Small Businesses

DAWSON Small Businesses

Photos and Story By: Jacob Smith jsmith@dawsonnews.com

Dawson County is built around the hardworking people and businesses that call this county home. From gun stores to coffee shops and vintage boutiques, there are countless local businesses that need our support. Here are some of the small businesses that make Dawson County great:

APPALACHIAN Armory

Keith Hudson had always dreamed of owning a gun store. Now, after moving to Dawsonville, he, his wife Lynda and their son Zach all work together at their very own mom-and-pop

shop, Appalachian Armory.

Located right off of the historic Dawsonville square, the Hudson’s have operated Appalachian Armory for almost 12 years.

The secret, according to Lynda Hudson said, is making work not feel like work at all.

“We love what we do,” Hudson said. “If you don’t like your job, find something that you do like. It consistently reaffirms why we do what we do.

To sum up the North Georgia feel, Hudson said they call the store Appalachian Armory because Dawson County is one of the few places that still has a strong Appalachia feel to it.

In addition to it’s large selection of rifles and handguns, Appalachian Armory has different gun accessories and knives to purchase as well. Customizing services are also available upon request.

The store prides itself on honor, integrity and being very pro second amendment, but also community oriented. A few years ago, they designed an assault rifle for the Dawson County Tigers soccer team to raffle off. After raising $15,000 on the raffle, the store donated every penny to the soccer program.

“It’s because we live here and we want to support the community,” Hudson said. “This is Dawsonville to me. This is the hometown atmosphere.”

Fancy FLEA

In the heart of downtown Dawsonville, anyone can become a vintage salesman at the antique store Fancy Flea, where co-owners Mary Wright and Betsy Anderson rent out spaces for vendors to sell different unique and antique items. Fancy Flea has been around for two years and in that time, they have amassed a group antique collectors that will travel state lines to come and survey the different booths within the store. One could find anything from old records, to homemade candles or even hand-sewn baby clothes. “What is so unique about our store is that if you like the things we sell, you can become a part of it by selling your own items,” Wright said. Though there is an existing garden currently, the shop is planning to start an entirely revamped garden to help support the Dawsonville Women’s Club efforts to help local bees in their Save Our Bees movement. Wright said they love being in the small downtown Dawsonville area and think that the area could become a popular tourist attraction at any moment. “There is just so much character in this part of Dawsonville,” Wright said. “Can’t you just imagine people walking down these sidewalks and stopping by all sorts of different shops?”

WHITMIRE Animal Hospital

Next to RaceTrac on Ga. 400, the Whitmire Animal Hospital has been serving the pets of Dawsonville since 2018.

Offering comprehensive veterinary medical care and surgery has been a lifelong adventure for Dr. William Gholston, clinic owner and head veterinarian.

Gholston’s father owned his own veterinary practice out of Peachtree Corners, Georgia, and Gholston fell in love with taking care of animals and making sure they received the best care possible.

After graduating from the University of Georgia, Gholston worked with an animal hospital in Alpharetta, but wanted to start his own practice.

“We were familiar with the area and have been very fortunate that the area is growing and supports small and large businesses,” Kristina Gholston, Gholston’s wife and practice manager said.

After opening it’s doors in late August 2018, Gholston said that the tight-knit community of Dawsonville has already made them feel welcomed and at home.

The staff at Whitmire works with clients and their pets on things such as dental care, microchipping, annual vaccinations and radiology appointments.

Gholston said it’s the staff at Whitmire that keeps everything afloat and running smoothly.

“They’re phenomenal,” Gholston said. “When we opened our business, our number one mission was the well being of our clients and our family and staff. We love them and we want to know what their needs are. We relay that back to our culture in office. We are a very family oriented culture.”

KG CLEANERS

Voted best cleaning service in in Dawson County five years in a row, KG Cleaning Service, owned and operated by Ken Goines, loves being a part of the Dawson County community. When Goines first moved here from Indiana, he said he had $30 in his pocket and nowhere to go. “This town took me in … almost like they adopted me,” Goines said. KG Cleaning will clean any flooring surface from tile to carpet to hardwood and will clean furniture and staircases as well. They also go as far to repair or restrech any loose carpet. Goines said that he feels extra grateful getting to do what he does with the current stress of the global pandemic looming over people’s families. “I love what I do,” Goines said. “I get to come in and help the mom who is working hard all the time, has three kids, overwhelmed. I can clean her carpets and just give her the good feeling that something is accomplished.” Though based out of Dawsonville, KG Cleaning Service covers the vast majority of North Georgia, going as far south as some parts of Atlanta and going as up in the mountains as Ballground and Helen. “The business has been a blessing from God,” Goines said. “I know almost everybody in Dawsonville and it is truly an honor getting to represent my neighbors and friends as the Best of Dawson.”