Washington Road businesses, locals see increase in crowds

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Businesses on Washington Road are seeing a big boost in customers this week as people arrive in Augusta from all over the world.

We checked in with some businesses that live in the shadow of Augusta National all year long.

Top Dawg Tavern says it’s been consistently busy all week. They also say this is the busiest it’s ever been as patrons leave the course and head over to Washington Road for the night.

Restaurants have been preparing for this type of rush.

“I think the restaurants are probably more prepared than most the other businesses,” said Aaron Sims, CSRA resident.

But they say this year has been even busier than last year.

Bryan Beverly and Jinny Smith with Top Dawg Tavern said: “This week, it’s been crazy. A lot of preparation, and planning for this week going into it. Getting no service staff and things like that. But the guests that are coming in are always polite, you know, just more people than normal. This, not last year coming in the building.”

It’s the kind of business that will help them for the rest of the year.

“Until we got the Masters, things kind of slow down a little bit. I think Masters is one time this year when everybody wants to come out to Washington Road to hang out. I’ve noticed over the years like I said Masters is the place to be,” said Beverly and Smith.

Locals are also noticing more people this year.

Sims said: “It’s been going increasing in volume. So, this year has been the biggest volume that we’ve seen. And so, for locals, if you go to the tournament or not, somebody, don’t you have tickets or don’t, it’s okay. You can still go out and have fun.”

And that’s exactly what they’ll keep on doing — having fun.

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