Small Business Saturday coming November 30

We all know about Black Friday. And there’s even Cyber Monday.  But Downtown Greensboro is most excited about Small Business Saturday, the day we all shop small and support small business around the country.

Small Business Saturday is November 30, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and it is quickly becoming one of the biggest shopping days of the year for small business.

“Small Business Saturday is a national promotion spearheaded by American Express,” explains Greensboro Main Street Director, Cail Hammons.  “The movement has carved out a niche for small businesses in the busy opening weekend of holiday shopping, and Greensboro is happy to take part in the excitement.” 

Small Businesses Saturday encourages consumers to go out and celebrate small businesses in force. This helps local entrepreneurs offer more jobs, which in turn invigorates the economy. Shoppers go out and support their favorite small business and search for savings on unique merchandise while experiencing spectacular service – a cornerstone of many small businesses.

Consumers are a key part in helping small businesses thrive. By shopping or dining at a small business throughout the year, you’re showing your support for all the small businesses in your neighborhood and reinvesting in the community you call home. 

American Express cardholders can even register for a one-time $10 statement credit when you shop during Small Business Saturday.

“Greensboro is a terrific place to shop year-round,” says Hammons. “But our shop owners are especially looking forward to showing off Greensboro’s famous small town service to our customers this holiday season.”

For more information about Small Business Saturday visit www.shopsmall.com.  For more information about Greensboro’s plans for the holidays visit www.GreensboroHoliday.com.

The Greensboro Business Association voted unanimously at its January meeting to donate $1,000 to support Festival Walk, Downtown Greensboro’s newest park.  The association’s support of Festival Walk will help with the finishing touches around the benches on the walkway.

The Greensboro Business Association (GBA) is an independent group of business owners. 

GBA membership is made up of business from within the city limits of Greensboro. The assocation works as a team to benefit the Greensboro business community and downtown Greensboro.

Greensboro begins preparations for holiday season celebrations

(Greensboro, Ga. – November 12, 2012)  Downtown Greensboro kicked off its holiday season with the downtown merchant’s Holiday Open House, Saturday, November 10. Greensboro’s friendly merchants are ready to help you get all of your holiday shopping done this season – without the hectic traffic and crowds of your typical shopping mall.  Shoppers can take advantage of extended holiday shopping hours on Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the season.

From now until December 21, downtown shoppers can register for a chance to win one of several Greensboro Bucks provided by the Greensboro Business Association.  Shoppers are registered for the drawing each time they make a qualifying purchase at a participating downtown business.  The winners will be selected throughout the season, starting with the Tree Lighting on November 30.

Everyone is invited to the annual Downtown Tree Lighting on November 30. The tree lighting celebration will take place in Downtown Greensboro on the Courthouse Lawn from 6-8 pm following the Festival Walk Grand Opening at 5pm. This is an evening of music, food, and holiday fun. It is rumored that Santa will be in town for pictures. Children, be sure to bring your wish list to historic Downtown Greensboro to give Santa in person.

There will be an old fashioned hay ride through town and your favorite holiday tunes sung ‘round the tree!  Local organizations and non-profits are encouraged to participate in the event.  Your organization is invited to take this opportunity to fundraise with goodies such as hot chocolate, baked goods, hot apple cider, candied apples, and other holiday favorites.  Choirs and choral groups are invited to carol the historic downtown throughout the evening.  To register an organization, choir, or choral group, please contact the Better Hometown office at (706) 453-7674.

Keep an eye on your local news or check out the new Greensboro Holiday website at www.GreensboroHoliday.com for additional details as Greensboro’s Holiday Plans progress and don’t forget to Shop Greensboro First this holiday season!

Fall is here, the holidays are near, and Greensboro is busy preparing for plenty of excitement over the next few months in Lake Oconee’s Hometown.   

Hay bales, corn stalks, and pumpkins don the streets of Greensboro for the fall season. Just around the corner is the annual Downtown Trick or Treat from 5-7 pm on October 31.  Downtown Trick or Treat provides families with a safe environment to participate in the tradition of Trick or Treat.  The event is made possible by the participation of generous downtown Greensboro merchants including Dreamcatcher’s Art, Antiques & Collectibles, C. W. Smith Insurance and The Yesterday Café; just to name a few!  Be sure to stop in at these and other downtown businesses for treats and goodies for children age twelve and under.

