Family Owned Electronics Franchise Brings Needed Service To Black Community

SOUTH FULTON, GA — When Alecia and Alfred Gardner considered their future and the futures of their children, they saw entrepreneurship as a key to setting up the path forward.

The Roswell couple needed to start a business that was sustainable and essential as the global pandemic ravaged long-standing small businesses and shuttered many startups before they could even get off the ground. But they also wanted to build something that would contribute to a community that needed the business.

“I wanted my next opportunity to really be where I can have an impact in the community,” he said.

Friday, National Battery Day, the Gardners celebrated one month in business and the official grand opening of their Batteries Plus franchise in South Fulton in a new Publix shopping center at the busy corner of Campbellton Road and Camp Creek Parkway.

In the new city just south of Atlanta with a predominantly Black middle-class population, the Gardners identified a need.

“There’s the socioeconomics here to support more businesses like ours,” Alecia Gardner said. “We saw that there was something missing here.”

Alfred Gardner said the services and products they provide will always be in need, despite fluctuations to the economy.

“The pandemic did influence our decision in terms of deciding to go with a Batteries Plus franchise,” he said. “If you want to be comfortable with today's technology, you need stuff powered, you need things lit, you need things fixed. Battery Plus provides that with power, we light it, and we fix your personal technical devices.”

Throughout the pandemic, Batteries Plus locations across the country remained open to help individuals, communities, businesses and organizations keep their devices and electronic equipment such as laptops, hearing aids, medical devices, monitors, carts on wheels, and more operational. The Gardners can make on-site assessments at each location and will provide services for lighting and fixtures, repair damaged items and more.

Alecia Gardner is the resident IT expert, parlaying her skills working for the Fulton County School District to provide part-time technical support for the family business.

Alfred Gardner is part of the so-called “great resignation,” having left a nearly three-decade-long career in corporate human resources to start this business.

“I just wanted something different for my life,” he said. “Now was just the right time.”

And the chance to have something to pass on to their two teenage daughters makes owning the franchise an extra added incentive to succeed.

“Our girls are excited to get come here and work,” Alecia said. “This will be their part-time jobs now, and someday it will be their business.”

To find out more information about the new South Fulton location, please visit www.batteriesplus.com/store-locator/ga/atlanta/batteries-plus-534 or call them at 404-565-2941.