2020 Census Underway in Stephens County

Press Release

Release: Immediate
Contact: Connie Tabor, 706.282.3232
Date: March 30, 2020
RE: Census Efforts Ongoing Across Toccoa

TOCCOA, GA – March 30, 2020 – The City of Toccoa, in association with partner organizations across Stephens County, would like to remind the residents of Toccoa and Stephens County that the 2020 Census has begun, and efforts are ongoing across the United States.

“You will have received your invitation to respond to the census by March 20^th,” said Community Development Director Connie Tabor. “That invitation will give you instructions on how to respond online, which shouldn’t take more than ten minutes. If you haven’t responded yet, the federal government has already started sending out reminder postcards. Please make every effort to complete your portion of the census in a timely manner.”

Mrs. Tabor also notes that, in addition to completing the census online, there are also options to respond by mail or by phone. A final reminder postcard will be sent out by April 27^th, and if residents have not yet completed their census online, by mail, or by phone, they should expect a visit from a census taker. Mrs. Tabor adds that participation in the 2020 Census is required by law.

For more information on the U.S. Census, please visit the official website at 2020census.gov.

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2020 Toast of Toccoa Cancelled

Press Release

Release: Immediate

Contact: Sharon Crosby

Date: March 25, 2020

Re: Cancellation of Main Street Event

Toast of Toccoa 2020

Toccoa, GA – March 25, 2020 – In accordance with the guidelines of the CDC and the recommendations of Georgia Governor Kemp concerning social distancing due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Main Street Toccoa, will cancel Toast of Toccoa 2020. This event was scheduled for May 2.

Main Street Toccoa would like to encourage everyone to support downtown businesses that continue to provide services. Go to www.mainstreettoccoa.com for the latest updates on the business openings/closings downtown or contact the business directly since things may change from day to day.

https://www.mainstreettoccoa.com/economic-help-during-covid-19  

https://www.mainstreettoccoa.com/updated-business-information.cfm  

Main Street Toccoa Stands Ready to Help Small Businesses

Press Release

Release: Immediate
Date: March 23, 2020
Contact: Christian Hamilton, Main Street Manager, 706.898.5777

RE: Small Business Assistance Available for Business Owners in Need

TOCCOA, GA – March 23, 2020 – In an effort to promote the wellbeing of Historic Downtown Toccoa and small businesses all across Stephens County, Georgia, Main Street Toccoa is pleased to share information regarding small business loan and grant assistance during this CDC-recommended period of social distancing due to the spread of the coronavirus across the world.

Main Street Toccoa has created several information pages on its official website detailing how small business owners can receive assistance during this difficult time. The first page, located at https://www.mainstreettoccoa.com/economic-help-during-covid-19, details the various emergency loan and grant opportunities available for small business owners in Stephens County, including from organizations like the Small Business Administration, Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs, and even Facebook. The second page, located at https://www.mainstreettoccoa.com/updated-business-information.cfm, provides an up-to-date listing of new business hours, different practices, and special deals and promotions being run by small businesses in Toccoa-Stephens County. Main Street Toccoa encourages you to reach out if you would like your small business featured.

“We would like to encourage the community to rally behind Historic Downtown Toccoa and all the small businesses in our community during these unprecedented times,” said Main Street Manager Christian Hamilton. “Don’t forget that Downtown Toccoa is still open for business. Their livelihoods are determined by our support of their businesses, so we would like to encourage you to buy gift cards, get your food to-go, and see how you can help out the business owners that are currently struggling. Many of them are willing to work with you by offering curbside service or even shopping with you over the phone. Let’s use this time now more than ever to show that we are Small Business Strong in our community.”

For more information or to have your business listed, please contact Christian Hamilton via email at chamilton@cityoftoccoa.com or by phone at 706.898.5777.

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Main Street Events Cancelled Through April

Press Release

Release: Immediate
Contact: Christian Hamilton, 706.898.5777
Date: March 16, 2020
RE: Main Street Events Update

TOCCOA, GA – March 16, 2020 – Main Street Toccoa has announced that, due to the guidelines of the CDC and recommendations of Governor Kemp, the April 2^nd, 2020 inaugural Downtown Toccoa Sip-n-Stroll has been postponed. Additionally, all March and April events taking place at the Historic Ritz Theatre have been cancelled or postponed. The 2020 Toast of Toccoa is still tentatively scheduled to proceed as normal.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce these cancellations and postponements,” said Main Street Manager Christian Hamilton. “Our downtown businesses have spent a great deal of time working on preparing for this Sip-n-Stroll. We do hope to reconvene and host it in the Fall,” Hamilton added. “Unfortunately, we are also canceling or postponing every show taking place in March and April at the Ritz. Please stay tuned for updated information on when these shows will take place in the future.”

