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Published Wednesday, November 12, 2008 in Local
Merchants: Downtown trick or treat getting out of hand
By Jeff Bishop
The Newnan Times-Herald
The downtown trick or treat in Newnan is getting out of hand, some merchants said at the Tuesday night Main Street Newnan member meeting.
Some merchants said that Halloween is "getting to be a big issue" and that it's getting "sort of crazy."
Merchants complained that they are being criticized both for the type of candy they are giving out and for the amount. They are troubled by the increasing numbers of teens and adults that are trick-or-treating around the Court Square, and also by parents who claim to trick or treat for their children "in absentia" or who ask for candy for babies they hold in their arms.
They're also bugged by parents who tell their children, "Get your candy." Until the children are given the candy, the business owners say, it belongs to the merchant who purchased it.
Merchants said the busing in of children is a disturbing trend. They come not only from Coweta but also from surrounding counties and even from as far away as Gwinnett County, one merchant heard.
The merchants voiced concern that the overwhelming majority of the trick-or-treaters are not customers and do not patronize downtown Newnan at other times of the year. Meanwhile, the deluge on Halloween "totally kills business," one merchant said.
"Sometimes a few would come in. But most of those who were bused in, it was just like marching ants," said Nathan Dockery, co-owner of Espresso Lane.
"We even had some adults coming after 2 p.m. with a grocery bag in hand like they were extorting candy from us," said Samantha McDaniel, co-owner of The Costume Shop.
"But we're all for giving out candy on Halloween," said her husband, Keith Hinze, who also co-owns the shop.
The merchants seemed to agree that the exposure the event gives to downtown businesses is desirable, and that it may result in customers down the road.
But Mary Frances Honea, whose downtown dance studio gave away free dance lessons to kids with coupons given along with the candy, had to admit that all her efforts resulted in "only one" new student.
Linda Kee said the event is a "feel-good thing for us," and she said it generates a lot of positive publicity for downtown.
Hinze suggested "maybe taking a year off" to shake out all the busloads from out of town that have made traveling to Newnan a yearly routine. But Kee suggested the merchants wait and revisit the issue once Christmas is behind them.
"We've got a year to worry about it," said Kee. "Right now, we're feeling good about Christmas.
An increased police presence would help matters, the merchants said, since safety could become an issue as cars speed past the trick-or-treaters.
"We will discuss it," Kee said. "Maybe we could cut back the hours."
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DIAPERS!!!! Those worried about the Food Pantry..you have your drives and your donations (talk about moochers wanting free handouts..look at those patrons..sorry but it's true and you know it, they were the same ones trick or treating in adult costumes with a baby on each hip). There are moochers all over society, get use to it. Back when gas so higher there was a moocher at RaceTrac with a hip baby mooching off others pumping gas. I help folks that really need it.
Posted by Susan at 12:27 PM
An earlier poster got it exactly right. You don't see Ashley Park merchants complaining in the paper. Reporters don't go to their merchant meetings and report on them, because they wouldn't be allowed. Do some research, the Newspaper is a member of Mainstreet, and uses that fact to report on their meetings even though they are a membership organization and do not have open meetings. Also, I know that when I used to work at a shopping mall, like Ashley Park, the mall management actually provided the merchants with the candy they gave out. And believe me there was still a lot of complaining about the people who came and sponged off of the mall.
Posted by Concerned Citizen at 1:25 PM
My children aren't PIGS...they know that candy should be eaten in moderation. The candy my children get at Halloween isn't even enough to fill up a small ziplock bag. We do however still have plenty of candy because they eat maybe a piece a day. Perhaps children would not have so many weight/health issues if they still had candy after 12 days from getting it. Or....is it the parents with the weight problem consuming all the childrens candy. I'd rather be sour and healthy than full of sugar with adult onset diabetes.
Posted by Healthy Mom at 11:10 AM
Some people have gotten so used to Merchants providing free items(coffee,donuts,candy etc.) that they have gotten greedy. The treats are to say Thank You for doing business with us. What's really sad, is when the Merchant does not have the Free Coffee, Donuts, Candy etc. one day, the people are so greedy that they complain. It is all about what they can have for FREE.
