CityView Magazine

business Soldier Cents O The return of about 10,000 soldiers has helped Fayetteville businesses By Michael Jaenicke ne of President Obama���s better stimu- of Dax���s Deals, auto dealerships on McPherson Church Road and Raeford Road. lus programs may have been returning miliThankfully, we���re in a recession-proof business with our tary personnel to American soil. proximity to Fort Bragg,��� Yarborough said. ���Business comes Since the first week of September, nearin waves and we see a difference when the troops return ly 10,000 paratroopers have filtered back into Cumberland home.��They like to come in after a deployment to treat themCounty, providing an economic boost to Fayetteville-area reselves to a nice car.��� tailers. More returned around Thanksgiving and others came While service members may prefer home cooking, they before the ringing of the Christmas bells. don���t seem to mind having their countrymen as chefs. ResUpon their arrival, roadways became more congested, taurant owners are experiencing the euphoria of over-filled lines became longer and cash registers began to chime on big tables. While they couldn���t make official statements, managebox items, such as houses, vehicles, appliances, electronics ment officials at Outback Steakhouse, Ruby Tuesday, Olive and furniture. Smaller items such as tools, toys, clothing and Garden and Joe���s Crab Shack any and every thing hobbysaid they���ve noticed more camrelated have been flying off Rick Hendrick Toyota ouflage attire, closely cropped the shelves like an F-14 in haircuts and Army families in freefall. their establishments. NightThe 82nd Airborne Diviclubs such as It���z Entertainsion Headquarters brought ment City, Barcelona and Sky back 750 Paratroopers, the Lounge have had many busy 1st Brigade Combat Team nights where customers filled brought more than 3,000 their establishments. Paratroopers, the 4th Bri���We have fairly steady sales gade Combat Team delivered in normal times, but yes, we���ve about 3,500 Paratroopers and seen an increase,��� said Brian the 82nd Combat Aviation Schrock, general manager Brigade filled our streets with at Huske Hardware House, a restaurant, bar and night club 2,500 Paratroopers �����nearly 10,000 soldiers in all. located Downtown on Hay Street. ���We have a solid military ���When soldiers come home it definitely helps the econcustomer base and definitely see it impact our business. Sales omy,��� said Rhonda Bright, manager of Bailey���s Jewelers in have increased the past few months.��� Cross Creek Mall. ���It seems the soldiers have shopped most Before and after filling their stomachs, military personfor engagement rings and then Pandora.��� nel have been window shopping, price checking, comparison Pandora is line of popular charm bracelets, rings, earrings shopping and, most importantly, purchasing. And they���ve and necklaces. caused a bit of a bustle. Officials at the Cumberland County The buying power of the more than 57,000 soldiers ��� and Sheriff���s Department said they have put extra hours into plantheir families ��� stationed at Fort Bragg has kept the econoning to keep the road moving, particularly the high-traffic my stable in Fayetteville and caused a bit of a rumble in the ficommercial byways. nal quarter of the 2012, according to Dax Yarborough, owner 24 | January/February ��� 2013

• Cover