AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – IRONMAN and Arts in the Heart had big impacts on our local businesses.
These two events brought people from all over the country — right here to Augusta — increasing foot traffic and business downtown.
From one end of downtown …
“We had a blast, but it was very busy, very busy,” said Randy Bradum, Ubora owner.
… To the other.
“We always maintain a busy status at new moon, but we were slammed,” said Tripp Beasley, New Moon Cafe coordinator.
The triathlon featured over 2,000 competitors, who swam over a mile through the Savannah River, biked 56 miles through the Georgia backcountry, and concluded with a 13-mile run through downtown Augusta.
Businesses have seen an increase in foot traffic.
“The line was super long. It was to the door. It was outside the door for hours and hours and hours. It literally did not get slow until around closing time. We were so packed, but we knew it was going to be this busy. So we prepped and prepped and prepped,” Beasley said.
Bringing in thousands of people, something that was missed last year when it was canceled due to Hurricane Helene
“I remember just seeing everyone who was not here during the hurricane, but here the year previously. It was so great to have IRONMAN back. I really missed it. I missed the busyness. I love it,” he said.
Local businesses say events like these help set them up for the rest of the year.
The Kroc Center gave free car seat checks Saturday to give parents a chance to get their kids in the right seat.
Beasley said, “I love events in downtown because it keeps us busy and it keeps money coming in. I feel like small businesses need events like IRONMAN.”
Some businesses were so busy they were selling out, with business continuing into Monday.
“I think the biggest benefits of having these major events are that they bring in people from outside of Augusta who don’t necessarily know what Augusta has to offer. When they come in and they see something, they get this experience, hopefully it’s a very positive, memorable experience. It’s something that they want to come back to. So when they come back for future IRONMANs, future Arts in the Hearts, they remember us … they come back,” Bradum said.
Local businesses say they look forward to IRONMAN being in Augusta for the next five years.
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Local businesses see economic boost after downtown events – WRDW