Posted by Val at 9:43 AM
I have taken my children to the downtown trick or treating twice. When they were 4 years old in Pre-K. We went this Halloween. We know to go to only those merchants who have balloons outside because they are participating. My child said Thank You to every single person who gave her candy. we ate at quiznos for the first time ever. I don't usually shop downtown because of the 2 hr parking limit. Thank you to those business that participated. We apprciated it!
Posted by Casper at 9:09 AM
If you've still got candy left 12 days after Halloween - well then you got a whole heck of a lot more than you should have. Maybe you wouldn't be so sour if you actually ate it! Good grief people. Get a life!
Posted by Orange Blossom at 1:18 AM
I just can't believe all the crying these merchants are doing about alittle candy or the lack of. Some downtown stores were so stingy with the candy, I don't think it was worth going at all. After all the kids work very hard walking around town for 2 hrs in hopes to get a small amount of treats. The way the merchants give it out the kids have to end up going to wal-mart to purchase more candy, cause all they got was a handful. I can tell you this our family will be throwing away our mainstreet candy, but we will enjoy the candy we recieved at Ashley Park. I don't see them complaining or whinning over candy.
Posted by Unknown at 1:11 AM
For people returning the candy I hope you don't get arrested. last time I checked those deocrations were meant for a display not a protest dumping ground.Heck why not just dump it on the courthouse steps instead. Sounds immature to me.
Posted by C at 10:16 PM
Hey! I got another idea!!! Go to Summer Grove with your free loading hand out and complain and see what you get!!=-)
Posted by TH at 10:11 PM
I'm with "Former Patron". You can have your candy, and your business too. I was under the impression that this was a tradition that was to create a daylight safe zone for our kids. I am truely sorry if we intruded on the "Square" business's that is soo booming now a days. Having to move the courthouse away, the bigger and cheaper stores out east... seems like they would want window shoppers and their families to come to downtown to attract new customers. I thought the stores liked the tradition since many of them dress up in costume to hand out the candy. All I can say is, my few dollars that I spend on the square will now go to the mega stores that don't complain that people come to them and don't buy anything. My children will no longer trick or treat on the square. And if you are wondering, I went to Santa's Sleigh to see if "Former Patron" returned your candy... It's right next to him in the sleigh. Kinda ironic that the most giving figure of our culture is the one ready to give the candy back to the grinch that stole halloween to. Next thing you know... MainStreet will stop the Christmas Tree from being on the square because the lights are too bright, traffic will be detoured unless they have business on the square and Redneck will change it's name to "The Stuck Up Cafe", Golden's will become "Silver Spoons" and Fabiano's will be called "Only the Fabulous". Hmmm, when will people understand that these holidays and festivities are for the children to have a good time and teach them to have good people skills. To the person that was upset about the comments of "Go get your candy." I am sorry my three year old is a little shy and I had to tell him it was ok to approach a stranger giving out candy on halloween. I guess I need to be sent to DFACS for training on raising my children. To the businesses on the square that understand the function of halloween, I am sorry that a few bad apples will keep me away from your business. You can thank your MainStreet partners. "Former Patron", you are a better person than me... I threw my children's candy away. I don't want anyone to enjoy the spoils of this rotten idea of giving.
Posted by used to bring my kids at 8:55 PM
Former Patron was true to their word and returned the candy. I was taking my daily walk around the square and looked and it was there. I admire this person and am thinking of doing the same.
Posted by Doyan at 8:36 PM
As of 4:33PM 51 comments about trick or treat and not one comment about the Food Pantry Needs. Enough said about the self centered folks.
Posted by citizen at 7:34 PM
I have an idea that might help offset the cost of candy to the downtown merchants. For those of us in coweta's rural areas, you know that you never get any trick or treaters. I figure, I must have saved a small candy fortune by not having to buy any candy in the ten years I've lived here. Lets say we start a candy drive, the downtown mechants can come up with a drop off point, maybe a local fire station or school. I know I would be more than happy to donate a big bag of candy or two, my god people we are only talking about ten to fifteen dollars. Look at all the money we have already saved. Lets get some long but not lost community spirit. I am not a merchant, but if I were I would be very concernd how long I can keep my doors open in this economy. Remember people, if we don't get out and spend our money in our community, one by one you are going to see these business's disappear. Then what , our jobs, if your not buying it, there not going to make it, and if there not going to make it, what do they need you for? Get my point
Posted by Mike C. at 7:20 PM
I ive in an apt. complex and I had grown parents dressed up getting candy.But I did not give to them.If the grown-ups wont candy let them go buy it from a store.
