B2B Stories

North Augusta balances beauty and business with projects

North Augusta citizens will have a chance to weigh in on a major revision of the city’s planning and development code. A public hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 11, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. Tommy Paradise, director of the Planning and Development department, said this revision has been a long time in the making. The work began in 2000. “We had a task force that helped develop this draft and we went chapter by chapter, page by page from the front

Read More »
B2B Podcasting

The wine wagon

I’ll drink to that. Our business reporter, Mike Petchenik is reporting today on a new business on wheels that is safe to take for a spin.

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Review: ‘Bottoms’ is Tops

Those of us who grew up watching the golden age of teen comedies, from Sixteen Candles to Weird Science, usually have one prevailing thought when revisiting them as grown-ups: How did we watch this and think it was okay? The era of John Hughes’ suburban-set hormone odysseys typically centered on one idea: dorky boys want to get with the bombshell cheerleaders and will stop at nothing to do so. Fast forward to the early 2000’s, when gross-out comedies took the hyperbolic sentiments of teen comedies to the extreme cringe value.

Read More »
B2B Stories

“Stakeholder Satisfaction: Tradeoffs are Inevitable”

One of the great things about returning to the classroom is that if what I teach to my students is timely and relevant, it should also be valuable to readers of this column. So, periodically, I will take you “inside my classroom” and share with you what I am discussing with my students. As I introduced my MBA students to strategic management, one of the important concepts we addressed was to be sure to consider the various stakeholders of your business when making strategic decisions and understanding that some of

Read More »
Staffing

Nurturing tomorrow’s leaders: A vital investment for local businesses Pt. 2

As the business landscape evolves, it becomes increasingly imperative for companies to identify and cultivate the next generation of leaders. The success of any organization hinges on its ability to recognize and nurture talented individuals who possess the vision, skills, and passion to navigate the complexities of tomorrow’s business world. In this pursuit, businesses are taking transformative steps to nurture the seeds of success within their organizations. Encouraging Networking and Relationship Building In the business community, networking is seen as a powerful tool for future leaders. By building and nurturing

Read More »
Closings

A final farewell to Steak and Shake in Columbia County

An online auction on Sept. 5 marked the final farewell to a popular restaurant on Belair Frontage Road. Vanish Auctions, a Florida-based company that specializes in online auctions, handled the sale of equipment and furniture from Steak and Shake. The auction included tables and chairs, artwork, and kitchen equipment. A viewing period was held prior to the start of the noon auction. Several people were there when the doors opened at 9 a.m. “I am looking for some things actually to build out our church kitchen and to get them

Read More »
B2B Podcasting

When the “stakes” are high…

Over 100 local employees of a nationwide restaurant chain have been let go. Mike Petchenik shares the latest in this edition of Biz Bits.

Read More »
B2B Stories

Is there “Fuse”-ion between the restaurant and a food truck?

ABD reported recently that Fuse in Aiken was closing. When Chef Chris Najmola posted on Facebook that the restaurant couldn’t go on, hundreds of loyal customers and even restaurant competitors weighed in with reactions of support. Then, two days later came this Facebook post from Fuse Mobile food truck owners: “We, Kevin and Tylené Matson, own Fuse Mobile. We will still continue business as usual. Finally, thank you all for your support, and thank you, @fuseaiken, for giving us our roots.” As it turns out, there is no connection between the

Read More »
B2B Podcasting

Some help for the strapped CSRA medical profession?

ABD has consistently reported about the shortages in the medical profession. A new public/private partnership could be the answer for the CSRA’s future in providing healthcare. Mike Petchenik has more in today’s Biz Bits.

Read More »
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Fasten your seatbelts, it might be a bumpy ride

The Augusta Leading Economic Index (LEI) rose 0.4 percent in June, but remains 1.3 percent below its level of June 2022. I use a three-month rolling average to smooth out very volatile local data. For example, residential building permits in the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) have varied between 407 (August 2022) and 213 (December 2022) over the last year, even after seasonal adjustment, an almost 100% swing. In June, residential housing permits fell 10 percent from May. Residential building permits have been lower than the same month, one year earlier

Read More »