The Barnesville-Lamar County Chamber of Commerce delivered relief checks on Friday, May 29, to local businesses impacted by the Market Street fire on the night of March 2, 2026, providing financial support through a community relief fund established for those businesses that were affected.
Four businesses submitted applications for assistance through the fund, and the Chamber was able to award $1,000 to each approved business.
On Friday, Chamber representatives delivered checks to two of those businesses, including Bankston’s Barber Shop and Salon and Goggans Florist.
In addition to the business relief funds, Bankston’s submitted an additional application requesting employee assistance funding. Through that request, the Chamber was able to provide $500 checks to each of the shop’s 10 barbers and stylists, offering direct financial support to employees.
Goggans Florist is currently operating from a temporary location at Buck Naked deer cooler, where the business has relocated while Goggans awaits the completion of its new permanent home on the barren Market Street site. The arrangement has allowed the florist to continue serving customers, particularly because Buck Naked is not currently occupied by deer-processing operations during the hunting offseason. Nolan Rampey of Goggans Florist said they hope to begin construction soon, which has been halted due to recent rainfall.
The fire completely destroyed the florist’s previous structure, leaving the business to quickly adapt and relocate in order to continue operations.
The relief effort reflects an ongoing commitment from the Chamber and the community to support local businesses as they recover and rebuild following the fire.
Grant Turner is the editor of the Barnesville Buzz and an educator, coach, and writer based in Barnesville, Georgia. He shares stories that bridge community, faith, and personal growth. In addition to teaching and coaching, Grant is Director of Musical Worship and a Sunday School teacher at New Hope Baptist Church in Zebulon, Georgia. He lives in Barnesville with his wife, Haley.
