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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E449]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NORTH AUGUSTA BUSINESSES GET CREATIVE
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HON. JOE WILSON
of south carolina
in the house of representatives
Friday, May 15, 2020
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, it was heartwarming that
on May 7th, during National Small Business Week, The Augusta Chronicle
identified North Augusta businesses, getting creative. As we all work
together to defeat the Wuhan Virus, it is inspiring to see small
businesses working together.
I include in Record the following article developed by Staff Writer
Miguel Legoas.
With a tent, a couple tables, and a dedicated staff, The
Purple Hull restaurant made a DIY drive-through that has done
so well owner Ray Henderson said they may make a more
permanent version.
``I think it's developed some business that we didn't have,
so I think we may go and actually build off the back-end and
put us a drive through there,'' he said.
Henderson said the pandemic dealt a serious blow to the
business, as it has done with many other small businesses,
which is why they had to get creative in order to persevere.
Jenny and Jesse Elliot, of Shoppe313, have flexed those
same creative muscles with their online sales and by creating
kits for parents so they can build their own teddy bears from
home.
Suzanne Fanning, of the Pink Dipper ice cream ship, also
reiterated Henderson's point, and since re-opening her store
has adjusted hours, put up a partition between the customers
and employees, updated their delivery service, and has done
more with curbside pickup.
``Every day is a learning process being open during the
pandemic,'' Fanning said. ``What we learned and what we're
trying to teach our staff is that, in this craziness, we're
having to be really flexible. . . (and) most customers have
been really pretty understanding of the changes.''
But some of the customers in the North Augusta area have
done much more than be courteous. Parks Pharmacy store
manager Karen Powell said some customers, in their own time
and with their own money, surprised the pharmacy with
handmade masks for the entire staff.
``It was very touching, it spoke very loudly that someone
cared,'' Powell said.
``We've got a little GroupMe chat, we've got emails
shooting back and forth when all this was kicking up, the
Chamber and North Augusta Forward were super, super helpful
in just educating us all about the resources that are
available,'' Fanning said.
Henderson said they have tried to help other businesses,
ones that could be considered competitors. When Wife Saver
said it would be closing, they offered encouragement and
help, and did the same with a nearby Mexican establishment.
They even provided DeShawn's Seafood and Chicken Restaurant
with some much-needed supplies.
``We all kinda doing our own thing and not really focused
on each other,'' Henderson said. ``I think it made it where
we were more willing to open up and say ``Hey, I need your
help.''
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