AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -Now that we are roughly two months out from Hurricane Helene, downtown Augusta is slowly returning to a sense of normalcy.
As Small Business Saturday approaches, businesses we spoke to say they are hoping to see people come in and shop.
Aside from Masters Week, Arts in the Heart and Iron Man, Small Business Saturday creates a lot of money for them, and this year they say they are more than ready for it.
With Hurricane Helene knocking out Iron Man and forcing closure for several days, they say Small Business Saturday is more important this year than it has ever been
Christine Sherer’s heart and soul has been with New Moon Cafe since she opened her doors in 2006.
“I get out of bed at 4 in the morning every day for these guys,” said Sherer.
While some are looking forward to days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, she’s looking forward to the day sandwiched in the middle.
“It’s the day small businesses get to shine,” said Sherer. “It’s a day when consumers are reminded they have all of these amazing small independent family-owned businesses that need them. They count on them.”
This year’s crawl includes 15 different places you can eat, get ahead on Christmas shopping and find some deals, all while accomplishing the goal of shopping locally.
“We’ve brought all of our Christmas stuff in, we’re getting that up Wednesday, we’ve got all of our mugs, or travel mugs and we’re making a new cookie,” she said.
Business owners like Brandy Jones say you’re supporting more than just business, you’re supporting an entire city
“We really want people to support us small businesses,” said Jones, the owner of Tiffinie Bleu Bridal. “Were the life of the city and pretty soon if we don’t, there won’t be any businesses left.”
Downtown Soul City tells us that on Saturday when the doors open at Augusta & Co., the first 150 people will get a bag.
For each participating store you visit, you’ll be entered into a raffle for various prizes and baskets.
Downtown Soul City says this is the 4th year they have put on the crawl, and each year it grows bigger than the last.
John Porter, the director of Downtown Soul City says this is a win-win for everyone involved.
“Downtown Soul City has planned a big retail crawl where you can come out, have some fun and get your holiday shopping done and have the possibility of being rewarded for doing your holiday shopping anyways,” said Porter. “We’ve got a few prize baskets from items from the businesses. The more places you shop the more raffles you get in.”
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