Posted by Becky at 7:01 PM
The article plainly states that more than one merchant was complaining about the trick or treaters. That being said, we certainly can't compare this trivial issue to the more serious issues affecting the nation at this present time, even thogh some here have tried to turn this into some kind of political forum, which in this case seems a little goofy. The bottom line here is the merchants have to realize that this isn't 1974 and that there are a lot of other retail options available in coweta and fayette county these days. Kids from all over come to my neighborhood also and disrespect me also. It all begins at home. I think that this article and the merchants both have tarnished the way they are viewed. Which in my opinion, was in question to begin with.
Posted by jerry s at 6:59 PM
I am outraged to hear merchants and parents complaining about the downtown Trick or Treat? Merchants - if you don't like giving out candy to young children during this holiday, then don't. Parents - if you don't like the candy that your children will recieve, don't accept. Your both acting like children!!!
Posted by Angela Norred at 6:45 PM
I spend good hard earned money at Scott's , Golden's, Quizno's, Brothers', etc... However I do not live in a trailer. I do not question the kids and parents that come to my house to see if they can afford to hang out in my subdivision. Is that not what the stores are saying??? It's one day and it is for fun. It does not sound like the Merchants are having fun. Maybe Merchants are getting a little to comfortable. I wonder if they have seen all the empty stores on Bullsboro. By the way most people love cotton candy!!!!
Posted by Customer at 6:39 PM
This is not surprising given the political situation nowadays. It's just another example of the huddled masses wanting their "entitlements" from hard working people. Just remember the phrase "Don't feed the pigeons".
Posted by Mark at 6:21 PM
I was personally at this meeting, its funny how the paper has played this up as a negative meeting on Trick or Treating. Which is completely false. There were very many positive things talked about when discussing the trick or treat in the square. Now the paper has all of our shoppers and fellow citizens upset over something that was taken out of context. That was the feeling of one merchant not all the downtown merchants, and half of the owners weren't even at the meeting. This is negative publicity that the paper is giving downtown Newnan, do you want no one to feel like they can come downtown and be appreciated? That's how you made many of these commenting citizens feel. I think this article is ridiculous.
Posted by fellow citizen at 5:59 PM
People who live in subdivisions have all the same problems as down town Newnan has. You just have to decide if you want to participate & if you don't Trick or Treaters need to learn the common courtisy that once used to be there. Just like if you choose not to participate in a home you just don't turn your porch light on. I've heard many people say that people still knocked on their door & even as late as 10:00 PM The key is to teach the new generation what Halloween is all about Most kids don't even say trick or treat any more they just hold out their bag I refuse to give them candy unless they use their manners. Again Halloween is for kids there should be set times & set ages.
Posted by Barb at 4:57 PM
This is a sign of the times and it is so sad. This is why all of the "fun" things that used to happen in Newnan are no longer a part of the landscape in Newnan. I am sorry that people are destroying a tradition.
Posted by A. Johnson at 4:55 PM
My children will gladly return the candy that they received on Halloween as it is obvious that it came with strings attached. The candy will be placed in Santa's sleigh on the South East corner of the square. For those merchants who wish to recover their loss, please understand the irony of this situation, for those merchants who participated without expectations, thank you, my children learned of generosity. "Generosity"- is the habit of giving without coercion. Generosity is not solely based on one's economic status, but instead, includes the individual's pure intentions of looking out for society's common good and giving from the heart.Generosity should reflect the individual's passion to help others. To those merchants who begrudgingly handed out candy, my children have learned of humility, and to give back what they can't consume, but most of all they learned, if it sounds to good to be true, then it probably is. It is no secret that the businesses of the world do things to attract and maintain patrons, but most don't make people feel guilty about "window shopping" I did not come to the square to go shopping, I went to spend time with my family in a safe environment and look in some of the businesses that I otherwise would have never had the time to visit. It is regretable that the not so hidden agenda of some has been thrown in the face of a potential return customer, but you can rest assured, your statement's will be forever remembered.
