Business & Tech
No Cash Required at Dacula's Trading Post
The Dacula store is a brick-and-mortar version of the Southern Barter Company, which allows businesses to trade goods and services for barter dollars.
Customers visiting the Cornerstone Village shopping center of Dacula can shop in a store unlike almost any other:
They can browse through , 2300 Liam Ave., and buy an assortment of items -- and walk out paying only sales tax.
The Trading Post is a store version of the online company Southern Barter Club. SBC offers small business members the chance to trade their goods and services for barter dollars, which they can then use to purchase goods and services from other club members.
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"We have access to 50,000 trading partners nationally that share the same barter currency as us," said Trading Post co-owner and SBC president Laurie Sossa. "Trade dollars are just another form of payment. Members contact other members through the barter directory to make purchases with earned trade dollars."
The idea for a brick-and-mortar store came from a trade show where barter goods were up for sale.
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"We invited members of the public to come as well, and told them they were welcome to spend cash or open up an account with us," Sossa said. "We had 500 people in one day."
While The Trading Post is geared toward SBC members, nonmembers are also able to purchase items with cash. Items offered range from teapots to tree removal certificates, something SBC members seem to appreciate.
"It's one store where you can make copies and buy gourmet jelly, too," she said.
Sossa reports that members have come from as far away as Ontario, Canada, to shop at The Trading Post.
Camille Richardson, owner of Premier Design Company, is a one of the company's fans.
"I think it is a wonderful resource for services, and a great resource for gift giving items and home decor," she said.
For customers interested in learning more about the Southern Barter Club, The Trading Post is equipped with a membership desk and training center, and small businesses aren't the only ones using SBC.
"It is becoming increasingly common for consumers to offer real estate they can't sell for cash, rental of a second home that goes unrented for cash and trade items of value or services they have capacity for, if they obtain a business license for conducting those services," Sossa said.
For more information, contact the store at 770-962-0303.