local business

The Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce sign hangs from the Crawford Depot. New “Patriot Bucks” program aims to boost small businesses by rewarding residents for shopping local. (Photo/Ansley Gavlak)

The Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce sign hangs from the Crawford Depot. New “Patriot Bucks” program aims to boost small businesses by rewarding residents for shopping local. (Photo/Ansley Gavlak)

Chamber launches Patriot Bucks to encourage local spending

Ansley Gavlak
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Shopping in Oglethorpe County just got easier with the launch of Patriot Bucks. The $10 cards were to be randomly mailed to 250 households this week to encourage local spending. The cards can be used like cash for any item or service at participating businesses within the county.
Debbie Winsett wraps a holiday-themed, hand-painted glass bottle she made and sold at her booth — Light Up Your Life — at the Christmas Marketplace at the Craw- ford Depot on Sunday. Winsett also sold hand-painted University of Georgia pieces that were sold out by the last day of the marketplace. “I call myself ‘Light Up Your Life,’ because most of the things that I do — all of my bottles — light up,” Winsett said. “I started painting lamp shades, and they all light up.” (Photo/Emily Adams)

Debbie Winsett wraps a holiday-themed, hand-painted glass bottle she made and sold at her booth — Light Up Your Life — at the Christmas Marketplace at the Craw- ford Depot on Sunday. Winsett also sold hand-painted University of Georgia pieces that were sold out by the last day of the marketplace. “I call myself ‘Light Up Your Life,’ because most of the things that I do — all of my bottles — light up,” Winsett said. “I started painting lamp shades, and they all light up.” (Photo/Emily Adams)

PHOTOS: The Christmas Marketplace

Emily Adams
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Landon Howard, owner and founder of Howard’s Detailing, has been detailing cars since early 2023. A junior at OCHS, Howard balances academics, club and leadership involvement, church involvement and running his business. (Submitted Photo)

Landon Howard, owner and founder of Howard’s Detailing, has been detailing cars since early 2023. A junior at OCHS, Howard balances academics, club and leadership involvement, church involvement and running his business. (Submitted Photo)

Howard balances OCHS, car detailing business

Grace Burnett
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
When he’s not serving as an FFA officer, attending club meetings or maintaining his 4.0 GPA, Landon Howard can be found cleaning and detailing cars for Oglethorpe County residents and beyond.
Lexington’s Frankie Hart, owner and operator of Hart Tree Care, wears his tree-climbing gear. He used his skills to help clear debris during Hurricane Helene relief efforts in North Carolina. (Emily Adams/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Lexington’s Frankie Hart, owner and operator of Hart Tree Care, wears his tree-climbing gear. He used his skills to help clear debris during Hurricane Helene relief efforts in North Carolina. (Emily Adams/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Hart makes tree care a high-flying career

Grace Burnett
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
 Frankie Hart, owner and operator of Hart Tree Care, offers tree removal, pruning, cabling and bracing, contract climbing, cat rescues and 24/7 emergency services — with the safety of both nature and people in mind.
Workers are renovating the building that is planned to house Lexpresso in Lexington. Owner Blair Dorminey is working with the Historic Preservation Commission to make sure it retains its “character.” (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Workers are renovating the building that is planned to house Lexpresso in Lexington. Owner Blair Dorminey is working with the Historic Preservation Commission to make sure it retains its “character.” (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Lexpresso coffee shop to open next to Smith-Turner House

Jennifer Xia
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Lexpresso, a new coffee shop in the works for downtown Lexington, is slated for a potential fall opening.  The building at 307 West Main St. is undergoing renovation and will offer specialty espresso drinks with a historic ambiance.
Rick Skoglund (left) hands over the keys to the property of Mathews Used Cars to Mike and Mari Robb, the new owners. The dealership has been in business since 1965, with Skoglund buying it from Raymond Mathews in 2010. (Photo/Elizabeth Kim)

Rick Skoglund (left) hands over the keys to the property of Mathews Used Cars to Mike and Mari Robb, the new owners. The dealership has been in business since 1965, with Skoglund buying it from Raymond Mathews in 2010. (Photo/Elizabeth Kim)

Mathews Used Cars closing after 60 years

Elizabeth Kim
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Mathews Used Cars will close its doors next week after 60 years in business. The dealership’s property and building have been sold, but owner Rick Skoglund will continue to to sell its current inventory.
Ryan Sowell (from left), Chuck Thornton and James Thornton take a break from working on the Georgia Airsoft Inc. facility in Winterville last month. Thornton was one of the first to open a commercial airsoft facility. (Photo/Mitchell Stone)

Ryan Sowell (from left), Chuck Thornton and James Thornton take a break from working on the Georgia Airsoft Inc. facility in Winterville last month. Thornton was one of the first to open a commercial airsoft facility. (Photo/Mitchell Stone)

Georgia Airsoft survives through economic battles

Mitchell Stone
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Commercial airsoft was virtually non-existent in the Southeast until Chuck Thornton, a Winterville resident and paintball/airsoft pro shop owner, decided to start his own business in his backyard.