More space and more parking were high on Jay Lehmann’s list as he pondered a move from the Canal Street building where his family-owned business had been a fixture for more than 60 years.

In late summer, he made the move, opening a larger facility with plenty of parking at 481B John R. Junkin Drive.

&uot;We’ve probably doubled the business just because of the new location and the parking,&uot; he said.

Still, the move inspired some nostalgia, too, as the Lehmann family for four generations had operated a business near the heart of downtown.

Lehmann follows in the footsteps of a great-grandfather who was a jeweler at the corner of Main and Pearl streets in the late 19th century.

&uot;Butts and Yoste (also now out of business after many decades in the 20th century) bought out my great-grandfather’s business, Lehmann Jewelers,&uot; he said.

His grandfather was the first of three generations of brokers, working from a downtown location in the days when &uot;flour and sugar were still sold in barrels,&uot; Lehmann said.

His father, Jonas Lehmann Jr., followed in the brokerage business and brought son Jay into it early in the son’s life.

&uot;I guess I was working for Daddy by the time I was 6 years old,&uot; he said.

His full-time work with Lehmann Brokerage came in 1962, when he began calling on customers in the Baton Rouge area.

&uot;In 1966, I came back to Natchez and I’ve been here ever since,&uot; Lehmann said.

&uot;Then in 1975 I bought the Russell Company, and that’s when we got into the cash and carry business.&uot;

Today Lehmann Brokerage serves customers of many types, including restaurants, food-service agencies and hotels.

Two years ago, Lehmann hired Robert Ernst as manager of the company.

&uot;That was one of the best things I’ve ever done,&uot; he said. &uot;Robert has made a huge difference in the business, increasing our accounts.&uot;

The new quarters indeed have allowed an increase in his inventory, Lehmann said.

Walk-in customers have a wider number of products from which to choose and more space for browsing, Lehmann said.

&uot;We want walk-in customers,&uot; he said. &uot;We don’t have a minimum purchase; if someone wants to buy a 50-cent box of toothpicks, that’s just fine.&uot;

Generally shoppers save money at the cash-and-carry store, he said.

Lehmann’s store is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

&uot;On Saturdays it’s catch-as-catch-can,&uot; he said. &uot;Sometimes we’re here and sometimes we’re not.&uot;