AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Fifteen local small businesses in downtown Augusta are a part of the event with Downtown Soul City.

The event starts at Augusta & Co. at 10 a.m., where the first 150 people get a free tote bag. When shopping at one of these stores, you are entered into a raffle to win one of three prizes. After Helene this gives the business a chance to catch up.

“A lot of small businesses right now are facing real challenges because, you know, there was a lag there,” said David Hutchison, the Co-owner of Book Tavern. “But I know that a lot of the small businesses I know right now are really counting on this holiday season to kind of pick up that slack and make it so that, you know, they go into the new year strong.”

The owner of Field Botanicals says it has been a slow year even before the Hurricane and hopes this will inspire more people to shop locally 

“We just want the community to support small businesses. Especially this time of the year, especially this year, because it’s been really slow for retail and downtown overall the whole year. So, this is a way to show your support,” said Jennifer Tinsley, the Owner of Field Botanicals.

Another business owner says that not only does shopping locally help the economy in Augusta, but it also brings the community together.

“Everything from better tax revenue to better employment for people, but I think the other thing, the real reason that maybe it’s important to shop small, is because you get to know people, and they get to know you, and that produces better outcomes, I think, for people in their lives,” said Hutchison.

Not only will you have the opportunity to shop from local stores, but there will be many pop-up vendors from the Augusta handmade fair since that was canceled due to Helene having handcrafted goods starting Saturday and continuing through the holidays.

“It’s important to shop local, you know, to help out the local economy and keep cool, fun local businesses alive,” said Evan Grantski, the Owner of Grantski Records.

You can find more information on the event on the Downtown Soul City Website.

AUGUSTA, G.A. (WJBF)- Despite some of the challenges the city of Augusta has faced, local business owners and community members and leaders came together to serve the community this Thanksgiving.

Cafe 209 celebrated Thanksgiving with “Feast in the Streets” for a second year, Thursday morning. 

“I think it’s an amazing thing for the community just to kind of revitalize everything that’s going on in the community, and to have everybody come together and just have smiles and love for the community– that’s big for me.” Jeremiah Davis said.

From 11 am until 2pm, folks had the chance to get a hot meal with all kinds of Thanksgiving favorites, and toiletries and sleeping bags. 

“It means a lot just to be able to help a lot of people and everything. Just to be out here helping the community and just to be nice on Thanksgiving,” volunteer Elayna Mcintyre said.

Local members and leaders of the community say their coming together speaks to the strength of Augusta, amid the recent challenges of Hurricane Helene.

“We know the devastation the hurricane brought to our city, but this is a good event because what it shows is– number one, that the community still has a need, and then number two is that the business owners in downtown, particularly Cassandra at Cafe 209, still has a heart to serve the community. And so, this is a great event because we’re able to tap into the better parts of our community, serving those who need our help the most….” commissioner Jordan Johnson said.

Staff and volunteers at Cafe 209 showed their gratitude for their chance to stand strong and provide a sense of security for all, this Thanksgiving. 

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – A multi-car crash in Augusta led to two fatalities on Thursday, Nov. 28.

According to the Richmond County Coroner’s Office, the crash took place at Windsor Spring Road and Willis Foreman Road this afternoon.

One driver was pronounced dead on the scene at 4:08 p.m. The driver of another vehicle was transported to Wellstar MCG where she was pronounced dead at 6:04 p.m.

No further information has been provided at this time.

Identifications of the deceased will be released once the next of kin is notified.

This is a developing story.