Columbia, SC (WLTX) - The South Carolina State Fair no doubt has an economic impact on the Midlands, however some businesses say when it's in town, it makes business anything but happy.
"When I started this practice back in 1978, there was a significant change during fair week," said Dr. Neal Atkinson of Shandon Wood Animal Clinic. "It was almost like someone came in and syphoned all the money and people away from Columbia. I think it still exists as a real impact today."
During an appointment Tuesday with Agro the dog, Atkinson says there are more holes in the schedule than usual.
"A lot of people have an income that they have to decide 'what do I spend it on this week'. So, if the fair is coming and they're taking their children, it's not an inexpensive trip. So, they have to plan 'maybe this isn't the week to take Argo to the vet'. For routine things many times they put it off to another time. We could see the change in the number of people that came in."
Across town off Harbison Boulevard, Love Chevrolet has also seen a drop in the number of customers coming to their lot.
"This is a great time to come buy a car. Inventories are at their largest they'll be all year. We've already got the 2013 models," said sales manager Jeremy Carter. "The good thing about this time of year is the wait time is a little lower, inventory is a little better."