Wednesday, August 29, 2018

(News 12 First at 5)

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Businesses have continuously opened in downtown Augusta, just to close months later. It’s become the story of downtown. But one bakery has stood strong.

Gene Gurley owns Sunshine Bakery. He says it hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it.

"Just hard work in the beginning, and they built a reputation that's good food and good service. And everyone just loved it generations to generations," Gurley explained how the business has withstood 72 years of business.

Gurley is the newest owner, but he's no stranger to the service industry.

"I've been in the service industry for really all of my life, growing up in the grocery business and serving at some better restaurants in town. I found out [the bakery] was for sale and decided to go for it."

Since the beginning of the year downtown is seeing a change for the better. According to the city, 110 businesses have opened since January. Only two have closed. Gene says you just never know what’s going to happen in this area.

"I've been here pretty much my whole life and people come and go, and it just depends with the cyber stuff going on the downtown campus. Classes started I believe last week. There is going to be a lot more people down here to support the businesses when they do open now."

Though with so much change, Gurley tells us that, right now, downtown is the place to be.

"The growth of downtown, right now I think, it’s a good time in Augusta's history to start something. It’s the place to be."

Only time will tell.