Soon after the pumpkins are removed, Greensboro will decorate with garland and lights since there are only thirteen weeks until Christmas.  Downtown Greensboro is already working to help you and your family enjoy the holidays in your hometown! 

The downtown businesses will kick off the season with the Merchant’s Holiday Open House on November 10.  Get a head start on your shopping in Lake Oconee’s Hometown. Expect to find complimentary gift-wrap, hot cider, and other surprises to make your shopping experience more enjoyable. You will not want to miss the great items our local stores will have to share.

The search is on for the perfect tree to help Downtown Greensboro celebrate the holidays.  City leaders and downtown business owners are looking for a tree that will serve as the town tree this holiday season.

“In the past, Greensboro has been fortunate to have a tree donated from someone in the community,” explains Better Hometown Event Coordinator, Kendrick Harris.  “The tree serves as the centerpiece for all of our holiday activities in downtown and helps to create a festive mood during the Christmas shopping season.” 

Greensboro’s tree is typically a fresh cut evergreen.  Past trees have ranged from 20 to 30 feet in height.  The selected tree will stand on the Court House Lawn in historic Greensboro throughout the holiday season.  Organizers hope to have the tree in place by late November.  To suggest or offer a tree, please contact Kendrick Harris at the Greensboro Better Hometown Office at (706) 453-7674.

The Downtown Tree Lighting celebration will take place from 6-8 pm on the evening of Friday, November 30.  Mark your calendars!  Santa will be available for children to visit, there will be an old-fashioned hay ride through town, and your favorite holiday tunes will be sung ‘round the tree!  Come early and enjoy “Soups & Sammies” by Washington Grass Inn while local choirs and choral groups preform throughout the evening.

Local organizations and non-profits are invited to participate in the event by offering winter goodies such as hot chocolate, baked goods, or other holiday favorites.  Choirs and choral groups are invited to carol the historic downtown throughout the evening.  To register your organization, please contact the Better Hometown office at (706) 453-7674.

Downtown Greensboro invites you to join us for fun and excitement in Lake Oconee’s Hometown throughout the fall and holiday seasons.  For more information about downtown Greensboro or for upcoming event information call (706) 453-7674 or visit www.downtowngreensboroga.com. 

Campaign promotes payroll tax incentives for job creation

The City of Greensboro is working to spread the word that an empty store front might be more than it seems.  With approval of the city’s new Opportunity Zone designation, commercial vacancies represent big tax incentives for new or expanding businesses.

“Greensboro has always been a great place to do business,” explains Better Hometown Manager, Cail Hammons.  “We believe the new tax incentives Greensboro offers through the Opportunity Zone make the city even more attractive as a location for new business.”

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs announced Greensboro’s Opportunity Zone designation at the end of 2011.  The zone encourages job creation within the much of the city’s commercial districts.  Businesses located within the zone may receive a $3,500 job tax credit for each new job created with a minimum of two new jobs required. The credit may be claimed for five years.  

Downtown eatery receives mention in national publication

(Greensboro, Ga. – April 13, 2012)  Greensboro’s Potted Geranium Tea Parlor is featured in the April edition of Southern Living Magazine in a special feature about Georgia tea rooms.

Flipping through your copy of the well-known magazine, be sure the notice The Potted Geranium’s article and photos on pages 10 and 12 of the Georgia Living section.

Southern Living raves about the food that can be found at The Potted Geranium, commenting that the “utterly moist and rich signature scone is really part biscuit, part scone that weaves Southern and English traditions together in one bite.” 

Special designation offers tax credit to downtown businesses

(Greensboro, Ga. – January 10, 2012)  The Georgia Department of Community Affairs announced that Greensboro has received an opportunity zone designation to encourage job creation within the much of the city’s commercial districts.  The designation allows for a job tax credit for businesses that create a minimum of two new jobs within the district.

“The city expects the opportunity zone designation to help bring new businesses to Greensboro, particularly to downtown,” explains Better Hometown Manager Cail Hammons.  “The designation will also help any existing businesses to expand and create new jobs.”

Within the city’s opportunity zone, business may receive a $3,500 tax credit for each new job created with a minimum of two new jobs required. The credit may be claimed for five years.