After seven years in the same building at the corner of 8th Street and 23rd Avenue in Meridian, Meridian Underground Music, or MUM, is running out of space.

    MUM owner Wayne Williams is looking to expand and to that end has purchased two adjacent properties in the same building.

    “It’s a very awesome thing for us because the buildings are right next door with an adjoining brick wall,” Williams said.

     “We’d like to add some more product lines, such as comic books and trading cards,” Williams said. “Maybe even have a place for people to come and do their weekend gaming like Magic the Gathering or Pokemon.”

    Williams has hired an engineer to oversee work to knock out a 12-foot section of brick between MUM and the two neighboring spaces to turn the three units into one contiguous space. “It’s really exciting,” Williams said. “It is going to be beautiful.”

    Williams is no stranger to downtown Meridian, having worked most of his career on the same city block.

    After a stint at The Meridian Star as a photographer, in February 1996 Williams started his own publication that focused on music and entertainment called “Meridian Underground Magazine.”

    Meridian Underground Magazine was housed in the Lamar building and the first Meridian Underground Music was in the Wagner building. Both of those buildings have been replaced by the First State Bank building. The store in the Wagner building lasted less than six months.

    “The roof was leaking and ultimately it got torn down,” Williams said.

    MUM moved into a location just up 22nd, which was known at the time as the Coffee Shop, part of the Peavey Melody Music building. When Joy’s Bridal next door closed, Williams expanded into that area as well. The business continued to rock Meridian there for 13 years.

    When asked about the future of business in downtown Meridian Williams said, “Truly, right now is more exciting than any time than I have seen in my business career downtown. Downtown seems to be the focus at this particular point.”    

    Williams was particularly enthused about the recent sale of the Threefoot building and the announcement it would be renovated and converted into an upscale hotel. Williams believes the Threefoot could be “the domino” that starts a chain reaction of development in downtown Meridian. Mix in the activity surrounding the coming Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center and Williams sees an opportunity for business in the city’s core to reach “new levels.”

    Throughout the years, Williams wife, Stacey, has helped her husband run MUM.  

    “We started the store and then got married, and shut the store down for three days to take a honeymoon,” Stacey said.

    In 20 years, those are the only three consecutive days the store has closed.

    Williams also has three children, Rhigel, Dyson, and Jayden who can be seen from time to time in the store, often making crafts that they sell at the store.

    Williams added a mural to the existing location a few years ago and it has become a Meridian icon, with people often stopping to take their picture in front of it. Williams has a contest going on for the most creative photo of the mural. The blue red-headed woman with a tear in her eye is not only depicted on the 20-foot mural but is also featured on various T-shirts, coffee mugs, coasters, stickers and more in the store and around town.    

    Meridian Main Street Director, Karen Rooney shares Williams optimism and excitement for downtown.

    “Wayne Williams has been an active part of downtown for 20 years,” Rooney said. “Not only has he grown his business, Meridian Underground Music, but he has invested in several buildings downtown as well. His most recent acquisition will allow him to double the size of MUM.  Wayne has included his son, Rhigel in growing his business. We are very supportive of MUM and all that Wayne and his family does to promote downtown.”