Spring Break, Off the Beaten Path

You don’t have to go to Florida to enjoy Spring Break—or endure the crowds, either.

Listen closely. It’s that time of year. You can tell from the sound of college students stampeding down to southeastern beaches. It’s spring break.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that the beaches in the southeastern United States are responsible for what most consider, “spring break culture,” a mystique that has taken hold especially in Florida: Panama City Beach[1], South Beach, Miami Beach, Daytona Beach and Ft. Lauderdale. Each has a tourist infrastructure of hotels, restaurants and attractions adjacent. Together they form the epicenter of spring break: beach parties, hotel pool parties, watersports, and concerts, with an occasional celebrity sighting, or two.

Fort Lauderdale is considered the birthplace of spring break, as we know it today. In the 1930s, swim teams from northern colleges began traveling there for training due to the warm waters and favorable conditions. By the 1950s and 1960s, it became a popular vacation spot for college students, a trend that was further popularized by movies such as “Where the Boys Are.”

The explosion of modern day youth-oriented media, led by live shows on MTV, clips from YouTube, and postings from TikTok have cemented the ritual into place as an institution among the college crowd.

It isn’t for everyone though.

For those who think the concept of spring break and warm weather sounds good, but the idea of being pressed up against crowds of energetic, athletic youngsters doesn’t, you’re in luck. Many places in the sunny southeast, even those beyond Florida, have reinvented themselves into off-the-beaten track spring break destinations. Here’s three of them.

Lumpkin, Georgia

Providence Canyon

Lumpkin, Georgia offers a different kind of appeal that may attract those interested in a more outdoorsy nature-oriented experience. Providence Canyon State Park—”Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon”—offers stunning views, hiking opportunities, and a chance to explore unique geological formations. It’s perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and those looking to enjoy nature. In addition, Lumpkin is located in a region with a rich history, featuring pre-Civil War antebellum architecture in many of its buildings.
C-store of Note:  Merritt Pecan Co. & General Store. Chevron-branded, this unique barn-inspired store sells much more than nuts and pecan pie.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Gatlinburg, Tennessee is at the foot of the Smoky Mountains, the source of its appeal. Springtime in the Smokies is a beautiful time, and it doesn’t hurt that Gatlinburg is the gateway to Pigeon Forge, home to Dollywood. Therefore, spring break visitors can enjoy the best of both worlds, the quiet majesty of Rocky Top and its surroundings, or the family-oriented crowd of an amusement park, somewhat less raucous than what you might find on the Florida coast.
C-store of Note: Old Dad’s General Store, located at the foot of Great Smoky Mountain National Park. After you eat a fried bologna biscuit for breakfast, you can pick up some camping gear for your hike through the Smokies, and check in on the memorabilia collection, including old fashioned candies, home goods, and toys.

Cocoa Beach, Florida

Speaking of Florida, we thought we’d wrap up with a city in the Sunshine State, but one that is a little less bustling than the state’s more high profile beaches. Yes the Kennedy Space Center is there, and some people call the area the “Space Coast,” but Cocoa Beach is different because it has a strong surfing culture, being home to the world-famous Ron Jon Surf Shop. The vibe, as it is in so many surfing locations around the world, is rather laid back.
C-store of Note: We’ll finish by giving a shout out to two SSCS customers, Circle K and Sunoco, which serve surfing enthusiasts and visitors to Cape Canaveral with multiple stores in the area, taking care of food and drink for tourists and locals.

Springtime crowds make for lots of sales and movement of merchandise, and you want to make sure your c-store capitalizes on the retail opportunities of the season. But if you can’t see your store performance detail or lose track of the numbers during a rush, profit potential can’t be realized. It takes the right kind of software for you to manage profitability no matter how hectic it gets, software like SSCS’s Computerized Daily Book back office software. Get full control over the items and springtime promotions flowing through your store. Please give us a call at (800) 972-7277 and we can chat about it.

[1] Known as “Spring Break Capital of the World.”