At the height of the Coronavirus pandemic, local Fayette County businesses and citizens stepped up to help their fellow Fayette Countians. This is our salute to those who did so much for so many, oftentimes at great personal risk. The first group to thank, of course, are local first responders and medical practitioners.
Card My Yard of Peachtree City posted several very visible "Thank You's", with their "HEROS WORK HERE" signs in front of local hospitals and fire stations. We here at Fayette County Lifestyle can only second that opinion. Hear! Hear!
All around the county, business owners have been striving to maintain their small businesses while showing their love and compassion for one another. We want to share some of those stories and ask you to consider shopping local, now more than ever. After all, Amazon isn't going to sponsor your kid's soccer team.
Puppy Tubs in Peachtree City
To help meet the needs of the community during COVID-19, they offered free unlimited daycare and lodging to first responders, hospital workers, Army Corps of Engineers and mobilized National Guard. Animal care facilities are essential businesses, and Puppy Tubs has remained open and is accepting new clients daily. During this trying time, they are providing curbside pick-up and drop-off, to limit social interaction.
Lisa Self, Assistant Manager, hopes to see all of her regular four-legged friends soon. “Puppy Tubs has had its share of ups and downs in the 19 years we have been open, but we always bounce back and this will be no exception. We have AMAZING clients who already miss us and can't wait to bring their fur babies back and we sure do miss them!”
Lacey Harnar, CPA
“Availability is the best of the abilities to have.” That is Lacey Harnar’s motto. You can imagine the flurry of activity that has descended upon all CPA's since we've been plunged into a world of stimulus packages and an extended tax season. Thanks to new technologies in electronic communications, Lacey Harnar, CPA, is able to e-meet with clients via phone or Zoom, utilize client portals and even accept electronic signatures.
They are producing videos that explain the process of applying for stimulus dollars as well. You can see those videos and reach out to them on their website, www.laceyharnarcpa.com. They are there for you and will answer your questions as promptly as they can.
The Venue at Murphy Lane
The Venue at Murphy Lane provides concierge wedding services in a setting that is unmatched in its beauty. 88 acres in north Newnan that has to be seen to be believed! With weddings and corporate events needing to be delayed, they know that people are planning for 2021 events now and they are making it easy with virtual tours, zoom conversations and electronic correspondence. You can make a trip out to the venue and drive through their gorgeous property as well! Stay in your car and still see what they have to offer. You will not be disappointed. To set up your virtual tour or talk with Kara or Hank, email them at thevenueatmurphylane@gmail.com.
Dr. Irene Omotoso
Are you looking for a truly caring physician? Dr. Irene Omotoso is a board-certified internal medicine doctor and founder and Medical Director of Waterfalls Medical Practice in Peachtree City. Currently, Dr. O, as she is affectionately known by her patients, is seeing patients using HIPPA approved Telemedicine. She is able to meet her patient's needs and ensure the same high standard of care with virtual physician visits. Here is some of one person's review; "Oh my, what could I say about Dr. Irene Omotoso?! She is the most compassionate doctor that I've ever known. She is so gifted at diagnosing problems and getting us better." Dr. Omotoso is currently providing FREE telemedicine to all first responders through the end of June! To contact Dr. Omotoso please visit her website at www.waterfallsmedicalpractice.org or call 678-932-8112.
Heirloom Market Co. & Bakeshop
Heirloom Market Co. & Bakeshop did a special promotion during the pandemic. For every dozen donuts sold, they provided a free box lunch to first responders and health care workers. Owners Justin and Laura Gibson wanted to find a way to give back during this crisis while maintaining some volume of business. They also offered online ordering and payments and drive through pick up! Heirloom Market Co. is a boutique marketplace with 70 local vendors with a bakery and coffee shop. They're located at 8861 GA-54, Sharpsburg, Georgia or call (770) 755-9324
Fayette County Mask Makers
Sherri Dickinson, of PTC, was watching the national news and saw a video on how to make masks for health care providers when it hit her. "I can do this! I know how to sew and I can help make masks!" she exclaimed. She told two friends of her idea and asked them for help spreading the word. They created a Facebook group, started sharing on social media and Fayette County Mask Makers began with a bang! In only their first 11 days from inception, they have over 200 Facebook group members and volunteers who are either sewing masks, taking materials in donations or running masks to local healthcare facilities. They have already distributed over 2,000 masks! When a community comes together, amazing things can happen. If you would like to join her group of volunteers, search for Fayette County Mask Makers on Facebook.
Fayette County Lifestyle Quarantine Survival Kits
We also wanted to help out during these trying times and offered our Quarantine Survival Kits that included essential items and coupons from many of our local advertisers. Cookies from Highland Bakery and Kitchen, Coupons from Your Pie in PTC, a T-shirt from Tonya Jones Realtor.... one of the recipients said "I am very thankful there are still kind people in this world willing to make others smile during these trying times." Not all of us are hero's but we're all trying our best.
how can you help our local businesses?
1. Buy a gift card
Businesses need cash flow right now, and the easiest way to help them out is to buy some gift cards to use down the road.
2. Get delivery.
Luckily, most restaurants and shops have stepped up options like delivery or curbside pickup so you can minimize contact with humans. Ordering in a few meals when you can is a big help.
3. Tip like a boss.
It’s a crappy time to be a waiter, delivery driver, or barista, because not only are they likely working fewer hours, they’re getting fewer tips from their nonexistent customers. If you can afford it, make someone’s day with a massive tip.
4. Schedule a service for later.
That service you've been putting off with a cleaner, a painter, a plumber, a contractor or a salon. Now's the time to book the work so they can make a plan for the future.
5. Provide a Social Media Boost.
Give a shout-out to your favorite local businesses by leaving them a positive review on Yelp, or Google+ or like their page and share their posts on Facebook and Instagram.