Shop Hall County This Holiday Season
by Chamber Chairman Jimmy Adams
The Holiday Season is here, so let’s all remember to Shop Gainesville-Hall County. As patrons of our local stores, we keep our money in the community and boost our retail industry and local economy.
We must remember that the SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) initiatives, (both capital improvement and education) depend on shopping and spending dollars in Hall County. There are some retailers that offer programs to give a portion of the dollars spent at their establishment to a school chosen by the buyer. This is a great idea to build loyalty on behalf of the buyer.
We need to think of the SPLOST initiatives in the same manner. Regardless of where we shop, we have to pay sales tax, so it makes the most sense to spend money here in Hall County. Think of it this way… would you rather help another county build a new road or would you rather improve our roads here at home or build a new school?
Colonial Lakeshore Mall, located on Pearl Nix Parkway in Gainesville, was built in 1963 and is currently under renovation. The mall features over 70 permanent tenants, with anchor Belk and many nationally recognized stores. Several new holiday retailers are open, and gift certificates are available. 770-535-8877. colonialmalllakeshore.com
The Upstairs Downtown Tour & Holiday Open House sponsored by Main Street Gainesville on November 16 will feature the many unique shops and restaurants around the Historic Downtown Square. Our downtown shops offer everything from equestrian wear to English antiques… hand-made jewelry, pottery and paintings to the latest trends in clothing fashion. The Crystal Plate, Corner Cottage (in the Main Street Market) and Across the Pond are three of our newest members along with Inside/Out Accents, Cozy Corner and Buckskin Fashion & Art. Margaret’s Place has wonderful plants and gifts for any occasion, while Eden on Washington Street offers an array of unique gifts. Specialty restaurants downtown offer gift certificates, gourmet foods, and unique dining experiences. Call Main Street Gainesville for more information on shops around the Square, 770-297-1141.
Unique, locally owned stores are scattered all around town, like The Little Ladybug on Thompson Bridge Road, the Chamber’s October Small Business of the Month, Vine and Cheese, a wine shop newly opened on Thompson Bridge Road, and new outdoor equipment supplier Overflow Outfitters, across Thompson Bridge Road in the Publix Shopping Center. There’s Raspberry Beret over behind Panera Bread off Dawsonville Highway with some great bargains!
The 207,355 square foot Village Shoppes of Gainesville is located on a 20-acre site on Dawsonville Highway with tenants including Old Navy, Marshall’s, Tuesday Morning, Ross Dress for Less.
Shop at Howard’s in Oakwood for hardware, hunting supplies and other gifts. Try Goochie Goos in Mulberry Corners in South Hall for unique children’s clothes and gifts. Visit Poseidon’s Reef in Flowery Branch for exotic fish. All our cities have shops that offer great gifts for Christmas or any season. Jaemor Farms on 365 North offers a great selection of farm products, homemade jellies and jams, and gift baskets.
Don’t forget our larger retailers such as Sam’s Club in Oakwood, the new Best Buy on Dawsonville Highway, Office Depot, Goody’s Family Clothing, Lowe’s and Wal-Mart, along with different unique shops at the Quinlan Museum, Elachee Nature Center and the Northeast Georgia History Center.
The Greater Hall Chamber Welcome Center offers specialty plates and mugs depicting Gainesville-Hall County scenes and historic places – a great holiday gift.
Have a wonderful Holiday Season, and remember spending your dollars in Gainesville-Hall County benefits every citizen.