Correction note: an earlier version of this story implied that Buzzed Bull Creamery and Roll On In received $100,000 in Destination Retail Incentive Policy funds. That portion of the story has been clarified in order to report that the establishment only applied for $100,000.
The Destination Retail Incentive Policy program, an initiative by the Columbia County Development Authority to incentivize unique businesses with broad appeal to open in Columbia County, has so far facilitated two businesses and has money left to spare.
On December 17, 2019, the Board of Commissioners approved committing $500,000 to the Development Authority to distribute for the program, drawing the funding from the title ad valorem tax, which is Georgia’s motor vehicle property tax fee paid whenever a vehicle is title, either through transfer of ownership or a new resident’s vehicle registration.
When, where and how those leftover monies may be used is currently up in the air, says Development Authority Executive Director Robbie Bennett.
“We still have funds remaining of that original $500,000,” said Bennett. “But for COVID, I felt like we would have had all of it spent a whole lot sooner. Worst thing we could do is have somebody open up in the middle of a downturn, or something as unique as COVID, and then they end up closing and not being able to be successful.”
MORE: Buzzed Bull Creamery and Roll On In
Evans tapas restaurant Stay Social Tap & Table was the first recipient of the Destination Retail funds. The Development Authority issued a $62,025 grant to the café, which opened in 2021; along with a loan of $37,975, totaling $100,000. If Stay Social produces $1.2 million in sales within its first two years, the loan is forgiven, according to the promissory note issued by the Authority to the restaurant.
Buzzed Bull Creamery and Roll On In, a dessert shop and sushi bar respectively, comprise the second Destination Retail funding recipient, having also applied for $100,000. Each are separate concepts branded by Elite Franchise Group. Local franchise owners Benjamin and Tracy Frey decided to combine the two in one location.
According to the Destination Retail Incentive Policy guidelines, eligible projects must meet four minimum requirements: the business must be a “destination retailer,” or fulfills an unmet need in the market, must invest at least $250,000; create five net new jobs in the county; and must locate in an “approved development corridor.”
In the case of the latter, the approved area is the Evans Towne Center overlay. As such, both businesses are located inside The Plaza at Evans Towne Center, owned by Meybohm Real Estate.
Bennett says that the policy program was designed for the district, after the Development Authority concluded that the Evans Town Center overlay district would be the appropriate area to launch the program.
“We’d had conversations on whether we make it countywide,” said Bennett. “How far will $500,000 go countywide? Where’s the greater need? And really, that sense of community that was trying to be built in the Evans Town Center overlay area was the driver so that’s what we went with this time.”
Stay Social owner Renee Hajek, in a February 2020 letter to Bennett, noted that she was already in negotiations to lease in another space when county manager Scott Johnson approached her about the program.
MORE: Naked Epicurean visits Stay Social
The letter went on to note that it was the prospect of the Destination Retail funds, along with five months free rent and $75,000 in tenant improvement allowance from Meybohm, were the “sole deciding factors” in her decision to change her business plan in order to lease in the Plaza building.
Several businesses expressed interest in the program, Bennett says, and were effectively screened out in introductory meetings. Only three businesses officially applied to the program. Stay Social and Buzzed Bull Creamery/Roll On In were accepted, and a third, Glam Glitz Grace Boutique, was denied.
“Somebody would call hey, ‘I want to open a hair salon.’ A hair salon is not a destination retailer,” Bennett said. “It’s not a restaurant; it’s not filling an unmet need; it’s not a qualifying business.”
Bennett says that so far, most businesses that have sought after the program’s benefits have wanted to set up in The Plaza, but that a qualifying enterprise wouldn’t be limited to that building.
“If somebody came to us and had a business idea that they wanted to open up, and it was somewhere else, then I’d be more than happy to work with them,” he said. “As long as us in that Evans overlay district.”
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