Main Street Toccoa would like to encourage locals to remember the Historic Downtown District during these unprecedented times. Here’s how you can help: Something as simple as purchasing a gift card will allow local businesses an immediate income source. Schedule your haircuts downtown, if you don’t want to get out, order takeout from downtown restaurants, and make the effort to shop for what you need in the downtown area. Most importantly, check in with your favorite store downtown and ask them how you can help them get through this difficult time. Support the small businesses that make up the backbone of the community.

Staff remains committed to our mission of downtown development and showcasing the Historic Downtown District as the heart and soul of our community. Main Street Toccoa stands with all other main streets and small business owners as we work in tandem with ongoing statewide efforts regarding social distancing.

For more information about cancellations or postponements, please contact the Main Street Toccoa office at 706.898.5777.

Fleetwood Max to Perform at the Ritz on April 18th

Press Release

Release: Immediate

Contact: Tami Mayhugh, 706.244.0039

Date: March 6, 2020

RE: Fleetwood Max, Fleetwood Mac tribute band at the Ritz

Toccoa, GA – March 6, 2020 –“ Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow,”  but do stop at the Historic Ritz Theatre on Saturday, April 18^th at 7:00pm to spend the evening with Fleetwood Max , the country’s definitive Fleetwood Mac tribute band.

Fleetwood Max is an authentic recreation of the music, magic, and incredible stage production of the legendary Stevie Nicks & Fleetwood Mac at the height of their careers. The Fleetwood Max experience captures the mystical atmosphere, look, and sound of these enigmatic Rock and Roll Hall of Famers with outstanding vocal and character performances from a cast of the most respected, professional, touring musicians on the United States East Coast. Each member is dedicated to, and passionate about, providing the most accurate and personalized recreation of the magic that is Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks, while replicating the very best of every live performance.

Stevie Nicks look-a-like / sound-a-like, lead vocalist Sharon Epperson is nearly indistinguishable in every  move, look, and impassioned vocal.  David Epperson hypnotizes audiences when he takes the stage as Lindsey Buckingham, demonstrating inspired, accomplished guitar and vocal veracity during group performances including “Go Your Own Way”, and acoustic solo flair with a rarely seen live, spot on, note for note performance of the crowd favorite, “Big Love.”

​​Night at the Ritz, a regular event series at the Historic Ritz Theatre is funded  in part by generous grants received from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Georgia Council for the Arts. Tickets for all shows may be purchased online at www.ritztheatretoccoa.com or at the Toccoa Welcome Center. Adult tickets are $10, children under 12 and students with an ID are $5.  

For more information on this performance or Night at the Ritz, please contact Ritz Theatre General Manager Tami Mayhugh at t@cityoftoccoa.com or via phone at 706.244.0039.

Sip-n-Stroll Receives Additional Hour!

Press Release

Release: Immediate
Contact: Christian Hamilton, Main Street Manager, 706.898.5777
Date: 03/06/2020
RE: Hours Extended for Downtown Toccoa Sip-n-Stroll

TOCCOA, GA – March 6, 2020 – Main Street Toccoa, in coordination with the businesses of Downtown Toccoa, is pleased to announce that the inaugural Downtown Toccoa Sip-n-Stroll on April 2^nd is now scheduled to run for an additional hour. Originally scheduled from 6pm to 8pm, the Sip-n-Stroll will now run from 5pm to 8pm to give strollers additional time to enjoy their favorite drink samples, deals, special promotions, and music.

Fourteen participating businesses will provide a drink special sample (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), appetizers, special deals, giveaways, and more. Live music will be offered during the evening. Participating businesses include: Details Salon 73 & Spa, Angel Oak Home, Ionosphere Travel, Southern Roots Salon, Spa & Salon Anastasia, All Things Currahee, Downtown Flowers, The Chattel Shop, Troup’s Studio & Gifts, CK Morgan & Company, The Studio, {ash-ling} Booksellers, Cornerstone Antique & Craft Market, and the Simmons-Bond Inn.

Main Street Toccoa staff will sell “punch cards” for $10 each the night of the event. The cards will include your drinks for the evening and other related items. Visit each business and return your “punch card” to Main Street staff for a free prize.

This event is generously sponsored by the businesses of Historic Downtown Toccoa. Main Street Toccoa encourages the community to come out and #ShopSmall by visiting the local retail businesses downtown that contribute to the quality of life in the community.

For more information about the planned Sip-n-Stroll, please visit the official Event page on the Main Street Toccoa Facebook page or contact Christian Hamilton at 706.898.5777.

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