Posted by Former Patron at 4:52 PM
Renee, who netted candy from two local giveaways, had this to say: "Ashley Park will be rocking next Halloween, once more stores have opened up. The people there are much more friendly and give more than ONE piece of cheap candy!" When the freeloaders have come to expect a certain level and quality of candy welfare, it is time to at least hit the pause button on the giving. (And while Ashley Park is certainly a great addition to our community, I've never had a merchant there call me up to tell me they just got in a shipment I might be interested in, as the downtown merchants have often done. Downtown rocks!)
Posted by Angela at 4:51 PM
Limit the amounts of candy given out and limit the ages to whom you give it to--say no one under 2 years of age--let's face it, what infant or toddler is going to know or CARE about candy much???--and no one over the age of 12. Teenagers should NOT be trick-or-treating. That's an activity for kids--and they aren't kids anymore. They should have their own activities. Adults should have theirs. Follow the rules and things will work out fine. If they get ugly, show them the sidewalk (and maybe a real police officer.) This is supposed to be for the kids. The more mature should get a grip, and get on with their lives. If they need candy that much, there's plenty in the stores for sale. They can go buy their own.
Posted by E. Wright at 4:23 PM
Thank you Merchant for your input. Just another biased paper it seems? Merchants: buy candy and use it to your advantage,attach a coupon, menu or uhhh how about special Christmas sales? It is called marketing. A gentle reminder that this event is meant for young children - (not teens) to enjoy would be appropriate. The adults are the ones who are ruining it for everyone by not using THEIR manners or common sense, well that is the way the world is now, very sad. Maybe downtown Newnan can start a campaign to bring back the small town atmosphere which includes GOOD MANNERS! Parents, you should be ashamed!
Posted by Cowetian at 4:12 PM
They all close early during the week. Few are open on the weekends. They are too expensive. And yet they are complaining about too many people. The Avenue in PTC is more than glad to have you. we live in sharpsburg so it's closer anyway. So go ahead and take a "year off" we won't be back. And by the way, there are a lot of other,cheaper, shopping options in the county. Good luck.
Posted by jerry s at 3:55 PM
Move trick or treat to ashley park? Great idea, I bet these trailer attitude folks are just dying to shop at Dilliards, and Barnes &Noble. OF course, they can't afford Brothers on the square either. Perhaps we should move it to the fairgrounds. Cotton candy is more their speed.
Posted by newnan at 3:20 PM
This article was extracted from a heated internal discussion between the Main Street merchants about Halloween Trick or Treating. It includes none of the positive things that were said in the meeting about this, and does not directly quote the merchants whose complaints about this began the discussion. Keith and Sam from Costume Shop, the only merchants quoted, were actually loudly in favor of continuing Halloween trick or treating. A reporter sitting in a private marketing meeting at Ashley Park would hear some of the same concerns being voiced there. Main Street merchants love taking part in this event and anything we can do to show our city in a positive light. Sometimes it feels like our hometown paper doesn't share our views.
Posted by Merchant at 3:13 PM
I did take my 2 year old trick or treating downtown and agree that it is pathetic for the store owners to complain. We met up with friends and their small children and had a great time. However, we face the same problem year after year in our neighborhood with teens and greedy trick or treaters. So the store owners need to grin and bear it just like everyone else or don't give out candy! This is only for 4 hours once a year and with today's competition for shopping, I'll spend my money at friendly shops, not snobby ones.
Posted by Jenny at 2:37 PM
Newsflash!There used to be something called manners, and saying thank you , and being grateful. Theres always some , when something is free, they think it means get all you can. If you don't like Newnan, by all means move out. Get with it or get rolled on.
Posted by newnan man at 2:25 PM
Thanks Renee we will go to Ashley Park next year. I hope Ashley Park places a huge ad on the front page of the paper that reads Trick or Treating for EVERYONE! No purchase required.
