolution golf carts, but Hudson said he plans to become a new dealer for Easy Go, Club Car and Yamaha as well.

There’s not a big sign by the road, but motorists passing by the business will notice a golf cart that has been modified with a lifted suspension and equipped with a Ford Escort motor. Hudson said he bought the modified cart and parked it by the road to attract customers, and so far it’s working. A number of people who stopped to ask about the unique golf cart eventually became customers.

Bayou Buggies employs 10 people and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Staff can be reached by calling 228-223-6207 or by stopping in at 1726 S. Main Street, Poplarville. 

Hudson said that he and his staff hold a daily devotion at 9:30 a.m. and he invites the public to stop and join in.

“It’s pretty much the best part of our day,” Hudson said.

The public is also invited to attend a raffle drawing for a custom Bayou Buggy golf cart, to be awarded on Dec. 22 at 1 p.m. Tickets for the raffle can be found at Bayou Buggies, Solace Hospice and other Poplarville area businesses. The funds raised will go toward the Solace Foundation, which helps provide assistance to people in the community who fall between the gap of regular medical attention and hospice care. Tickets are $5 a piece, or five for $20. Hudson said the drawing will also act as a grand opening with refreshments and entertainment for the kids.