Girls Guide to Georgia-Florida Weekend with Two Friends Boutique

Georgia-Florida Weekend is a big deal in St. Simons Island. Hundreds of fans, students and alums pour onto our little island for a weekend long party. The game is a big deal yes, but the weather is great in the fall and the food and shopping in St. Simons Island, are even better. Even if you’re not traveling to Jacksonville for the game, there is plenty to do in the Golden Isles for the weekend.

I’ve teamed up with Marti Tolleson, fellow Southern C Summit alum and owner of Two Friends to talk GA/FL weekend. Two Friends is an eclectic boutique is located in the heart of the island in Redfern Village across the way from my family’s restaurant Bubba Garcias and packed full of gorgeous home accessories and some of my favorite boho lines perfect for the easygoing style in St. Simons. Two Friends continues to keep me captivated on social media posting new styles, sales, etc. You can often find me at my desk swooning over the latest from Johnny Was…

Since I haven’t been home for the game in several years I wanted to find out what they’re wearing over the weekend, where are they shopping and eating, and where they are watching the game. Additionally, with GA/FL being big business for local shops I was dying to know how they use social media during a really big travel weekend.

Friday: What are you wearing? Where are you going?

Coffee – Wake Up Coffee in Redfern before opening the shop for a busy GA/FL Friday.

I love the baristas there and trust them to make me anything that’s just not too sweet. They always surprise me with something yummy (I like surprises)!

Shopping – Two Friends of course and other fun shops in Redfern Village

Lunch – Sushi at Fancy Q.

I just love the rainbow roll, seaweed salad and fresh salmon sushi….and a sapporo to top it off!

Beach – Soak up some sun at the beach and rest up for a big day on Saturday.

Saturday:What are you wearing? Where are you going?

Game day ready in our Black Lysse leggings and Buckley K off the shoulder top.

Breakfast – Palmer’s Village Cafe

Since it’s going to be a long day you have to fuel up. At Palmer’s I order the Surf Squared – poached eggs over crab cakes, caramelized onions and smoked gouda grit cake, arugula, smoked tomatoes and homemade hollandaise or any fun special that Chef John Beleck prepares. It’s all good!

Game time – Gnatio at Gnat’s Landing

Game time nibbles are the best. At Gnat’s the fried pickles and peppered shrimp are my faves!  Blue Moons or Margs are usually my drinks of choice here!

Post game drinks – Bubba’s Up

The bartenders are the best! I really prefer skinny margaritas and they know how to fix them just right!!!! Of course a side of chips & queso make everything just right in the world!

Where to stay? Any number of local VRBO listings that will accommodate tons of friends!

Favorite beach for GA/FL weekend? East Beach

 Any other local tips to share? Rent a bike from Two Brothers Bike shop—to maneuver around the island easily!  Make dinner reservations early or call a local restaurant for take out options to serve at home.

 

As an entrepreneur in retail, how do you utilize the power of social media to increase foot traffic during a big weekend?

Social media is our biggest, strongest form of reaching our audience. We’ve been posting for the weekend on Pinterest and Instagram for several weeks.

Do you have a favorite social media channel? Why?

Each channel for different reasons but my overall favorite is Instagram. We are able to give a nice “snapshot” of our store however, Snapchat is rapidly becoming a new favorite… It’s a great way to show our personality!

Did you ever have an ah-ha moment in your social media strategy that drastically improved foot traffic or online sales?

Yes, during Hurricane Hermine we delayed our opening due to weather. We decided to make “Hurricane” punch to serve so we snapchatted and IG storied the process of making the punch and ended up have a RECORD day!  Taking a rotten weather day and turning it into a pretty fun shopping  day!

How do you feel about Instagram Stories? Are you using them?

We love stories!  Its a great way to show our personality and bit of behind the scenes. Customers continuously tell us they love watching our stories!

Georgia-Florida weekend will be here before you know it! Make sure to stop by and see Marti and her crew in Redern Village next time you’re in St. Simons Island.

Follow Two Friends on Facebook, Twitter, Instgram, & Snapchat.

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