Consumer Stories

A taste of Europe in the CSRA

In the past few years so many excellent restaurants have opened in Aiken that it becomes difficult to distinguish oneself with a name. When Lou and Stephanie Giusto (photo above) opened their oasis of flavors at the historic corner of Park Avenue and Laurens Street in Aiken two years ago, their application for an alcohol license was not approved for whiskey. That was fine. The Giustos are wine people anyway, so they named their rather intimate culinary retreat “Solo Vino” which in Italian means “Only Wine.” It’s a sophisticated sounding

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Darin Myers

Coach Darin: Make your business life easier!

Editor’s Note: Augusta Business Daily would not make deadline without “shortcuts” like Google Drive or Dropbox. When I ran Buzz on Biz, we literally ran all communications on stories, photos, and updates via email or text!  Things are simpler now. Here are (3) excellent tips from Darin Myers, my coach at TAB CSRA! Ironically, technology enables us to get our work done anywhere and become more productive, but also takes us down many time-wasting activities and paths. When we are on our devices, it is easy to get sidetracked and

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Consumer Stories

Riverwood Shopping centers are sold-out!

Marcella’s Cigars is out and Postal Annex (see above left) is in. The old adage seems to be “you snooze, you lose” is fitting with the rate of speed in which vacancies are being turned into new tenants at either the Riverwood Plantation Shopping Center, owned by Echo Realty/leased by Jordan Trotter Commercial Real Estate (the part connected to Publix). “We have Swank going into the former Madison’s Closet space and Vampire Penguin (ice cream/dessert shop) which is going into the (former White House) dry cleaner space,” said DJ Snead,

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B2B Stories

Local company celebrates 50th Anniversary by demolishing buildings

When Thompson Building Wrecking Company Inc. was founded in Augusta, John F. Kennedy was president of the United States. Located at 631 11th St., the family-owned business offers a variety of services for both residential and commercial customers, including demolition, asbestos testing and removal, and roll-off container rentals. “We have a recycling yard also,” which is located in Beech Island, says Susan Juker, Thompson’s roll-off/office manager. That facility recycles concrete and asphalt. The company’s roll-off containers are available for short-term and long-term use at residential and commercial construction sites. Their

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Consumer Stories

Local gym climbs to the top by offering unique workouts

Chris Watson turned his passion for climbing into a job he loves. Companies are even getting involved with team building exercises. Watson serves as general manager of Active Climbing Augusta located at 631 South Old Belair Road in Grovetown (not far from Belair Road Food Lion). He visited the 18,000-square-foot rock climbing gym the first day it opened in 2016 and fell in love with the sport. Watson began working for Active Climbing that same year. Climbing is “for people of all ages and skill levels”, he says. Despite one’s

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Shawna Woodward

Real Talk Real Estate: Home inspection vs. appraisal

When you are in the position to buy a home, make sure you have a home inspection. A common misconception that I hear from buyers regularly is that they are planning to rely on the appraisal inspection. Buyers who are getting a VA loan seem to be the largest population of buyers who believe the VA is inspecting their home. It is very important that as a buyer, you know the difference between a home inspection and an appraisal. An appraisal is almost always a requirement if you are getting

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B2B Stories

Pandemic derails start-up restaurant in Evans

Shemp and Petey’s restaurant on Washington Road opened in the summer and didn’t make it to fall—closing on August 28th. The restaurant offered up unique sandwiches and homemade pasta dishes with a local flair. The restaurant took over for a pair of eateries that closed in the same spot such as The Garlic Clove and J.T Yesterday’s. “Sorry everyone, we tried to stay open, but we got hit pretty hard starting off and were not able to overcome it,” wrote one of the co-owners announcing the close on their Facebook

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Consumer Stories

Local bridal boutique opening before wedding season

Location. Location. Location. Co-owners Jessica Baskette and Jennifer Grubbs of Lace and Veil Bridal Boutique carefully picked the storefront to open this November. It’s in the Petersburg Shoppes at 500 Furys Ferry Road, just a few doors from “Final Cut” (former site of Bi-Lo). “We are in love with our location for a number of reasons. We are nestled in the heart of Columbia County and surrounded by other great, small business owners. Also, our brides will find it easy to locate our boutique,” said Ms. Grubbs. Jordan Trotter Commercial

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Consumer Stories

Real Talk Real Estate: Home inspection vs. appraisal

When you are in the position to buy a home, make sure you have a home inspection. A common misconception that I hear from buyers regularly is that they are planning to rely on the appraisal inspection. Buyers who are getting a VA loan seem to be the largest population of buyers who believe the VA is inspecting their home. It is very important that as a buyer, you know the difference between a home inspection and an appraisal. An appraisal is almost always a requirement if you are getting

Read More »
B2B Stories

Dave & Buster’s breaks ground on new Augusta location

Many local residents have wondered if Dave & Buster’s was coming to Augusta. ABD has learned the company has broken ground in the Village at Riverwatch, which also contains Cabela’s, Costco Wholesale, and Riverwatch Cinemas. A representative from Jordan Trotter Commercial Real Estate, which sold the property, has confirmed Dave & Buster’s is currently clearing their land to build a new indoor entertainment complex, sports bar, and restaurant adjacent to Top Golf. (see photo above by Melissa Gordon) She doesn’t have a specific timeline for construction and opening of the

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