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B2B Stories

Simon Says: Ups and downs continue in most recent jobs report shows healthcare lagging

As I reported last week, the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area had a strong jobs report for November with employment increasing by 1,300 jobs. Heading into the holiday season, it was no surprise to see that half the jobs were in the leisure and hospitality industry. Retail establishments also increased employment by 100 to a record high of 30,360. That equates to an additional 3,600 jobs from pre-pandemic levels. Professional and business services increased employment by 600 jobs, to a total of 34,250 in that sector. That is a post-pandemic peak,

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Economics Professor January 17, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Local businesses team up to raise funds for injured boy

When Michelle Finn saw photos of 11-year-old Justin Gilstrap’s horrific injuries the Columbia County boy suffered after being attacked by pit bulls, the Evans business owner knew she had to help his family. Finn and her husband, Dan, own Sol Himalayan Salt Cave & Spa located at 7013 Town Center Blvd., Suite 201, which will host a fundraiser for Justin and his family tomorrow, beginning at 10 a.m. Finn said Sol will donate 100 percent of the proceeds it receives for its services throughout the day. When she shared the

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Josh Heath January 17, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Local cosmetologist offers one-on-one skin and nail care

As far as she knows, Lisa Leanne offers the CSRA’s only laydown pedicure and gives her clients a unique experience they can’t find at other nail salons. Leanne, a licensed master cosmetologist, has owned Esthetics with Love Salon and Spa located at 930 Stevens Creek Road, Suite 4 in Augusta for a little over a year. Besides pedicures, she also offers other services, including manicures and facials. Leanne has even created her own scrub called Don’t Be Salty and a body butter called Butter Me Up. “I’ve always loved the

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Josh Heath January 16, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

The latest rage in photobooths comes to North Augusta

Before cell phones and selfies, there were photo booths. Now, the next generation of both is trending across the country and it’s for hire in the CSRA. The Electric Selfie 360 spins. It has lights and video. They are the product of technology, innovation, and pop culture. 360 Photo Booths capture 360-degree photos on a rotating platform and offer an eclectic experience to guests of all ages. Apparently, all those bells and whistles can turn business executives into teenagers “We were part of a North Augusta Chamber mixer in November

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Mitzi Oxford January 16, 2023 No Comments
B2B Stories

CSRA Auto Group to buy another dealership

The Gerald Jones Auto Group drives a hard bargain when it comes to fellow car dealers. For the third time in the last seven years, owner Andy Jones is going on a shopping spree for dealerships. ABD has learned a deal is being finalized for the Auto Group to close on the purchase of another dealership in the next 30-45 days. In early 2016, the Gerald Jones Auto Group Ford purchased Bobby Jones Ford Lincoln from the heirs of former owner, Frank Lawrence. It continues to operate on Wrightsboro Road

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Photos and Story by Neil Gordon January 16, 2023 No Comments
Office Support

Free Access: Small business secrets to success

As ABD has reported, thousands of new startup businesses will enter the market in the next year. Some will succeed and some won’t. Neil Gordon discussed the secrets to success with Amy Richardson.

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Neil Gordon with Amy Richardson January 16, 2023 No Comments
B2B Podcasting

Free Access: Champion Dawg knows football and pizza?

You know they can run up the score for back-to-back Nattys and some are cashing in on the title. Plus, will a new Labor Commissioner spell good news for our labor market? Here’s the latest buzz from around the state.

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Mike Petchenik January 16, 2023 No Comments
Digital Marketing

Free Access: New year, new leads with Google AdWords

We just took on a project for a local business who is interested in generating more leads through Google AdWords. Their goal is to create more leads to share their services with all companies, but specifically those in the medical and government fields. How to accomplish that goal? 1. Create a Google Ads account and sign in. Get the lay of the land on where features are located and how to access them. We will talk through this in the next article. 2. Complete your keyword research. Finding the right

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Richard Brashear January 16, 2023 No Comments
Mergers/Acquisitions

Evans Vietnamese restaurant merges with similar Augusta eatery

A long-time Evans Vietnamese restaurant has closed its doors permanently and relocated to a similar restaurant in Augusta. Pho Bac located at 4300 Towne Centre Drive off Washington Road in Evans has moved to Pho Augusta Grill & Bar located at 4045 Jimmie Dyess Parkway, according to one of its employees. “We’ve been open for about two and half years, but we just merged together,” the employee said. She said she wasn’t sure why the owners of Pho Bac decided to merge the two eateries. Pho Augusta serves a variety

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Josh Heath January 15, 2023 No Comments
Closings

Local department store to close this weekend

ABD has learned that the last day Bealls Outlet located near Walmart at 270 Bobby Jones Expressway, Suite 108 will be open is Saturday, Jan. 21. We have contacted both the store and the company to find out why that location is closing, but their representatives said they don’t know the reason for the closure. Founded in Brandenton, Fla. in 1915, the company sells a variety of items, including clothing and shoes for men, women, and children, as well as purses, beauty supplies, and items for the home. Bealls Outlet

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Josh Heath January 15, 2023 No Comments
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