Posted by Customer at 1:52 PM
Does anyone know if Ashley Park has Trick or Treating? That may be an idea.....:)
Posted by Customer at 1:36 PM
My children are now in high school and are far too old to participate in trick-or-treating on the square. However, when they were in PRE-SCHOOL, we had such a fun time dressing them up and taking them to the square! We have a lot of pictures and fond memories of those days. At that time, it was always little ones who were from the surrounding daycares and preschools. We hardly ever saw any 'big kids'. I think it is a sad day when adults are bussing kids in from other counties to take advantage of another towns traditions. These children are only chaperoned by a few adults, not all their parents. This is not 'advertisement' for the businesses or even giving back to OUR community! This is down right tacky and I would be ashamed if I were a parent or representative of those other schools/school systems/day cares, etc.! I am NOT a business owner in downtown Newnan and I'm not originally from this area but I've been here long enough to be familiar with our traditions. I believe teenagers have no business trick-or-treating and parents of babies should not be collecting candy! These folks should be ashamed of themselves. I agree, GOOD GRIEF!!! No one has any sense anymore!
Posted by ~Addyson~ at 1:36 PM
If the store owners only want to give their customers candy then, give them a sucker with every $$$ purchase. My family shops and dines downtown frequently, trust me we do not do it because my child received a piece of candy on Halloween. If store owners do it because they enjoy it then continue if not stop. It's that simple. I really don't think a day of dressing up and giving out candy has anything to do with the 2008 election. It's trick or treating, not a major world event.
Posted by Shopper at 1:25 PM
It is only 4 hours A YEAR!!!! buy more candy and give it out with a smile, if slack people are asking for candy, just give it to them and let them be on there merry way, and smile.
Posted by Devan at 1:17 PM
It so sad to hear that people have become so greedy that it affects a "fun" day intended for our children. I apprecaite our Merchants and the time and money that is involved to interact with the families of Coweta County. I hope that the Merchants can come up with an idea that will continue this tradition, but stop the greed of adults and people who do not support our local shops! I know that there is an answer and that our shop owners will found the best one for all! Happy Holidays - Loretta
Posted by Loretta at 1:07 PM
Now that I know how badly the merchants complained - I will take my kids to Ashley Park next year. If the merchants don't like the way things are being done...then don't participate! I went to both downtown trick-or-treating and then went to Ashley Park later in the afternoon. Ashley Park was much better, because it is not as crowded as the sqare....and the merchants there gave better candy for the kids! They also gave coupons for services - which is a great way to attract new customers. Too bad downtown merchants do not know how to run their businesses effectively to produce more customer come back. Complaining about the citizens of the county is a sure way to lose my business. I will take it all elsewhere. Then, when everyone wants to know why people don't support local/family owned/ mom& pop businesses, they will know that it is because of the owners. Ashley Park will be rocking next Halloween, once more stores have opened up. The people there are much more friendly and give more than ONE piece of cheap candy!
Posted by Renee at 1:06 PM
I still think it is pathetic of the downtown business owners. Complaining like this makes them look bad. If you do not want a big crowd of people doing the trick or treat event, do not publicize it. Do not have it. Whining and lamenting because there were a lot of people makes them look like uppity snobs. If I am the type they are complaining about, that suits me. Downtown Newnan is out of my way anyhow. If they do not want my type around, fine with me. There are other places to shop and to trick or treat....like our own neighborhood. My preschoolers had a good time around our house anyhow. Watch the downtown business owners complain about the presence of crowds during Christmas.
Posted by Brenda at 1:03 PM
OK - Have the parents purchase colored wristbands (Red band $10 and child gets 1 piece of candy per merchant) (Blue wristband $25 and 2 pieces of candy per merchant) and so forth. Maybe even a $100 level where child gets 5 pieces of candy and a face painting. NO WRISTBAND - NO CANDY. Sales of the wristbands should occur for one month before Halloween. The day before Halloween buy a truckload of candy at BIG LOTS or BJ's. Any monies left over should be distributed between merchants - only fair because they are working the crowd instead of the cash registers. Now what organization in town can handle collecting the money, doing the wristbands, and so forth?
Posted by Paula Wolf at 1:03 PM
I work downtown and I can see both points of view. Trick or Treat on the Square has turned into a mega-event. Merchants, you wanted to draw prospective customers, now you complaint that the prospects are hurting your business? How do you know you aren't getting any of their business? I haven't seen one single merchant with a roster to sign saying you came as a result of Trick or Treat. As for out of county traffic, great! We went to a similar event years ago on the square in Marietta - now we have 2 or 3 favorite spots that we visit only at Christmas every year. Yep, out of county shoppers, that's what we turned out to be. As for the parents - quit complaining about what kind or how much candy your child received. The merchants never promised Dove chocolates - not even candy for that matter. We passed out pencils - and got more rudeness than thanks. So, both sides, grow up, take the event in context.
