1736 Magazine - Vision for the Future

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ON THE STREET Downtown Augusta exhibits resiliency By MARGARET WOODARD The global pandemic of 2020 certainly tested downtown Augusta’s resiliency but is losing the battle as we enter 2021. We still have a ways to go to get to the other side but preliminary indicators predict a brighter than expected outcome for our city center. Downtown Augusta is so much to so many. It is where our residents come to enjoy a great meal or concert and attend our many unique festivals and events. On average, there are 16,000 employees and customers in downtown on a daily basis and each typically visits 4.5 places of business. It is where our visitors come to see our cultural amenities and stay in our hotels. Eighty percent of our visitors travel 30 miles and 20 percent, 250 miles. Finally, it is home to many of our small businesses in Augusta. On Broad Street from 13th to Seventh there are 238 small businesses alone. They include chef-owned restaurants, specialty retail stores and art galleries. These small businesses give us our unique character, provide jobs and fill our tax coffers. In April, our workforce left and worked remotely from home, our residents and visitors were sheltered in place and our nonessential businesses were closed. In a matter of days, we went from a vibrant city center with flourishing businesses to a ghost town with so much uncertainty it was difficult to navigate the waters. Margaret Woodard, with the Augusta Downtown Development Authority, says “Small businesses are the faces of downtown.” [FILE/THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE] Our customer base plummeted to zero and our computer inboxes were filled with nationwide predictions. It was estimated that 35% of small businesses across the nation would not survive the pandemic and would close their doors for good by the end of 2020. Many of our small businesses were able to shift quickly, adopting creative new programs and crafting new ways of doing business. Some garnered state and regional recognition but all of them made us proud. Most everyone realized quickly the importance of an online presence and got their products on a website. Second City Distillery shifted from bourbon distilling to making hand sanitizer. Keen Printing began manufacturing and installing plastic sneeze guards across the region. Many businesses made curbside pick-up easy and provided home delivery. There were many successful Go Fund Me campaigns. Finally, there was a strong call to action from the Downtown Development Authority, Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau and other outside agencies to shop local. The City of Augusta established a small business relief fund program and waived alcohol license fees. As we enter 2021, a preliminary windshield survey of the Broad Street Corridor reveals we are far from the predicted national closure rate and will see a net gain of new businesses for 2020. Yes, we lost several small busi- 6 | 1736magazine.com
The Broad Street Bullies Grill is one of several new restaurants that opened during the pandemic. [MICHAEL HOLAHAN/THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE] nesses in 2020. Bees Knees, The Hive and Sunshine Bakery have closed indefinitely. American Journeyman and Curvitude have closed their brick and mortar and gone to an online presence. Artsy Me has closed its doors. But many new faces have joined us. Tech 4 Success and Pineapple Tavern opened days before the pandemic and have thrived. In a recent article in the Augusta Chronicle, Richard Green owner of Tech 4 Success said, “Opportunity knocked. With many people homebound, there was a huge increase in the need for computers.” Allan Soto, owner of Vinea Capital and Pineapple Tavern was recently named Small Entrepreneur of the Year by the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce. Other new restaurants include Edgars Above Broad, Laziza Mediterranean, Broad Street Bullies Grill and Pasches Soul Food Caribbean. New specialty retail stores include Sew & Company, Shelvie Jean Boutique, Masters of Paint Gallery and Grantski Records. Additional businesses are slated to open in the first quarter of 2021 and the housing market remains strong with several new projects under construction. Please continue to support the many wonderful small businesses in downtown Augusta as we enter the New Year. Restaurants and bars are still operating at a mandated reduced capacity and still need you more than ever. New businesses will continue to open in downtowns where there is strong loyalty and customer base. We have proven that in downtown Augusta. Let’s continue the momentum to get to the other side of this pandemic. Small businesses are the faces of downtown. They are our neighbors and friends. They are the heart and soul of downtown Augusta. Margaret Woodard is the executive director of the Augusta Downtown Development Authority. 1736magazine.com | 7
Page 1 and 2: WINTER 2021 WATERWAYS EDITION FINAL
Page 3 and 4: 62 A PRODUCT OF PRESIDENT TONY BERN
Page 5: The view of downtown Augusta, Ga.,
Page 9: Jeff Gorelick and Bonnie Ruben are
Page 12 and 13: Dr. Benjamin Casella, left, and his
Page 14: Sean Wight, chef and owner of downt
Page 17 and 18: Jared Williams, left, and John Dunn
Page 19 and 20: Iconic local business By JOE HOTCHK
Page 21 and 22: Though Hildebrandt’s started maki
Page 23 and 24: The Hildebrandt family photographed
Page 25 and 26: Bob and Flo Morris check out the me
Page 27 and 28: All-Star Candidate Richmond Count
Page 29 and 30: Antoine Williamson opened Broad Str
Page 31 and 32: he noticed a lot of people would go
Page 33 and 34: Downtown Augusta expected to grow a
Page 35 and 36: We have a partnership agreement for
Page 37 and 38: The Georgia Cyber Center in downtow
Page 39 and 40: An artist’s rendering shows the p
Page 41 and 42: WHILE NOT EVERY PROPOSED PROJECT MA
Page 43 and 44: next six or seven years. Three muse
Page 45 and 46: the McDuffie Museum in Thomson. Thr
Page 47 and 48: High-efficiency chiller. Improvedco
Page 49 and 50: Augusta’s plans to replace James
Page 51 and 52: Money to build a replacement for th
Page 53 and 54: Augusta riverfront, Lock and Dam fu
Page 55 and 56: The locks give manmade control over
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Guests and dignitaries stand on the
Page 59 and 60:
The snagboat Macon docks at the New
Page 61 and 62:
Jumpstart your business with energy
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Alex Griffin MANAGEMENT 2807 WYLDS
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ABOVE: “Invasive,” by Jen Garre
Page 67 and 68:
“What a Wonderful World,” by Le
Page 69 and 70:
“Popsicles,” by Craig Gray of K
Page 71:
FINAL WORDS Time to experience the
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