A plan installed in advance to manage the increased traffic expected during the inaugural Greenbrier Classic is running as smoothly as expected, according to Greenbrier County Sheriff James Childers, a sentiment echoed by merchants and visitors alike.
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“It’s a lot of hours for a lot of people — law enforcement, EMS, fire departments — but there’ve been no problems I know of,” Childers said Thursday. “All the departments are working together. The Lewisburg and White Sulphur Springs police departments have done a great job with the traffic, and it appears the buses are moving smoothly.”
Shuttle buses are transporting fans, volunteers and Greenbrier Resort employees between the parking lot at the state fairgrounds in Fairlea and the Old White golf course on the resort grounds, site of the PGA TOUR event.
Crowds were expected to swell as the weekend approached, with the competition getting under way Thursday morning and continuing through Sunday.
Craig Miller, owner of Serenity Now Outfitters on Washington Street, compared the traffic situation in Lewisburg to that experienced during the State Fair, now just two weeks away.
“Traffic is moving better now than it usually does except at fair time,” Miller said.
He said his shop, which is known for its inventory of outdoor adventure equipment, has seen some additional business this week that appears to be Classic-related, attributing much of the influx of patrons to the Reba McEntire concert Wednesday night at the fairgrounds.
“There were people who came to the area specifically for the concert,” Miller noted.
He plans to extend the store’s hours this evening and perhaps Saturday, and is considering opening Sunday, doing his part to welcome the visitors to the area.
“If West Virginia’s name is attached to it, I want it to succeed,” Miller said.
Becky Black, owner of the Stonehouse General Store, also on Washington, said although she’s noticed a drop-off in local customers this week, much like fair week, her shop is also attracting Classic-goers.
“There are tourists in the downtown shops,” Black said Thursday. “While the men are on the golf course, the ladies are out shopping.”
The golf tournament provided an incentive for Black to expand the gift shop’s food service, adding dinner hours to an increasingly popular lunch schedule about three weeks ago.
“Our lunch crowd has been very good this week,” she said, adding, “We always get a lot of courthouse employees and other downtown workers.”
The Plaid Eagle, an antique shop owned and operated by Karen Lee McClung, has also benefited from the Classic crowd.
“I’ve had lovely customers this week,” McClung said. “They’re extremely impressed with the area. I’ve heard nothing but nice comments.”
Prominently featured in the shop are tables full of vintage Greenbrier china, along with furniture and other memorabilia.
“I just sold a Carleton Varney-signed scarf,” McClung noted, referring to the interior designer responsible for continuing the distinctive style of Dorothy Draper which is integral to the ambiance of The Greenbrier.
Among the shoppers in The Plaid Eagle Thursday were three women who were taking a break from volunteer duties at the tournament.
“My friend is marshaling over at the golf course, and I’m just running around,” said Joan T. Hill, a South Charleston native who now lives in Oak Island, N.C.
“We have an RV and are staying at the fairgrounds,” she said. “Everyone has just been so helpful and nice. It’s been a good experience. And the traffic pattern has been awesome.”
Hill came to Greenbrier County for the Classic after attending the all-class reunion in South Charleston. Another former classmate, who now lives in Michigan, is also volunteering at the golf tournament, she said.
“You never lose your way home,” Hill quipped.
Hill’s shopping companions Thursday were Charlotte Meadows of Charleston and Janice Milam of Lewisburg.
Over at the Greenbrier Valley Welcome and Interpretive Center, manager Mary Cole Deitz said she and her staff have provided information to about 200 visitors a day since opening just last week.
“We’re expecting that to pick up as the weekend goes on,” she said. “And we have a tent at the event where we’re offering a few giveaways, and volunteers are handing out visitor guides and brochures.”
Deitz added, “It’s such an easy sell, selling people on the Greenbrier Valley. So many of them come in saying how cool this area is, how much there is to do.”
She said she’s really looking forward to Friday evening festivities planned in the surrounding communities.
“This is our first Friday event. I feel it’ll be really busy in downtown Lewisburg and White Sulphur Springs,” Deitz said. “It’s an exciting time to show folks what we have to offer.”
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