[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 92 (Friday, May 15, 2020)]
[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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