Entrepreneurs

For the past five years, people have flocked to Evans on Ice for family entertainment, but its owners, Mike and Christine Boerner have faced their share of obstacles in running the seasonal business. The Boerners opened the ice-skating rink, which was originally located in the Augusta Common, in 2017. At that time, it was called Augusta on Ice. After the first year, city officials told them they would have to pay a much larger amount to continue operating in that location, so the couple moved the skating attraction to Evans

When it comes to snack foods, boiled peanuts have long been a Southern favorite. But Jacob Lyons recently launched a business that adds unique flavors to the traditional salty snack. Lyons, owner of The Peanut Palace, a local home-based business, creates and sells boiled peanuts in a variety of flavors, such as original, Cajun, salt ‘N’ vinegar, and buttery garlic, as well as peanut brittle. So far, salt ‘N’ vinegar has been the most popular flavor. He decided to start The Peanut Palace in September after some friends in his

If you’re looking for unique handmade items to give family and friends as Christmas gifts, you can probably find exactly what you’re looking for in downtown Augusta. The sixth annual 5th Street Marina Holiday Market is being held every Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. until Dec. 18. It opened Oct. 30. The market’s vendors sell a variety of items, including soaps, candles, clothing, and crafts, as well as health and beauty products, according to marina’s owner, Beth Christian. There’s also a food truck that sells a variety of menu

While Covid destroyed many businesses, that certainly wasn’t the case for Jim Steed’s seasonal business in Columbia County. Steed owns Steed’s Dairy, 4634 Wrightsboro Road, Grovetown, which he said offers something for everyone, including a five-acre corn maze, petting zoo, pumpkin patch, zip lines, and hayrides. He opened the business in 2010. “We saw a lot of people who wanted to get out of the house,” he said. Every year, the corn maze features a different logo, such as this year’s, which commemorates the Atlanta Braves and Georgia Bulldogs winning

The timing may not have been ideal for Brooke Thomas to open a boutique in downtown Aiken. She signed the lease on her Laurens Street shop in March 2020, right before the pandemic shut everything down, but she used the downtime to complete renovations. A few months later, when shoppers began to venture out, Ginger Bee Boutique was ready. Ever since, there has been a hive of activity at her shop. Even at the age of 24, Thomas was ready for that as well. She has a passion for fashion

Onnie Sanford has already expanded her business, but the entrepreneur wants to help other small businesses grow by providing them more exposure to potential customers. Sanford, the owner of Paleo Num Yums and OPP Kitchen, 359 Furys Ferry Road, Martinez, will host a Holiday Market on Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at her store. So far, six vendors have signed up, and Sanford would like to find six more. She’s looking for “artists and artisans” that sell unique products people can use as Christmas gifts or

Unlike most businesses during the height of Covid, especially restaurants that struggled to keep their doors open, grocery stores, albeit by curbside pickup or delivery, flourished. Families were staying home and cooking, but that wears thin after prepping, cooking, and cleaning day in and day out for months on end. Enter the charcuterie board. Best friends, Ashley Elvis and Casey Young started their company, Board in Aiken, in the fall of 2019. In the beginning, they made charcuterie boards for family and friends. Their business grew quickly from there. A