Toast of Toccoa #1

Press Release

Release: Immediate

Contact:  Sharon Crosby, 706.282.3309

Date: 04/10/2017

RE: The Inaugural Toast of Toccoa

TOCCOA, GA, April 10, 2017 – Main Street Toccoa is pleased to remind the citizenry of Toccoa that the inaugural Toast of Toccoa will occur on May 6^th, 2017 from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. Toast of Toccoa, Northeast Georgia’s premier craft beer, wine, and arts festival, will showcase many different activities, including live music all day, food from local vendors, a classic car show, and much more.

Each week before the event, Main Street Toccoa will publish a press release detailing a specific feature of Toast of Toccoa to provide greater awareness of the event. This week, attention will be given to the art aspect of the event. Presented in conjunction with the Currahee Artists’ Guild, Toast of Toccoa will feature over 50 artists showcasing their works. Art will also be available for purchase. In addition to a children’s arts show, there will be an adult competition held. Artists will line Doyle Street in booths, showcasing the great quality of artistry in Northeast Georgia. Visitors are free to admire or purchase the artwork while enjoying the quality craft beer and wine that Toast of Toccoa will bring to Stephens County.

There is no cost for admission to Toast of Toccoa. For more information about Toast of Toccoa, please contact Sharon Crosby at the Main Street office at 706.282.3309

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GEMS Re-Certification

Press Release

Release: Immediate

Contact:  Connie Tabor, 706.282.3269

RE: Toccoa Recertified as a GEMS Community

TOCCOA, GA – The City of Toccoa is proud to report that Toccoa has been recertified as a Georgia Exceptional Main Street (GEMS) community for 2017.

Of the 94 Main Street programs that participated in the highly competitive annual assessment process, only 16 cities were selected for GEMS designation, the highest designation awarded to Main Street communities. Collectively, these communities, including Toccoa, represent 473,200 Georgia citizens and 8 service delivery regions.

Jessica Reynolds, Director of the Office of Downtown Development at the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) said, “These communities are united by common attributes that help make them the strongest commercial historic districts in the state – a strong commitment to historic preservation and planning, stable leadership, and active municipal support.”

As GEMS communities, these Main Street programs gain access to special one-on-one technical services offered by the DCA, scholarship opportunities, and discounted rates for training and design services. Toccoa was honored to be selected as one of the first GEMS communities when the designation was awarded. Its recertification ultimately proves the value that the City of Toccoa places in downtown development, planning, and its Main Street program.

Community Development Director Connie Tabor said, in reference to the recertification, “It is an honor to be selected as a GEMS community again this year. We have been a GEMS pilot program since 2014. The elected officials, businesses, volunteers, and citizens have all played a role in downtown’s success. We continue to move forward in downtown economic development.”   

The Main Street Office is happy to answer any questions regarding its certification as a GEMS community. Please contact Community Development Director Connie Tabor at 706.282.3269 for inquiries.

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Historic Plaque Dedication Ceremony: 80 E. Doyle Street

Press Release

Release: Immediate

Contact:  Christian Hamilton, 706.898.5777

RE: Historic Plaque Ceremony, 80 E. Doyle Street, March 6, 2017

TOCCOA, GA – The sixth historic plaque in the 2016-2017 series of plaques dedicated to downtown buildings was unveiled on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 5 p.m., at 80 E. Doyle Street.

The Barron and Lawrence 5 and 10 Cent Store served as one of Toccoa’s many “five-and-dime” stores throughout the city’s downtown history. The building in which it was housed was constructed around 1906, shortly before the construction of the Stephens County Historic Courthouse in 1907.

The ceremony was short and memorable, bringing out many individuals, including city staff, city commissioners, Historic Preservation Commission members, Downtown Development Authority members, local residents, and the property owners.

 The historic plaque program highlights ten historic buildings in Toccoa, and the remaining plaques are set to follow each month. Once all plaques have been installed, they will be added to Main Street Toccoa’s Historic Walking Tour Guide. The next historic plaque will be installed May 4^th at 5pm on historic Greyhound Bus Station.

The Main Street Office is happy to answer any questions regarding the Historic Plaque Program. Please contact Christian Hamilton at 706.898.5777 for inquiries.

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Historic Plaque Dedication: 80 E. Doyle Street

Press Release

Release: Immediate

Contact:  Christian Hamilton, 706.898.5777

RE: Historic Plaque Ceremony, 80 E. Doyle Street, March 6, 2017

TOCCOA, GA – The sixth historic plaque in the 2016-2017 series of plaques dedicated to downtown buildings will be unveiled on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 5 p.m., at 80 E. Doyle Street.

The Barron and Lawrence 5 and 10 Cent Store served as one of Toccoa’s many “five-and-dime” stores throughout the city’s downtown history. The building in which it was housed was constructed around 1906, shortly before the construction of the Stephens County Historic Courthouse in 1907.

A successful five-and-dime store during its time, after the increase in prices affecting both customers and owner, the Barron and Lawrence 5 and 10 Cent Store moved out of its location downtown. In the 1990s, this location was home to Powell’s Jewelry, a locally-owned jewelry store. Currently, the building is owned by Mr. Jack P. Green, a registered CPA, and was most recently occupied as the brick-and-mortar location for Just Sew Pretty, an online boutique dedicated to embroidery and more.

 The historic plaque program highlights ten historic buildings in Toccoa, and the remaining plaques are set to follow each month. Once all plaques have been installed, they will be added to Main Street Toccoa’s Historic Walking Tour Guide.

The Main Street Office is happy to answer any questions regarding the Historic Plaque Program. Please contact Christian Hamilton at 706.898.5777 for inquiries.

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