- Request immediate, swift action by the Georgia Governor's Office, Jekyll Island State Park Oversight Committee, and Jekyll Island Authority Board of Directors to stop JIA employees from executing their current plan to force these shop owners out of business.
- Request that Jekyll Island Board of Directors immediately direct JIA employees to STOP removing and/or requesting removal of social media posts written legally by individual citizens who have expressed concern on the execution of the action taken and how it is impacting current business owners, how it may impact other commercial tenants on the island and in the state of Georgia, and how it impacts tourist engagement with the Historic District.
Ousted shops include: The Commissary, Just By Hand, The Island House, Something for Everyone Gifts, Doc's Snack Shop, Cotton & Copper, and Island Sweets Shoppe.
Please support Pier Road independent shop owners in Jekyll Island's Historic District by signing this petition.
View Brunswick News article:
'New Direction for Jekyll Historic District Prompts Closing of Decades Old Businesses' https://thebrunswicknews.com/news/local_news/new-direction-for-jekyll-historic-district-prompts-closing-of-decades-old-businesses/article_f802cdec-4ed6-5fe4-b62b-bf39a72beece.html
As of right now, they have a mere 90 days left in their leased historic district shops. These are all independent small business owners, not part of Jekyll Island Authority or the resort. They have spent their own money to improve and maintain their locations over the years, and the way they are being treated is unprecedented. The Pier Road Shoppes are an integral part of the Jekyll Island experience. They have weathered so many storms (trailer relocations, pandemic, cancelled events and traditions that were important for generating revenue) - and prevailed, until now.
On Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 owners of the Pier Road Shoppes received certified letters from the Jekyll Island Authority notifying them that their leases would not be renewed at the end of the year, and that they would have to shutter their businesses and leave the premises by Dec. 31, 2023. Some of these shops have been open for decades, and to receive this news in a certified letter was devastating and shocking. They had no idea their leases would not be renewed. And there's no other available commercial space on the island where they can move to.
The Brunswick News reports, "A letter dated Tuesday, Sept. 19, informed them that the leases for the businesses along the road will need to meet with the authority’s lease manager to set up a time to “meet and turn over the premises.” It instructs businesses to review their leases for all move-out requirements “which include removing all your personal property and settling outstanding invoices.”
“After evaluating the future of Pier Road, including the historic assets located here, the Jekyll Island Authority is looking at enhancements to all operations found in the historic district area and will move in a new direction with the shops currently located along this road,” the letter said. “As a result, the Authority will not offer any renewal options for your business lease moving forward.’
“Currently, we do not have any additional commercial space available elsewhere on the island,” the letter continued. “Still, we encourage you to submit a business proposal as space becomes available and proposal requests are announced.”
Shop owners are being forced to close their businesses and surrender the leased premises during one of their highest tourist traffic periods of the year. How can they provide holiday cheer to Holly Jolly Jekyll visitors when they are now faced with the loss of their businesses - not to mention supporting their employees and creating a memorable experience for customers and visitors?
Please extend your support by joining us in petitioning the Governor of Georgia, Jekyll Island State Park Oversight Committee, and Jekyll Island Authority Board of Directors. This action must be stopped to ensure fairness and transparency for all commercial tenants leasing government-owned properties.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
October 14, 2023
October 9, 2023
Seeing this kind of momentum confirms that I am not the only one heartbroken by the destruction of these irreplaceable shops. Knowing so many of you value the soul of our historic district gives me the strength to keep pushing against these officials.
Reached 100 supporters
October 4, 2023
October 3, 2023
These local shops have been part of my family's traditions for years and watching them get pushed out is heartbreaking. We are nearing a hundred signatures and hitting that mark will prove to the board that this community refuses to stay silent about our history.
633 Comments
I’m disappointed that the JIA did not include the merchants in the conversation to improves sales in the historic district. That way it would have given business owners a chance to sell their businesses or change their way of doing business to drive sales.
We have been coming to the island for years. We have always enjoyed shopping at the island shops, buying locally crafted items for ourselves and as gifts instead of buying the tourist-style Chinese made crap in the more public places.
We have been coming to Jekyll Island for 40+ years. These locally owned small businesses are an integral part of the island and why we love coming here. Please help find a way to keep these businesses on the island. Pier Road is perfect as it is.
The shop owners of Just By Hand are both handicapped. Mr. Hart has Parkinson’s Disease and Mrs. Hart has a deformed left ankle and severe scolioses. Is this what progress and the bottom line means to a disabled couple that will lose everything?
Please reconsider keeping the shops! I would pay double or more to get on the island to keep the charm of the shops! Please stop the JIA from deleting our posts in protest!!!! There has been no freedom of speech. Please don’t turn Jekyll into Myrtle Beach!!!!!!
After vacationing on Jekyll for over 40 years, this year may be the last time. This island was given to the state with the promise it was remain accessible for all citizens of the state of Georgia. It appears the Authority has other plans. Way to destroy a good thing all over money and control. Bye,
We visit every year and I just stopped by the sweet shop to take my daughter and it was shuttered. The next day I went to pick up my favorite salsa and always check out the ither shops only to find out they were gone. I am so sad and surprised everything is changing on the island. No more pier road shops, no driftwood bistro, no reserve restaurant ( now something else) I told my husband that this vacation jekyll island has broken my heart and I don't wanna come back for awhile.
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- Request immediate, swift action by the Georgia Governor's Office, Jekyll Island State Park Oversight Committee, and Jekyll Island Authority Board of Directors to stop JIA employees from executing their current plan to force these shop owners out of business.
