A local institution closes its doors

By Staff
Sept. 9, 2001
The outgoing tide of the Mississippi economy caught another Meridian business in its grip last week as Soul Steam Feed Works, in its 109th year of business, closed. Declining profits, partly caused by the closings of nearby customers for its industrial services and machinery, were cited by company president Bob Soul as the reason.
In recent times, the company had already downsized and sold off a subsidiary whose operations were moved to North Carolina. Thirteen employees were left when the dreaded announcement was made.
While the doors will close, the name Soul will forever be embedded in the streets and sidewalks of Meridian through the cast iron manhole covers that are visible at nearly every turn. The company did fine work and it is regrettable that its operations will end.