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Published Monday, January 05, 2009 in Business

Business owners hoping to prosper in the new year

By Jeff Bishop

The Times-Herald

Most Coweta County business owners seem excited about the prospects for a new year -- and the opportunity to put 2008 and all of its economic turmoil firmly behind them.

Despite the uncertain economy, Celia Hilton of Newnan, Debbie May of Sharpsburg, and Kristie Brooking of Senoia all decided to open new businesses in 2008. Results were mixed.

"Opening the doors to my store was one of those times when everything falls into place and you know that you are going in the right direction," said Hilton, owner of Fine Lines Art & Framing in Newnan.

Although the economy seemed uncertain, at best, "I just knew it could only get better," she said.

"Then the Wall Street crisis hit and I have heard October sales were down for most everyone," Hilton said.

But she hopes that perhaps the worst is over.

"Christmas was much better, and I am anxious to see what the New Year brings," she said.

It helps to have the support of other, more established businesses that have proven that success is possible, she said.

"I have had many of the other downtown business owners come by to wish me success," she said. "It has been discouraging for everyone to see several businesses close their doors.

"My New Year's resolution is to discover the funds for advertising and marketing, as many people still don't know I am here, and I would like to wish a very successful and prosperous New Year to all the businesses in downtown Newnan and in the surrounding area."

In Sharpsburg, Debbie May opened Consign It! Furniture Shop last summer. The economy has been tough on all the downtown Sharpsburg stores, she said -- and the lengthy Streetscapes project also made it hard to keep doing business.

But with a new year comes new hope and new promise, May said.

"We're all still just waiting for everyone to realize we're here," said May. "We feel we have a lot to offer and some great people to meet in Sharpsburg. We're just waiting to be re-discovered, I guess."

Word is going around Sharpsburg that a restaurant may open soon at a strip center that is close by. The merchants hope this is true, since it could stimulate business.

"That would certainly give us a boost," she said.

In spite of the down economic times brought by 2008, "we all have a pretty positive outlook" for next year, May said.

"We're all still very excited about being here," she said. "We're just waiting for the light bulb to go off."

In Senoia, business has been somewhat better, due to the recent openings of Redneck Gourmet and Maguire's Irish Pub and a slew of redevelopment projects.

One of those redevelopment projects involved the gutting and restoration of the old Hutchinston Hardware building on Main Street. Kristie Brooking and Cathy Willis are one of the tenants in the development, as co-owners of You're Invited, which sells invitations, stationery and assorted gifts.

"Obviously, we didn't know what to expect," said Brooking. "But things have really gone well for us, and we're very excited about how things have turned out in Senoia."

She said graduation was "very good for us," and they're looking forward now to the spring wedding season.

She said a synergy seems to be developing now between the downtown businesses, the new restaurants, and established places like The Veranda.

"We've had people from Pine Mountain, Columbus, Griffin, Peachtree City, Sharpsburg, you name it," Brooking said. "When people from out of state come and stay at The Veranda, they come and check us out, too. And if we're hosting a shower, guests can stay at The Veranda and eat at the Redneck.

"We feel very blessed this past year," Brooking said. "And we're looking forward to our one-year anniversary in February."

She said things are just going to get better and better in Senoia, with the completion of the Piedmont Physicians building and the construction of new housing behind the U.S. Post Office.

"You can feel the excitement around here," she said. "There were some people who told me how great it was to be able to do all their Christmas shopping in downtown Senoia. They're just so happy there's some place to shop now. It used to be that there was really no place except Hollberg's Furniture. But all that is changing now.

"We're just really looking forward to the future," she said.