‘It is a little bit of a detriment’: Local businesses look to rebound after winter storm closures
NewTown Macon is offering customers who make a purchase with a downtown business between Thursday, January 23 and Sunday, January 26 the chance to win a staycation. The winner of the staycation giveaway will receive a one-night stay at Hotel Forty Five and a $250 gift card to the downtown business of their choice.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — While many people were excited about Tuesday’s winter storm bringing the region levels of snowfall it hadn’t seen in years, it cost some local businesses a day or more worth of revenue.
“It does affect our business,” said Kelley Wrigley, the Owner of Kudzu Seafood Company in downtown Macon. “It is a little bit of a detriment.”
Wrigley says the storm cost her business a day and a half’s worth of normal business hours and income, but she felt that keeping employees with longer commutes off the roads was a must. She says missing out on earnings during this time of year is even harder for businesses downtown, as they are no longer benefiting from the foot traffic that came with the Macon Christmas Lights Extravaganza. That’s why she and employees were hard at work Thursday clearing the path for patrons to come inside.
“We’ve got the sidewalks ready to go” Wrigley said. “We’ve put some salt down, hot water, got them all de-iced, so, we’re ready for business.”
Quint Rogers, the manager of Ocmulgee Outfitters, says closing up shop in the middle of the week is never ideal, but he’s hopeful the storm showed people in the area just how important it is to stay prepared.
“The weather we’re hoping will actually help move some of this product,” Rogers said. “Now that things are a little bit melted, and people can get around, we’re hoping to see some customers downtown.”
With doors back open, Wrigley and Rogers encourage everyone to be safe on the road and keep local stores in mind in your return to normalcy.
“Please come downtown and support local businesses as much as you can,” Wrigley said.
“Local business and local tax dollars go into things that help the community,” Rogers said. “That’s something that’s important about shopping local.”
Staycation opportunity
NewTown Macon is offering customers who make a purchase with a downtown business between Thursday, January 23 and Sunday, January 26 the chance to win a staycation. The winner of the staycation giveaway will receive a one-night stay at Hotel Forty Five and a $250 gift card to the downtown business of their choice. To enter for the chance to win, participants need to make a purchase at a downtown business and upload their receipt here.
