B2B Stories

Partridge Inn renovations combine original style with modern conveniences

The historic Partridge Inn originally opened in 1910, so naturally, it has undergone numerous renovations over the last 112 years. But after the 140-room Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel was renovated in 2015 and 2016, some guests complained it was beginning to look a little too modern, according to Holly White. White, who became the Partridge Inn’s General Manager in December, said the latest renovations, which have cost about $10 million so far, corrected that. To complete the project, the hotel, located at 2110 Walton Way, was closed from mid-September

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Employee Benefits

Free Access: Finding the best health care benefits for your business

Tom Mastny went from a Major League pitcher to helping local businesses with their health care benefits with The Pennant Group. In part 2 of his interview with Neil Gordon, Tom talks about the changes in the health care benefits industry and the importance of finding the right benefits for your company.

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Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Groucho’s Deli

Editor’s Note: Wes Hennings never met a meal he walked away from and is an opinionated eater! Each Thursday he shares the results of a business lunch he’s had with a colleague as a way to advise our business community on the good, bad, and tasty across the CSRA. He doesn’t let ABD or the restaurant know where he is going and his opinions are his own. He grades the restaurants he visits on a 1-5 scale with “5” being outstanding. We call this our “Real Business Lunch Review”. Food

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B2B Stories

Business owners, the public can weigh in on Project Pascalis today

Another piece of the puzzle for the Pascalis development project will come together today when businesses and the public can voice their opinions. Project Pascalis is slated to bring a hotel, parking garage, conference center, apartments, and retail space to downtown Aiken. Public input and fully approved plans are two stipulations required by the City’s Design Review Board before moving forward with the demolition of the dilapidated Hotel Aiken, as well as properties on Laurens Street to make room for the development. The seven parcels that make up Project Pascalis

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B2B Stories

Entrepreneur renovating the historic home for unique event space

If you’re looking for space with historical significance to host business meetings and other company events, James O’Neal’s got you covered. O’Neal, an Allstate Insurance agent with an office in Augusta, bought the historic Charles Hammond House, 908 West Martintown Road, North Augusta in June 2018. He plans to use the 4,200-square-foot, six-bedroom Greek Revival house, which was most likely built in the 1770s, for not only events but also Airbnb, Vrbo, and Masters housing. O’Neal has renovated several homes, which is why he decided to invest in this project.

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B2B Stories

Simon Says: Home ownership in CSRA varies from state to national levels

Buying a house is one of the largest purchases most people will make in their lifetime. In Georgia, 63 percent of all housing is owner-occupied; in Columbia County, it is 80 percent, and 53 percent in Richmond County. Evidence suggests that homeowners are more satisfied with their homes and neighborhoods and have more stable neighborhoods. It is therefore an interesting research question to understand the determinants of homeownership. Fortunately, Vanessa Wimberly, an undergraduate student in the Hull College of Business at Augusta University, has studied this question and presented her

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Consumer Stories

Commercial cleaning companies keep covid germs at bay

Covid-19 is like a houseguest who showed up and never left. For the last two years, commercial cleaning companies have played a key role in slowing the spread of the virus in local workplaces. But long before the pandemic, these companies focused more on health than aesthetics, according to Dalton Self, Vice President of Jani-King of Augusta, and four other cities, including Savannah and Macon. According to its website, Jani-King uses hospital-grade disinfectant sprays to kill a variety of germs, including those that cause covid infections. The company, which has

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B2B Stories

Matthews Motors acquires SC company, launches new truck body venture

Matthews Motors of Augusta has expanded its service reach with the recent acquisition of Padgett Truck Bodies of Graniteville, S.C. This acquisition also helps in the launching of Matthews Truck Bodies. “Matthews Truck Bodies fills a void in the Augusta area by allowing us to help both new and existing customers with their fleet needs,” said Aaron Matthews, CEO of Matthews Truck Bodies. “In addition to what we currently offer to our customers from the service and parts side of the truck bodies, we will add multiple well-known brands to

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Consumer Stories

Merchants Association to present funds to three local charities

Three local charities will be able to fulfill their missions a little bit better, thanks to donations from the Merchants Association of Columbia County. The Merchants Association will make check presentations to The Bridge Ministry of the CSRA and Hope Women’s Center at 6:30 p.m. on April 26, and Child Enrichment at 2:30 p.m. on April 30. The donations are made from the proceeds of two fairs, the Merchants Association hosts. Their Spring Fair 2022 takes place April 23-May 1. Child Enrichment creates, finds, and supports programs that directly improve

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Consumer Stories

Local chocolatier making life a little sweeter for Ukrainian refugees

Like the rest of us, Bebette Smith watches the heartbreaking news coverage of Ukrainian citizens forced to flee their country. The chocolatier wanted to find a way to help these refugees, particularly those fleeing to her native country of Belgium. Smith, the owner of La Bonbonniere Authentic Belgian Chocolates, 231 Furys Ferry Road, Suite 206B in Augusta, developed a sunflower chocolate box to honor the refugees. The sunflower is Ukraine’s national flower. “I just so happened to have a sunflower mold,” Smith said. For every box a customer buys, she

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