Although most of the businesses in Covington serve different purposes, they are united by one characteristic: each thrives on local tourism.
Last year alone, 118,278 people visited the Covington Welcome Center alone, and that number is rapidly increasing in 2021 and beyond.
Due to its central location in Covington, Zach Johnston’s Bread and Butter Bakery draws many visitors.
“Tourism has been huge for us as a business and especially for all the merchants downtown,” Johnston said. “The type of people that come here from all over the world is really diverse. And it’s really cool to bring that in. [in] They’re all different people. ”
At the intersection of Washington and Monticello streets, Johnston is hard at work, preparing coffee and chatting with customers.
“I think that’s the core of our differentiation as a business,” Johnston said. “I think it’s about being able to build relationships.”
In addition to the exceptional hospitality and warm weather, many people visit Covington to see landmarks featured in their favorite movies and TV shows. The city was home to the sets of “Remember the Titans,” “The Dukes of Hazzard,” and “Cannonball Run.”
But the most popular locations are those of “The Vampire Diaries,” which was filmed primarily in Covington.
“The biggest attraction for tourists is the movies,” says Johnston. “Right now, the most popular movie is “The Vampire Diaries.”
Local merchants are taking advantage of the city’s charm, with several owners modeling their businesses after the popular show. A few spaces away from the Bread and Butter Bakery is Vampire Stalkers/Mystic Falls Tours, offering fans a tour of the show’s most popular scenes.
Tour guide manager Amber Chandler said most of her customers come from around the world, including Australia, New Zealand and the UK. As a reminder of these unique experiences, her colleagues keep a book with the signatures of all the visitors.
“This is actually one of the show’s diaries, and she’s getting people to sign it,” Chandler said. “That’s really great.”
When visiting a new place, it is common to bring back souvenirs. Tourists enjoy the opportunity to show off their adventures and enjoy owning something as a memento. Often this is accomplished by purchasing a t-shirt like the ones you’ll find at Rush Tees & Signs.
“A lot of the customers that we print for, a lot of the companies that we print for, some of them are directly connected to the tourism industry,” said Taylor Barnett, co-owner of Rush Tees and Signs. “So if you break it down and think about where the end product is, tourism is actually a very large part of our business.”
Walking down the streets of downtown Covington, you can’t help but notice the “small town feel” it has. The Victorian architecture and friendly atmosphere of the business owners create a welcoming environment for outsiders visiting the area.
“We try to treat people as human beings,” Johnston said. “Unfortunately, that’s something that’s being lost in today’s society because everything is transactional and people become numbers. So if someone takes the time to get out of their car and choose a local small business, If we’re going to do that, we want to give them at least 30 seconds of our time, treat them like a human being, ask them about their day, and try to get them the right information. [it] It just got a little better. ”