Posted by meemaw at 12:56 PM
The businesses downtown have been doing the trick or treat for the people who do business with them. It is not a way to get new business. The problem with it is the attitude of ENTITLEMENT that much of today's society believes that they have. If the businesses downttown give cancy to their customers' children, they believe that it should be available to everyone. They are wrong. This mentality is what elected our president elect and will have the working man working to support even more who are too lazy to work. This is sad, but becoming more and more prevalent. I attribute it to parents giving to their children instead of making them earn the non-essientials. I say close the trick or treat down. It has gone astray from its intentions!
Posted by Old Coweta at 12:45 PM
I always find it amazing the amount of rules that are placed on giving. Either your giving out candy or your not. Putting limits on it is like telling a deer not to eat all the corn in the feeder. You either give or you don't! It's just candy!!
Posted by Jonathon at 12:31 PM
I believe that what the merchants in downtown Newnan do a great job. I moved here from a big city and enjoy the small town activities that are offered.I enjoy all the events that are held in the square. We all need to support these merchants for they are the backbone to this great community.
Posted by Wake up! at 12:29 PM
I remember when it use to just be for the preschool children who were at the surrounding downtown churches and walked up town. they were mostly too young to stay out on Halloween nights. It was really nice. Now it really is a free for all. It is wrong for people to complain about the kind of candy.
Posted by Preschool Mom at 12:08 PM
First of all, like almost everything else in this give-me-mine world, the downtown trick or treat has become abused by children that are really too old and by the parents (who act like kids themselves) of the too young. This year was especially difficult because of two reasons, the incredibly long line of advance voters who also had to park downtown and by the economy. The mom and pop merchants are especially hard hit by the falling economy. If you enjoyed Halloween for your children, please come back downtown and buy some Christmas presents!
Posted by Downtowner at 11:59 AM
I'm sure there are other, less troublesome ways to promote downtown -- preferably ways that don't promote the kind of entitlement attitude too many of the comments here exemplify.
Posted by McGehee at 11:59 AM
i use to take my kids trick or treating down town and now they are taking their kids~ it's a tradition that we enjoy and hope it does not end! I do understand the point of view from some of the merchants but the choice is a simple one~ if you don't want to participate, then DON'T. If you do want to participate, then DON'T complain. Simple as that.
Posted by are you kiddin me?? at 11:42 AM
In just driving through downtown to get to an appointment, I agree it was out of hand. The downtown event should be for the smaller kids. It drives me nuts to see teenagers trick or treating. Also, why weren't those teens or school age kids in school? In thinking back, only those homeschooled or at schools who had out (Oddessey) should be there.
Posted by Lori at 11:40 AM
I took my kids for the first time this year to the square. I was shocked at how rude some of the other parents were!!! I had my kids say "trick or treat" and thank you but quite a few of the people giving out candy wouldn't smile or say anything back to them. We "got in trouble" because we didn't see the signs (had 6 kids between me and my friend)and went the wrong way! Everyone was going every which way but we had something said to us. I have to say that this was this first time I've been to the trick or treat at the square and I'm not sure I would return. I'd rather dress my kids up and let them play in the yard than have rude adults running over them! I love going downtown on any given day and would love to have the $$ to shop there. FYI I do realize that these merchants are doing this out of their pockets but when you then get greedy about "not getting" the extra business that's when it gets sad! :(
Posted by Parent at 11:35 AM
Please explain how Obama getting elected and Trick or Treating go hand and hand. Too funny...
Posted by Give me a break at 11:21 AM
I heard that most Ga. counties are now closing schools on Halloween so that the kids are able to attend the downtown Newnan trick or treat. I wonder how long it will be before this is done nationally.
Posted by Matt at 11:19 AM
Please remember that the business owners participate of their own accord and purchase all of the candy for the kids. Not only does it disrupt their business, but it also costs them money. Many of them then turn around and go home to pass out candy in their neighborhood too. How many of you participated in 2 sessions of trick or treating?? For those of you who do not frequent downtown, what a shame, you and your family are missing out.
