JACKSONVILLE, N.C.- Marines are the lifeblood of Onslow County. With thousands of service members returning to the east in recent weeks, small businesses may see a rise in profits.
More than 2000 Marines and sailors are back in the east after returning from deployments in the past few weeks. And that could mean big business for the local economy.
Mike Sibley of Street Sounds says the store has seen a 50% increase in profits in the past two weeks, mainly because of returning service members.
"Anything that they want, we're a one stop shop. So we have package deals, we also have special graces with our lender and our finance company that offers zero-down financing where they can just pay a payment a month.
The homecomings have boosted the bottom line at local barbershops as well.
Barber, Jerel Carney of Darryl's barbershop says he does anywhere from 100 to 150 haircuts in a week, but most of his business from the Marine Corps comes on the weekends.
Carney also says about 85% of his business come from service members and that some of his clients returning from deployment are bringing new customers with them to the shop.
Dry cleaning is one of the biggest services used by the military. Lynn Green of A-1 Cleaners says the marine corps makes up about 75% of their business, but they haven't seen a large increase in business since the recent homecomings.
"We've just seen a slight increase right now. I figure as soon as they get finished with their families, they'll start bringing their uniforms in then.
Businesses in the east may see sales increase even more this weekend. Marines with Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 are expected to return to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point on Saturday.
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