“Conspirator” Filming at Customs House: How’s it Affecting Business?

There’s an added draw to downtown Savannah.  If you take a walk along Bay Street or Bull, who knows who you might run into.  It could be James McAvoy, Robin Wright or maybe even Robert Redford himself.

The customs house is the latest backdrop for the filming of “The Conspirator”. 

Crowds gather along the street and on corners.  They take pictures and watching “The Conspirator” actors and crew in action.

When you see all of the signs closing Bull Street and movie equipment outside of the Customs House on Bay and Bull Streets, it may look like people can’t get anywhere.

Inside the Savannah Clothing Company, workers are still ringing customers up.

“This time of year, we tend to see a little bit of a slowdown, typically after summer time, the tourism sort of slows down here in the area,“ explains Julie LetourneauGonzalez, administrative assistant at the Savannah Clothing Company.

For tourists who are still coming to the city;

“You also have to keep in mind that tourists walk a lot.  There’s a lot of walking, there’s a lot of traffic, people walking around.  Usually the driving’s not an issue, it’s the parking, but I haven’t heard any complaints about either,” adds LetourneauGonzalez.

Local businesses don’t see the streets being closed and crowds gathering to watch the movie being filmed as a bad thing.  In fact they’re saying it could be good.  They’re hoping that the crowds move inside and start spending money.

“Someone from the crew came in earlier today inquiring about a dress in the window to buy for somebody so that’s always a good thing too,“ says LetourneauGonzalez

Filming will continue at the Customs House tomorrow and then again on Monday and Tuesday of next week.  That means Bull Street will be closed to through traffic between Bay and Bryan Streets.

If you don’t want to be held up by the filming, take an alternate route.
 
If you’re in the area and happen to snap a picture of the production or of one of the stars, feel free to email the picture to us at or post it on our facebook page.