COBB COUNTY, Ga. — The Motion Picture Association says the movie "Selma" was a big win for the Georgia economy, pumping more than $10 million into the state during its filming.
But Channel 2's Ross Cavitt spoke to business owners in the Marietta Square, where some say they're still trying to recover from the experience.
If you look closely at the scenes in "Selma's" trailer, you might see snippets of the Marietta Square, but some of the businesses in the filming zone still have a sour taste about the experience.
"I love the movies, but coming here, I just don't like how we were treated," said the owner of a tattoo shop.
Merchants complained they weren't compensated for lost business the days "Selma" filmed in Marietta.
They estimated their losses in the thousands. The Lucky Draw Tattoo said they lost about $6,000 -- not a crippling business hit, but enough for some financial pain.
The Motion Picture Association says Georgia won big, noting that "Selma's" 95 days of filming at various locations in Georgia provided work for 1,900 people and pumped $10.3 million into the state's economy.
But many merchants in Marietta said the crews weren't spending money locally, and the spectators weren't spending much time in the areas either.
"I don't think those people will stop in and eat. I think they just want a hello or something," restaurant owner Jim Tidwell said.
The business owners hope the experience will change things the next time a movie producer comes location scouting, which has already happened since "Selma."
"I just treat them the same. I treat them nicely when they come, and hopefully, they'll do the same," the tattoo shop owner said.
WSBTV
