VALDOSTA —
Yes, it’s here. In just two weeks, most children in the county will be back at school. Already.
It really does seem as though the summer has flown by, and I’m not sure anybody is really ready yet for school to start again, but it is and we all have to be prepared.
Despite the fact that the state has done away with the Sales Tax Holiday this year, many retailers in the area are discounting items for back to school sales, from clothing to school supplies, in an effort to help consumers this year.
This is already going to be a tough year for the school systems and for many families, so anything the retailers can do to help will be appreciated.
School lists are available at most retailers and on school websites, and all the information you need about the school systems is in this week’s special Back to School section in the Times.
There are also a number of organizations who are helping students in need with back to school items, so if you have extra, try sharing with The Salvation Army, Second Harvest, Boys and Girls Club, Sheriff’s Boys Ranch, etc.
A reader asked me to include if there is a sales tax holiday in Florida, and there is, but it’s not until Aug. 13-15, a week or more after school starts here. And if you go there to shop, you are taking money away from our local economy and our local school systems, so you ought to consider keeping it in Valdosta this year.
Try looking at the sales flyers in the newspaper every day, and looking at our website online for some great deals and coupons, and you should be able to save some money this year on your back to school shopping. Even if the little ones aren’t so happy about their summer ending so soon.
Business Roundup
The new McKey Tennis Complex has really shaped up in recent weeks, as the building that will house offices, the pro shop and a viewing area is being completed.
Courts will be poured soon, and hopefully, when they reopen in a few weeks, the congestion at the few open courts in town will be minimized.
The new antiques store, Into the Past, is featured in this section today. The new store is located in downtown Valdosta.
I’ve mentioned them a couple of times, but the apartments on Bemiss Road are coming along nicely.
It looks like Carlton Outdoors is closed and will not be reopening in another location, and apparently Lessard’s Upholstery is also gone from its location on North Ashley Street.
If you missed the transportation meetings in town this week, you really should check out the maps and take the surveys online at both the city’s website and the MPO’s website. You might be surprised at some of the things you see. Now is the time for the public comment period, after which only city officials will have the final say.
There is even an area to comment about the types of buildings you’d like to see in downtown Valdosta, but it was so long, I got about 10 minutes into it and quit. I need to try it again when I have more time, although I think the questions and photos could be pared down a bit.
But again, it’s your opportunity to let officials know how you feel about the ways in which your tax dollars are spent.
That’s about it for this week, but if there’s something I missed, please let me know!
Business
Related Photos
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Work continues on the new tennis center at McKey Park. Once completed, the new facility will have six courts, concessions, covered observation deck and other features. Paul Leavy
Business This Week: Back to School Shopping
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Gayla’s Grits: A Taste of the South
What started as a unique Christmas gift for family and friends has turned into the go-to business for the best grits in town and, possibly, the world.
Gayla’s Grits, owned by husband-and-wife duo Kevin and Gayla Shaw, began in 1997 while grinding naturally grown white corn for personal consumption. -
Graduates heading into the real world
Over the last week or so, thousands of high school students in our area have graduated and are preparing for their next step in life. Some are going straight to college, others are seeking military careers, some are going straight to work, and there are most likely quite a few who have no real plans or idea what to do next.
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Have A Happy Free Birthday!
The only thing better than a birthday is a free birthday. I would know, because my birthday was on Friday and, yes, I am absolutely using the newspaper as a platform for a free birthday ad because Facebook just doesn’t do it for me anymore.
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Valdosta Shared Office Space
VALDOSTA — Though Valdosta Shared Office Space is not new to Valdosta, it is newly green. The first and only shared office space in Valdosta owned by Gino Fina, just became the first Downtown Valdosta business to work with the Georgia Cities Foundation’s Green Communities Fund to implement environmentally friendly, energy-efficient improvements, reducing energy consumption upwards of 50 percent. -
Downtown businesses to be mobbed this week
A few years ago, when everyone started talking through social media, flash mobs became the new in thing to do. Primarily in the big cities, although VSU did their own a year or two ago, a designated place and time would be set and masses of people would descend on these sites, sometimes dancing, sometimes singing, sometimes acting obnoxiously.
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Keep tails wagging when your budget is lagging
I have a problem. Though I am a tight-wad when it comes to spending my money, I cannot resist the calling to buy adorable toys, collars and, yes, even clothes for my three cuter than all get out fur babies.
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The Valdosta Mall: Revamped and Ready for Business!
VALDOSTA — The Valdosta Mall has made tremendous strides since its rebranding away from Colonial Mall in 2007 and it’s refocus in 2008 when it made a move from serving the community to being a part of the community.
“We had taken for granted our place in the community for a long time,” said Jerry Weller, general manager of the Valdosta Mall. “We don’t do that anymore.” -
Keep your clothes looking fab to avoid looking drab
As I get older, I’m beginning to learn that there are more important things than clothes. Ugh! It pains me to even form that sentence; however, it’s true.
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Business This Week: Happy Mother’s Day!
Today is the one day a year dedicated to celebrating mothers, although we all use their guidance and wisdom every day. But for this one day, their sacrifices, kindness, love, and advice are recognized, hopefully, by the children they raised or helped to raise. It might not even be those born to them, as most mothers don’t limit their love and it flows over onto their children’s friends, family members, and the children they influence in the classroom, in Sunday school and in volunteer activities.
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Downtown will have a new beat this week
The Brown Bag Concert Series produced by Valdosta Main Street will begin again on Monday and last all week.
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