Posted by Support Downtown at 11:17 AM
The Downtown Trick-or-Treat should set some limits on somethings. I agree about the bussing kids in, that made it impossible to get anywhere. Every corner we turned that day we got trapped in a group of daycare kids.
Posted by Katie at 11:15 AM
As a parent it troubles me to see kids act in this manner. It troubles me even more to have parents standing there allowing it. Not all kids receive guidence and quality fun time. That is not their fault. As adults we have to remember that not all kids and parents are like this. So if you choose to continue Trick or Treating do it with a giving heart and remember kids are kids no matter what.
Posted by Parent at 11:14 AM
I agree with "Give me a break". The whole reason for downtown doing the trick or treating is to attract business and based on the merchants complaints, they must not want other counties to come in and do business with them? That's just plain insane. And how do the merchants not know that someone that came to the trick or treating from another county won't tell a friend or relative, "Hey, there is this awesome bookstore in downtown Newnan, you should go there to find that rare book you're looking for." It's all about chance and I think purchasing 100-200 dollars worth of candy to give out to the trick or treaters isn't going to bust your bank and may even pay for itself in the end when you have customers that you normally wouldn't have. And about the complaints that the parents were not happy with the choice of candy, well, tell them what I tell my kids..."You get what you get and you don't pitch a fit". Simple as that.
Posted by JB at 11:08 AM
I haven't been in years because my older kids are all in school now. I really enjoyed many years of taking them though and I am grateful to the merchants who participate! Hopefully I'll be able to take my littlest one next year!!
Posted by A mom at 11:07 AM
good grief
Posted by Charlie Brown at 10:51 AM
Dowtown Newnan is always complaining about something!!! Give it up already and deal with it. Your going to get people from other counties. What's the big deal? You should be thankful for this. There is nothing going on Monday - Friday in downtown Newnan. Some of the business hours are hillarious and then on the weekends they're closed!!! Seems to me that October, and December are the only times that attract tourists.
Posted by Give me a break! at 10:22 AM
The business owners only do this to draw shoppers to the area. If it is not working then they should stop. The attitude shown by many of the people is indicative of the "give me mine" attitude that just got Obama elected
Posted by neighbor at 10:18 AM
If it ain't one thing, it's another! Just don't give out candy or even be present, for that matter! I don't want your $.02 candy that bad! And yall wonder why people don't come downtown! It's snobs like yall that try and ruin anything! I think the lights downtown are too bright! Maybe if I complain about it enough, they will dim them for me!
Posted by Jeff G at 9:50 AM
Since you don't shop or trick or treat in downtown, this article doesn't concern you or merit a comment from you. You don't grace downtown with your bussiness so you wouldn't know what there concerns are all about. Too many free loaders looking for a free hand out and spoil it for the kids!!!!!
Posted by oh well at 9:22 AM
Hey, I say heed the advice of the merchants, it's at least keeping the droves and droves of cars and hordes of halloweeners out of our neighborhood!! Keep 'em downtown!!
Posted by John Subdivision at 9:11 AM
If you think the business owners complaints were "petty" and "pathetic" . .you were probably the "type" of person they were complaining about. :-)
Posted by Heather at 9:08 AM
I chose Oct. 31 to get my tag renewed--big mistake. After looking for a spot to park for 20 minutes, I parked at Mrs. Winner's and walked to the office. A good walk, but I was barely a week out of abdominal surgery. More than once I said "pardon me" with a smile as I tried to stay on the sidewalk, and more than once I was greeted with a nasty look or a comment and forced to walk in the street.
Posted by Jane Doe at 7:35 AM
Please, lets keep the trick or treating downtown. My children have been participating for 6 years. It is the ONLY trick or treating we do. For us its not about the candy, its about family and being together. I understand the problems, but lets find a solution that dosent punish the children of Coweta County. Mine look foward to this tradition every year.
Posted by Andrea Atwood at 5:50 AM
I find the complaints of the business owners pathetic and petty. Reading about this makes me glad I did not take my children to this event and that I do not shop downtown any time of year.
Posted by Brenda at 4:41 AM
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huh ?
11/17/2008
Link To This Comment
Deer eat corn ? nice analogy...This story and the comments are as worhtless as the tight-pocket store owners. They sound so petty.
Posted by Mark at 2:40 PM