Wayne Williams, who owns Meridian Underground Music, recently expanded the store, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary this weekend.  

   After more than seven years in the same building at the corner of Eighth Street and 23rd Avenue, 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.

“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.”

Meridian Underground Magazine was housed in the Lamar Building and the first Meridian Underground Music was in the Wagner building. Both buildings have been replaced by the First State Bank building.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 is 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 run MUM.  

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

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. 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.