Consumer Stories

New Starbucks location to open on Walton Way

A coffee giant will open another store between Augusta University’s Summerville Campus and Augusta’s medical district, according to a news release from Jordan Trotter Commercial Real Estate. Starbucks, which already has 16 locations throughout the CSRA, plans to build a new one at the corner of Walton Way and Chafee Avenue (see photo above story). Other locations include Wrightsboro Road in Augusta, William Few Parkway in Evans, and Knox Avenue in North Augusta. Starbucks competes with small local shops, such as Buona Caffe Artisan Roasted Coffee in Augusta, Rooted Coffeehouse

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B2B Stories

Changemaker Podcast: Online entrepreneurial dreams

An Augusta military transplant is making a career out of her on-line, entrepreneurial pursuits—despite being a very shy person. Former business coach and Mayor Deke Copenhaver sits down with Heather Parady.

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Consumer Stories

Local company wants to save your roof

A local home improvement company wants to help you avoid the cost of a roof replacement. Roof Savers Georgia LLC, which is owned by Russell Beckum, Allen Childs, and Larry Hogue, officially opened for business on Nov. 13, 2021. Roof Savers specializes in rejuvenating residential and commercial roofs (see photo above story) by applying a plant-based oil created by a company called Greener Shingles. The oil is designed to improve an older roof’s condition by restoring its flexibility and waterproofing protection. Beckum says it also greatly enhances its appearance and

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B2B Stories

The Little Things

Is it just me, or… The Little Things Note: The following is what happens when a lifetime of a certain kind of work causes you to notice things that fail to grab the attention of almost everyone else. Every day we’re surrounded by marketing phenomena we ignore, fail to question or don’t believe applies to us. Let’s dive into a couple of them. Telegram-speak on supermarket self-checkout pinpads Since we’ve raised at least two generations since the age of the telegram, I should quickly explain that to send one was

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Top Story

$18.4 million sale of CSRA apartment complex

A Virginia-based real estate firm has purchased a 112-unit apartment complex in Columbia County for $18.4 million. Cohen Investment Group bought the Highland Hills Apartments (see photo above story), located at 601 Outlook Drive near Wrightsboro Road in Grovetown, from the New York-based Valor Residential Group. Capstone Apartment Partners closed the sale. “We are thrilled to have closed another transaction in the Augusta market to kick off 2022,” says Sean Henry, Capstone’s managing director of its Atlanta office. “Highland Hills presents a phenomenal opportunity for Cohen Investment Group and their

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B2B Stories

Local home improvement company sold after half century

The focus of our “Mondays with Rick” column this week is the pros and cons of selling your company to a private equity firm. In today’s business minute, ABD Publisher Neil Gordon says it almost happened with Southern Industries.

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B2B Stories

Mondays with Rick: Selling your business

Editor’s Note:   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 the sale of CSRA businesses. The interview has been edited for clarity and impact. ABD: Rick, in the last few years and months a number of high-profile CSRA companies have sold their businesses. TaxSlayer, Club Car, Rec-Teq and most recently, Southern Industries (Southern Siding). What are the owners thinking about? Rick: It really comes down to control, money

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B2B Stories

Young professionals in CSRA can apply for top 10 recognition

Do you know a young, rising star within an organization? Each year, the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Augusta Magazine honor a select group of successful young professionals in the CSRA. Since 2009, the Chamber and magazine have compiled their list of Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch. These professionals, who are all between the ages of 25 and 35, represent a variety of professions and include attorneys, bankers, educators, and business owners. Applications for the 2022 Top 10 in 10 are now being accepted. The selection

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Consumer Stories

Nationally known chef opens new Aiken restaurant

What is a neon fig? Not what you think. It’s a new restaurant opening soon in Aiken. One of the owners was raised in Aiken, Cecelia Roust. The other, Marvin Sterling, is a chef and her boyfriend with some serious kitchen credentials. Cecelia managed restaurants in Savannah. Georgia. Marvin has been featured on Burger, Brews, and Que on the Food Network and Food Paradise for the Travel Channel. They have both opened several restaurants for various companies, but the Neon Fig is the first they’ve owned together. When COVID hit

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