By By MARY-ALLISON LANCASTER – Managing Editor
Vendors with booths won't be the only merchants benefiting from this year's Blueberry Festival.
With the move from the Jefferson Davis Community College campus to downtown, area merchants are excited about the prospect of hundreds of people walking through their doors.
The Alabama Blueberry Festival will be held from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. in downtown Brewton, with most activities taking place in Burnt Corn Creek Park.
Candy Cashman Smith, owner of Shades of Gray, said she has hired extra help for this weekend's event.
Smith said she will be selling a variety of clothing, accessories and shoes at discount prices. On the balcony, items will be 75 percent off, while inside, items storewide will be 20 percent off.
Across the street, the newly opened Willie's is also gearing up for a large crowd. Owner Al Briscoe said he too has brought in some extra help.
Briscoe said he will be opening doors a bit early, 10 a.m. to be exact. Hungry festival goers will have the opportunity to stop inside where it's cool, grab a bite to eat and listen to live music.
Entertainment will feature The Favorites, a variety band based out of Mobile.
They will play during the day and again from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The restaurant will close at 2 a.m.
Smith said she will hold her normal hours, but if it gets to be overwhelming she said she would close if necessary.
This is Briscoe's first Blueberry Festival. As a business owner, he knows it will not only benefit his restaurant, but surrounding businesses.
Other downtown businesses expected to stay open during the festival are Book &Bean, Jus Do, The Cracked Pot, Southern Heirlooms, Azteca and McMillan Wingate, chamber officials said.