- Request that Jekyll Island Board of Directors immediately direct JIA employees to STOP removing and/or requesting removal of social media posts written legally by individual citizens who have expressed concern on the execution of the action taken and how it is impacting current business owners, how it may impact other commercial tenants on the island and in the state of Georgia, and how it impacts tourist engagement with the Historic District.
Ousted shops include: The Commissary, Just By Hand, The Island House, Something for Everyone Gifts, Doc's Snack Shop, Cotton & Copper, and Island Sweets Shoppe.
Please support Pier Road independent shop owners in Jekyll Island's Historic District by signing this petition.
View Brunswick News article:
'New Direction for Jekyll Historic District Prompts Closing of Decades Old Businesses' https://thebrunswicknews.com/news/local_news/new-direction-for-jekyll-historic-district-prompts-closing-of-decades-old-businesses/article_f802cdec-4ed6-5fe4-b62b-bf39a72beece.html
As of right now, they have a mere 90 days left in their leased historic district shops. These are all independent small business owners, not part of Jekyll Island Authority or the resort. They have spent their own money to improve and maintain their locations over the years, and the way they are being treated is unprecedented. The Pier Road Shoppes are an integral part of the Jekyll Island experience. They have weathered so many storms (trailer relocations, pandemic, cancelled events and traditions that were important for generating revenue) - and prevailed, until now.
On Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 owners of the Pier Road Shoppes received certified letters from the Jekyll Island Authority notifying them that their leases would not be renewed at the end of the year, and that they would have to shutter their businesses and leave the premises by Dec. 31, 2023. Some of these shops have been open for decades, and to receive this news in a certified letter was devastating and shocking. They had no idea their leases would not be renewed. And there's no other available commercial space on the island where they can move to.
The Brunswick News reports, "A letter dated Tuesday, Sept. 19, informed them that the leases for the businesses along the road will need to meet with the authority’s lease manager to set up a time to “meet and turn over the premises.” It instructs businesses to review their leases for all move-out requirements “which include removing all your personal property and settling outstanding invoices.”
“After evaluating the future of Pier Road, including the historic assets located here, the Jekyll Island Authority is looking at enhancements to all operations found in the historic district area and will move in a new direction with the shops currently located along this road,” the letter said. “As a result, the Authority will not offer any renewal options for your business lease moving forward.’
“Currently, we do not have any additional commercial space available elsewhere on the island,” the letter continued. “Still, we encourage you to submit a business proposal as space becomes available and proposal requests are announced.”
Shop owners are being forced to close their businesses and surrender the leased premises during one of their highest tourist traffic periods of the year. How can they provide holiday cheer to Holly Jolly Jekyll visitors when they are now faced with the loss of their businesses - not to mention supporting their employees and creating a memorable experience for customers and visitors?
Please extend your support by joining us in petitioning the Governor of Georgia, Jekyll Island State Park Oversight Committee, and Jekyll Island Authority Board of Directors. This action must be stopped to ensure fairness and transparency for all commercial tenants leasing government-owned properties.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
October 14, 2023
October 9, 2023
Seeing this kind of momentum confirms that I am not the only one heartbroken by the destruction of these irreplaceable shops. Knowing so many of you value the soul of our historic district gives me the strength to keep pushing against these officials.
Reached 100 supporters
October 4, 2023
October 3, 2023
These local shops have been part of my family's traditions for years and watching them get pushed out is heartbreaking. We are nearing a hundred signatures and hitting that mark will prove to the board that this community refuses to stay silent about our history.
633 Comments
Stop turning Jekyll Island into another high priced tourist destination. Jekyll Island is supposed to be the the average Georgian. You are erasing the history of the island and replacing it with horrible hotels and shops that are a dime a dozen.
I’m disappointed that the JIA did not include the merchants in the conversation to improves sales in the historic district. That way it would have given business owners a chance to sell their businesses or change their way of doing business to drive sales.
We have been coming to the island for years. We have always enjoyed shopping at the island shops, buying locally crafted items for ourselves and as gifts instead of buying the tourist-style Chinese made crap in the more public places.
We have been coming to Jekyll Island for 40+ years. These locally owned small businesses are an integral part of the island and why we love coming here. Please help find a way to keep these businesses on the island. Pier Road is perfect as it is.
The shop owners of Just By Hand are both handicapped. Mr. Hart has Parkinson’s Disease and Mrs. Hart has a deformed left ankle and severe scolioses. Is this what progress and the bottom line means to a disabled couple that will lose everything?
Please reconsider keeping the shops! I would pay double or more to get on the island to keep the charm of the shops! Please stop the JIA from deleting our posts in protest!!!! There has been no freedom of speech. Please don’t turn Jekyll into Myrtle Beach!!!!!!
After vacationing on Jekyll for over 40 years, this year may be the last time. This island was given to the state with the promise it was remain accessible for all citizens of the state of Georgia. It appears the Authority has other plans. Way to destroy a good thing all over money and control. Bye,
We visit every year and I just stopped by the sweet shop to take my daughter and it was shuttered. The next day I went to pick up my favorite salsa and always check out the ither shops only to find out they were gone. I am so sad and surprised everything is changing on the island. No more pier road shops, no driftwood bistro, no reserve restaurant ( now something else) I told my husband that this vacation jekyll island has broken my heart and I don't wanna come back for awhile.
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Stop turning Jekyll Island into another high priced tourist destination. Jekyll Island is supposed to be the the average Georgian. You are erasing the history of the island and replacing it with horrible hotels and shops that are a dime a dozen.