Downtown’s theClubhou.se is applying its startup expertise to the Downtown Soul City nonprofit retail merchant association.

“We help build businesses,” says theClubhou.se cofounder Eric Parker. “So, using our expertise to help other organizations like nonprofits operate more as a business—so they can sustain their efforts—is our sweet spot.”

Thanks to its partnership with theClubhou.se, Downtown Soul City is launching new membership levels for people and businesses who love and support downtown:
Soul Pride Community: Individual supporters can sign up for $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year, with benefits such as swag, event RSVPs and restaurant discounts.
Soul City Sponsor: Non-retail businesses or corporate sponsors can also sign up to support Downtown Soul City at various levels.

It’s also kicking off its first Masters Week event to invite local shoppers and visitors to engage with downtown businesses: the 19th Hole retail crawl.

Shoppers and visitors can pick up a 19th Hole score card at local hotels, at home rental agencies and at participating downtown businesses. Each purchase at the various locations earns a certain score. Once shoppers reach a score of 14, they can take the completed card to Augusta & Co. at 1010 Broad St. and enter to win a gift basket of downtown goodies valued at $250.

Their completed card also gets them a free coffee at downtown’s Ubora Coffee Roasters at 1128 Jones St. or a free draft beer at Riverwatch Brewery at 1175 Fourth St.

“Encouraging local retail is what encourages growth and encourages people and other companies to move downtown,” says John Porter, former head chef and general manager at the Bee’s Knees, co-creator of the 10th Street Bazaar and Downtown Soul City coordinator.

Adds Parker: “We’re giving people who love downtown a way so they can be a partner in helping to grow our local businesses and bring more people to downtown.”

Downtown Soul City launched in 2021 as an association of downtown retail merchants encouraging Augustans to see downtown as a local shopping destination. It hosts Small Business Saturday events every November, inviting Augustans to shop small for the holidays, and Camp Soul City every summer, inviting Augustans to enjoy camp-style activities at local retail stores. For more, visit https://www.downtownsoul.city.