AC repair in Pooler, GA

POOLER, Ga. — The FedEx facility in Pooler has been preparing for six months to handle the holiday shipping rush, with managers calling it their “Super Bowl.”

The facility hired more than 200 extra employees to manage the package volume that has more than doubled during the holiday season. The operation now delivers more than 50,000 packages daily.

“This is our Super Bowl. Okay, this is what we do. We have been planning for this all year long,” said David Moseley, Senior Manager at the facility.

How packages move through the facility

Packages entering the FedEx facility in Pooler are scanned upon entry and sent through a quarter-mile conveyor belt system. They are then sorted by employees, loaded onto trucks assigned to specific addresses, and delivered to doorsteps.

Dylan Vincent, facility operations senior manager, said employees understand the importance of timely delivery during the holiday season.

“Every single one of our people understands that every package they touch right now is a Christmas present,” Vincent said.

Package processing and delivery timeline

The facility recommends customers place and ship orders by next week to ensure delivery before Christmas Eve. A premium service allows packages shipped on Dec. 23 to be delivered on Dec. 24, Moseley said.

Improvements from last year

The facility has seen improvements compared to last year, when delivery delays prompted numerous customer complaints.

“We got a lot more help this year. I know last year was a struggle, but we got a lot more package handlers. The managers are working very well,” said Kayla Neal, operations supervisor.

Neal advised customers to remain patient, as thousands of orders have been placed in recent weeks.

“Just bear with us. Patience. Thousands of people have ordered this past few weeks, but you’ll get it, and you’ll get it before Christmas,” Neal said.

Employees said customers experiencing longer-than-normal delivery times should call the facility to check on their package status.

POOLER, GA — Ember Lotus, a new Asian-Brazilian steakhouse from owner Whitney Lam Gilliard, is preparing to open at 1 N Godley Station Blvd, Pooler, GA 31322. Gilliard told Business Debut the build-out is nearly complete, with final equipment arriving and a planned opening before the end of January.

The restaurant will blend Brazilian churrasco service with Asian flavors in a refined family-friendly setting.

Ember Lotus is planned as an upscale environment for family dinners, business meetings, and corporate events, with a focus on being visually appealing for photos and gatherings. The space will include a full bar and a private dining room and overflow area that can seat about 20 guests and a main floor designed for roughly 50.

A future second phase calls for an enclosed glass deck overlooking a fountain and water feature, giving guests an outdoor feel with air conditioning to avoid the Georgia heat. Gilliard, who comes from a foster care charity background, said she hopes the restaurant “brings comfort to the community” in the same way food was comforting to her growing up, she told Business Debut.

Ember Lotus will combine Brazilian steakhouse service with Asian fusion elements, including both an à la carte menu and an all-you-can-eat option. Guests can expect the full gaucho experience with grilled meats.

The restaurant will feature a churrasco-style hot and cold bar with items such as seaweed salad, squid salad, and other prepared dishes. Asian influences will show up in elements like bao buns, Asian seasonings, and cuts such as Wagyu beef, all designed to highlight the blend of Brazilian and Asian flavors.

Gilliard said the goal is to create “an affordable place, but upscale feel” so families can visit regularly without the price point of a traditional high-end steakhouse, she told Business Debut.

Gilliard said the team is targeting an opening before the end of January, subject to final inspections and build-out timing. The exact opening date is to be announced.

Ember Lotus plans to serve early lunch and dinner, opening around 11 a.m. and aiming to stay open until about 11 p.m. or slightly later. Final hours will be set based on community demand and feedback and are to be announced.

The Ember Lotus website is currently being built, with details to be announced. For updates and to share feedback or recommendations, follow and message Ember Lotus on Facebook: Follow on Facebook.

Owner Whitney Lam Gilliard is also a foodie who reviews local Savannah-area restaurants on her channel Hungry Panda and Hello Ms Whitney.

POOLER, Ga. (WTOC) - Shoppers are snagging good deals and checking items off their Christmas list this Black Friday.

WTOC spoke with people waiting in line Friday morning at the Tanger Outlets in Pooler to see how they spent their money on the biggest shopping day of the year.

Shoppers stood in line and braved the cold for it all — from reduced prices on items like limited edition sneakers to free gift cards for stores such as Palmetto Moon.

“I’m standing in line for the Nike Jordan 4 Nigel Sylvester Brick for Bricks,” said Nikolas Hammer.

Jessica Howell said, “the last couple years we’ve missed [getting a gift card] by a few people, so my sister was very adamant that we get up earlier this year to make it. And we did.”

Some people even stayed up all night just to get what they wanted for 20%, 40% and even 50% off.

“We didn’t go to sleep,” said Victor Perez.

Trey Aiello said, “We been out since 2 a.m.”

Rachel Tyre and Heather Edenfield said they are Black Friday shopping pros, and the rolling carts they brought with them to carry their bags are proof.

“Having to carry everything around, it gets heavy. This is just more convenient,” said Edenfield.

The two women have made it a tradition to spend the day after Thanksgiving catching the best deals in the best way — together.

Tyre said, “This is our first year in about three years actually getting to come back and go. So, it’s just fun. It’s just a day for us to hang out and do what we want to do and not have to worry about anything else.”

While some people are Black Friday experts, others are brand-new to the experience.

Jessica Howell said this is her daughter’s first year participating, and she hopes it won’t be her last.

“She’s surprised us, and she’s kept up pretty well so far, and she hasn’t complained once yet,” said Howell.

Almost 187 million people in the U.S. are expected to shop Black Friday weekend.

If trends continue, shoppers will be hitting stores at places like Tanger nearly as much as they buy items online.