Two things Augustans love, golf and barbecue. Patrons of the latter have a new restaurant to visit.
Under blue skies with a ceremony including a flag raising by American Legion Post 0705, Jim ‘N Nick’s Community Bar-B-Q opened Wednesday at the intersection of Robert C. Daniels Parkway and Wheeler Road.
“The reception we’ve seen in Augusta has been nothing short of like, over the top. I’m not kidding you,” said Brian Lyman, President of Jim ‘N Nick’s. “But even starting with the permitting process all the way down. The city really knows how to be pro-business and make sure we had what we needed to be able to open the business.”
The restaurant was built on the site of the Macaroni Grill which was destroyed by fire in early 2016. Augusta Mayor, Garnett Johnson said getting a new business open on the site is important.
“Not only for our community, but for this section of Augusta that’s so vital to our economic engine, to sales tax dollars, the many shopping options that Augusta has,” he said. “Having it here is a great testament to the resilience of our economy. And we’re just proud of the investment that they’re making.”
The company is making an investment in the community, as well. The business created 81 new jobs. It also presented a $2,500 check to a local non-profit organization.
“It matters because it builds more resources for us. We are a donation-based organization. We are a nonprofit,” said Hallie Dickens of the Augusta Dream Center (https://www.augustadreamcenter.org/). “As much as we rely on individuals from the community that donate to us, these businesses are the ones that can make a real impact. They’re big donations, these big corporations that care about people. They’re very important to us.”
The center located on Peach Orchard Road, provides resources for Augusta’s homeless community and helps the underserved community with a food pantry, clothing, and an adult literacy program.
“Community is truly in their name,” observed James Allen, Director of Member Engagement for the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce. “We had a gentleman come down to our office about four months ago and said, ‘The first thing we do is we go down to the Chamber of Commerce, we get involved in the community. And we want to make sure that we are steadily involved in getting ready to be able to help the community.’”
Jim ‘N Nick’s has more than 45 restaurants spread across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The Augusta location is the 16th franchise in Georgia.
Lyman knows they face some stiff competition from legacy barbecue restaurants in metro Augusta, but is confident diners will love what they offer.
“I pay mad respect to anybody who’s doing the craft because it’s not an easy thing. It’s a labor of love,” he said. “But we really try to represent the best of barbecue. We start with Alabama barbecue but at the same time, we bring in beef brisket from Texas. We’ve got some beautiful turkey, we’ve got chicken and baby back ribs. All of our trimmings, mac and cheese, collard greens, they are old school, I mean throwback, like our moms used to make, so they’re made with a lot of pride, a lot of passion.”
Jim ‘N Nick’s is at 275 Robert C. Daniel Parkway. It is open Sunday through Thursday, from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The restaurant offers dine-in, takeout, and drive-thru service. More information and the menu is at www.jimnnicks.com.
