Main Street Toccoa Recertified as 2018 Georgia Exceptional Main Street (GEMS) Community

Press Release

Release: Immediate

Contact:  Christian Hamilton, 706.898.5777

RE: Toccoa Recertified as a GEMS Community

TOCCOA, GA, April 17, 2018 – The City of Toccoa is proud to report that Main Street Toccoa has been recertified as a Georgia Exceptional Main Street (GEMS) community for 2018.

The Main Street Program is a downtown economic development program run by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In the State of Georgia, it is overseen by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs Office of Downtown Development. To be certified as an official participating Main Street community, a city must follow a four-point approach to downtown development characterized by Organization, Design, Economic Restructuring, and Promotions.

There are currently 114 participating Main Street communities in the State of Georgia, of which 29 are Affiliate communities, 69 are Classic Main Streets, and 16 are GEMS communities. GEMS designation is the highest designation awarded by the State of Georgia for participating Main Street cities. To qualify as a GEMS community, a Main Street must participate in a lengthy accreditation process that evaluates the effectiveness and economic successes of that community over a large period of time.

Regarding the recertification of Main Street Toccoa as a GEMS community, Main Street Manager Christian Hamilton said, “We are proud once again to be designated a GEMS community by the State of Georgia. We completed the accreditation process in December of last year, and since that time, have continued to work toward downtown development here in Toccoa. Our recertification as a GEMS community just goes to show the support that Main Street Toccoa receives by residents of this great city. Every year, it seems as if we gain a record number of visitors to our downtown district, and it certainly shows by how thriving beautiful Historic Downtown Toccoa is today. We encourage everyone to come downtown and shop, and, of course, to participate in and enjoy our Main Street events downtown and at the Ritz Theatre. We are a GEMS community because of the people we represent here in Toccoa.”

The Main Street Office is happy to answer any questions regarding its recertification as a GEMS community. Please contact Main Street Manager Christian Hamilton at 706.898.5777 for inquiries.

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Friends of the Ritz Meeting Scheduled

Press Release

For Immediate Release
Contact: Keith Kozicki, (706) 282-3232
Date: 4/16/2018
RE: Friends of The Ritz Initial Meeting

Friends of The Ritz to hold its initial meeting

Toccoa, GA, April 16, 2018

The Friends of The Ritz, a new organization dedicated to raising funds for additional
programming and building enhancements for the Historic Ritz Theatre, will hold its initial
meeting on Tuesday, April 24 th at 5 PM at the Ritz Theatre.

This new group will be under the guidance of the Currahee Arts Council and will file the
appropriate paperwork to qualify as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

The purpose of the meeting is to select volunteers who would be willing to serve as board
members. Specifically, individuals with skills in marketing, legal affairs, publicity, sponsor
development, and membership are urged to attend.

“It’s a great way to have a hand in guiding the future of the Ritz Theatre and influence
programming decisions” according to Ritz Theatre General Manager Keith Kozicki. “Most
other historic theatres have similar groups in place and we see this as the logical next step
in the growth and development of the Ritz Theatre as a regional cultural programing
destination.”

For more information about the Friends of The Ritz organization, contact Keith Kozicki,
General Manager, Historic Ritz Theatre at (706) 282-3232.

Customer Appreciation Day Coming Up

Press Release

Release: Immediate
Contact: Sharon Crosby/Main Street Toccoa
Date: April 18, 2018
RE: Georgia Cities Week

City of Toccoa Customer Appreciation Day

Toccoa, GA – April 18, 2018 – The City of Toccoa will celebrate Georgia Cities Week sponsored
by the Georgia Municipal Association the week of April 22 - 28. This year’s theme is “Cities in
the Spotlight”. This week is an opportunity to showcase and celebrate cities and the services
they provide.

This is the 19th year Georgia Cities Week has been celebrated in the state. Each year the City of
Toccoa has celebrated it with special events.

This year there will be a special Customer Appreciation Day to be held on Thursday, April 26,
from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in the lobby of City Hall. The community is invited to come.
“We’re very proud of our city and the services we provide that make it attractive to residents
and visitors,” said Mayor David Austin. “Cities provide the services and infrastructure to help
businesses grow, and set the stage for events where families and individuals can gather as a
community.”

Cities across Georgia will be celebrating Georgia Cities Week, sponsored by the Georgia
Municipal Association (GMA), to showcase and celebrate cities and the many services they
provide. Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, non-profit organization that provides legislative
advocacy, educational, employee benefit and consulting services to its 521 member cities.

The community is invited to come visit City Hall April 26 from 10:00 – 12:00.
For more information about City of Toccoa services, go to www.cityoftoccoa.com.

2018 Toast of Toccoa Announced

Press Release

Release: Immediate
Contact: Sharon Crosby
Date: 4/16/18
Re: The Toast of Toccoa

Toccoa, GA, April 16, 2018 – Main Street Toccoa will host the second annual Toast of
Toccoa on May 5, 2018 from 12 pm to 5 pm in downtown Toccoa. The event will feature
50 or more artisans from the Currahee Artists Guild and other regional arts organizations
who will display their artwork in separate booths set up throughout the downtown area.
Visitors will be able to talk one-on- one with the individual artist about their particular
work and will be able to purchase selected works of art.

This event will also feature craft beer as well as wine tastings from several well-known
North Georgia vineyards, including Toccoa’s own Currahee Vineyards.

There will be craft beer from various breweries such as Creature Comforts Brewing
Companies of Athens, GA and Franklin, NC’s Currahee Brewing Company. Two beer
trucks will be set up to serve ice-cold draft beer. Samples will be sold for $2 for 4 ounces,
and commemorative pint glasses are available to purchase. For more information about
the individual beer and how it is produced, go to Main Street Toccoa’s facebook page.
Local area restaurants will also have booths featuring their specialty food items for sale.
This year there will be two separate stages. One stage will be set up at the corner of
Tugalo St and Sage St. The entertainment for that stage includes Nick & the Grooves at
12 pm – 2 pm and the increasingly popular Grassland String Band at 3 pm – 5 pm. The
second stage will be on Doyle St near Hill St. and will feature local talent from 12 – 5 pm.

The Currahee Cruisers will be co-sponsoring a classic and specialty car cruise-in,
featuring dozens of restored vintage automobiles and specialty cars which will be parked
along Doyle Street between Sage and Alexander Streets. There will awards for the Top 5
given out at 5:00 pm. For more information about the cruise-in call Derrick Martin at
404-915- 3923.

There is no cost for admission to the event. For more information go to
www.mainstreettoccoa.com.