B2B Stories

Skyrocketing fuel costs hurt local businesses

When Les Perry, General Manager of Riverside Refreshments of Augusta, takes a look at his gas prices from January 2022 compared to January 2021, he sees a staggering figure – a 65 percent increase. With more than 100 trucks on the road daily, the vending supply and beverage distributor is concerned about how much gas prices have increased and how much higher they may go as a result of the conflict in Ukraine. “There’s no question it’s affecting us,” Perry said. “All of our suppliers are facing the exact same

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B2B Stories

Mondays with Rick: Russia-Ukraine conflict will impact the CSRA through fuel costs, hacking

  Dr. Rick Franza, is the Dean of the Hull College of Business who discusses a different, timely business topic each Monday in this column. This week, we’re looking at how war between Russia and Ukraine could impact CSRA businesses. The interview has been edited for clarity and impact. ABD: What kind of impact will a war on the other side of the globe have on local businesses? Rick: The most immediate impact is in oil prices. The good news for us is that at 80 degrees, we won’t have

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Consumer Stories

Pandemic survival story

Faithful customers kept Thai Kitchen alive during pandemic The pandemic was hard on many local businesses and sadly, some didn’t survive. But others made it through that unsettled period and are still alive. Over the next several weeks, we’ll look at their stories and what made the difference for them. Despite its small footprint, a solid customer-base helped Thai Kitchen in Evans survive two years of pandemic shut downs and restrictions that closed some bigger restaurants. “We have to thank our customers,” Marasri Ortiz said. “They’re the reason we’re still

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B2B Stories

City’s street light plan will add to business tax burden

Things could get brighter in Augusta, but with the result of increased costs for area businesses. The city plans to expand street lights on various streets and neighborhoods. It will use $1.5 million of the $6 million Rescue Act Funds it received to cover the shortfall of the project. But that won’t cover the ongoing expense of keeping those lights glowing. To cover the increase in the city’s power bill, the city proposed hiking the business tax rate to $175, a 63.5 percent raise of $68. Residential rates would rise

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Consumer Stories

A new business with sweet treats is coming to Washington Road

If you’re watching your calories, this might not be good news for you – a new frozen custard business is coming to Washington Road next to Krystal. Construction is underway on a new location of Whit’s Frozen Custard, a national chain with locations in 10 states, including Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and Ohio. RW Allen Construction is building the new restaurant. “It’s a five to six-month project,” said Connie Melear, chief financial officer for RW Allen. “You should see it come out of the ground very soon.” Founded in Ohio

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B2B Stories

University Hospital set to become Piedmont Healthcare

In less than a week, University Hospital will become Piedmont Healthcare and the literal signs of that were obvious this week. Sign crews were busy placing the finishing touches on the large Piedmont logo atop the roof at the front of the hospital on Thursday and changing the signage at the hospital entrance as well. Banners with the University Hospital name covered up those new signs for the time being. University starts the transition to Piedmont Healthcare on Tuesday. Piedmont announced a $1 billion partnership with University last May. It

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Consumer Stories

Class project turns into full-fledged business for local kayaking entrepreneur

Cole Watkins turned a class project into a successful kayaking business. Watkins, owner of Cole Watkins Tours, was required to create a business from the ground up for an entrepreneurship class he took at Augusta University in 2011. The class voted on the best businesses, and his business made it to the top five. Watkins received marketing and financing kits, so he decided to take a chance and officially launched the business on May 26, 2011. “I was really strapped for cash, and I only had three kayaks at the

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Consumer Stories

Faith Friday: Make-up becomes ministry for local woman who realized childhood dream

Lots of little girls are enamored by the paint their mothers put on their faces to enhance their natural beauty. A 7-year-old Curtoria Robertson knew she had to wait another nine years before she could play in palates of make-up, though. Mom’s orders. As a teenager, Robertson would visualize random women’s faces as her personal canvas to create beautiful work. While she didn’t know exactly how to channel this seemingly innate gift, she knew she had to do something. That something would be instrumental in making women feel good about

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Consumer Stories

Real Talk Real Estate: The draw of living the slow life

It has been an upward trend in our communities to sell your home and move out to a piece of property with room and privacy. However, with the draw to move from city life to the slow life steadily increasing, the chances of finding good land to build on is decreasing. Which is why I want to point you into the direction of GreenHead Homes. They have three more lots available in their development located in Harlem. One desirable feature, among others, is that the properties have no HOA! These

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