As holiday shopping season kicks into high gear, state officials are warning Georgians to stay alert after new federal data revealed Americans lost nearly $13 billion to fraud last year. Georgia was among the hardest-hit states, with residents losing an estimated $300 million to cyber-related scams.
Small Business Saturday is here, and local merchants across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia say the day plays a major role in keeping hometown businesses strong. While Black Friday often draws shoppers to large retailers and online stores, Small Business Saturday shifts the focus back to the locally owned shops, restaurants, and service providers that form the backbone of rural communities.
As Black Friday rolls into Small Business Saturday, merchants across Chattooga County are preparing for one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. While national retailers compete with major online sales, many local shop owners say this weekend has become increasingly important for small businesses in Summerville, Trion, Menlo, and Lyerly.
As the holiday season ramps up, cybersecurity experts are warning shoppers in Northwest Georgia and across the country to be cautious when using QR codes. While the codes have become a convenient part of everyday life—used for menus, payments, package tracking, and event check-ins—they are also becoming a growing target for scammers.
Black Friday has shifted dramatically over the years, and shoppers across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia are experiencing a very different holiday shopping season than they once did. What used to be a single, crowded day of doorbusters has evolved into a weeks-long event that blends online convenience with in-store deals stretching from October through December.
Several downtown Summerville businesses are teaming up to offer a special holiday shopping event on Thanksgiving night, inviting residents to kick off the Christmas season with late-night deals, refreshments, and festive fun.
As Thanksgiving approaches, many Georgia households are bracing for a holiday meal that, while offering some relief on the centerpiece, continues to strain their budgets. Despite a welcome dip in wholesale turkey prices, the overall cost of putting together a traditional feast remains a significant balancing act for families across the state, squeezed by persistent inflation on many other grocery staples.
The Center Post Community Center is inviting the public to its annual Christmas Market coming up on Saturday, November 29th. The event will run from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and promises a festive day of shopping, food, and holiday cheer.
