City of Beaufort brings back Downtown Dollars to support businesses facing shopping slowdown

BEAUFORT, S.C. (WTOC) - Some businesses in downtown, Beaufort are hoping for a change of luck heading into the holiday shopping season.

Over the last year and some change, local shops and restaurants along Bay Street have had to navigate several hurdles that have significantly impacted foot traffic and operations, from the ongoing closure of portions of the waterfront to an extensive stormwater project.

The slowdown followed a post-pandemic boom that businesses are now struggling to replicate.

“Every parking spot was full, every restaurant was packed, and waiting lists were hours out,” Southern Sweets Manager Payton Gordon said. “It’s definitely been a big impact on a lot of businesses just because the tourists, they come here once and maybe they’ll buy a handful of things, but then they don’t want to come back, or they won’t tell other people to come back because they might have not enjoyed it as much as they were hoping that they would.”

Those compounding challenges recently claimed a popular local staple.

Hemingway’s Bistro closed its doors earlier this month, citing in a Facebook post that closures along the waterfront and the nearby stormwater project played a big role in the decision to shut down.

To help businesses avoid a similar fate and draw shoppers back to Bay Street ahead of the holidays, the City of Beaufort is bringing back its Downtown Dollars initiative.

“Downtown Beaufort is the heart and soul of the city, and we want to support that and continue to have it be a vibrant area for our community and for our visitors,” Downtown Beaufort Manager and Main Street Beaufort Director Sarah Sutton said. “Anything we can do to support our downtown businesses and support shopping small and keeping it local, we want to do.”

Through the program, shoppers can purchase $20 coupons at a 40% discount, in increments up to $200, to spend at participating local businesses.

The city emphasized that the discount does not cut into business bottom lines, and participating shops do not have to pay into the program.

Last year, the city sold out all $50,000 in available Downtown Dollars.

“We did see a 100% return on that. So, all the $50,000 in Downtown Dollars sold were turned into the businesses,” Sutton said.

The coupons were then handed over to the city, and they paid out the businesses.

City leaders expect the coupons to go on sale in November.

They will be valid for use downtown during Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.

In addition to the coupon program, the city plans to keep parking in the nearby Marina Lot free of charge through the rest of the year to encourage visitors to shop and dine local.

Also on the calendar for Downtown Beaufort is the monthly First Friday on November 8.

A street closure will be involved in that, but people will be able to walk downtown and enjoy.

It also kicks off the city’s theme for November, which is “Art Around the Town” to celebrate local and regional artists around the area.