Vidalia Main Street
Shop Local. Eat Local. Spend Local.
Your community will thank you.
Creating a Vision for the
Future of Downtown Vidalia
by Tonya Green Parker, Executive Director
2020 has presented us with
different challenges and forced us
to unfortunately cancel many of our
usual events. We’ve had to change our
way of thinking and doing. Supporting
local is a lifestyle, and it is important
now more than ever. Our world has
become a one-click society that is
honestly has a negative impact when
it comes to supporting and sustaining
local. Shopping local means we are
supporting local families and puts
money into our local economy. It
is about keeping that dollar local
and makes much more of an impact
locally than the alternative. So
whether you think you support local
or you can truly say you do, we must
make a conscious effort to think local
and buy local first, if the option is
available. It is literally what keeps
a community alive and thriving. We
thank you for thinking local!
2019 finished strong with
“There’s No Place Like Home for
Christmas” Parade and our DVA
members enjoyed a tacky Christmas
sweater Jingle Mingle (some of them
brought tacky to a new level-LOL). In
February we had our 2nd Chocolate
Walk with grand success! Over 125
shoppers enjoyed special deals and
delicious chocolate treats provided by
18 local merchants. We even had the
merchants get a bit competitive by
having the shoppers vote for the Best
Chocolate Treat award. Participants
seem to love this event, and we plan
to continue it annually.
The Design and Economic
Committee was pleased to roll out
a new BOOST grant, which is a
50% matching grant up to $1500
for business improvements. These
grants will be awarded on a quarterly
basis in an effort to aid our business
owners.
Membership continues to
remain strong and supportive. New
members are a delight, and they
indicate the value of being a part
of our organization. I love hearing
the success stories of networking at
Coffee before Hours or The 5:05, of
gaining new customers because of our
social media presence, or of having
record sales on a DVA event day.
Those stories are why we do what we
do! Remember to shop local, eat local,
spend local; your community will
thank you.
2020 Board of Directors
President
Heather Mead
Million Pines Community Bank
Vice President
Valerie McLendon
Altamaha Bank & Trust
Secretary
Rhonda Jones
Dermatology Associates
Treasurer
Bill Bedingfield
City of Vidalia
Greg Hudgins, GA Power Co.
Charles Tapley, Lovins Realty
Tish Holland, Arlene’s Fine
Jewelry
Gaston Crue, Gaston Crue
Lifestyle & Interiors
Jessie Carter, J Leigh Hair Studio
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numerous benefits…
just being connected helps
you accomplish your goals.
Downtown Vidalia
Association @downtownvidalia
136 TOOMBS COUNTY MAGAZINE
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