Thousands of businesses depend on the success of the Atlanta Gift & Home Furnishings Market every year. When the unprecedented Atlanta winter storm hit just before market, vendors, retailers and local Atlanta businesses feared the worst. Flights were canceled, roads were impassable, and the market center was almost empty.
We kicked off market on January 12 with a barebones staff. Most of our sales team was still trying to work out flight schedules. Members of our IT department, who were able to make it in before the storm hit, pitched in to assist customers. Traffic was slow, but steady. We watched news and road reports hoping for a break in the weather.
