In a breath of fresh air for the Augusta cityscape, buildings that have been empty are taking on new meaning for nonprofits and for-profit businesses. Mike Petchenik has the lineup in today’s Biz Bits.
Publishers Note: It was in the early 1990’s that I first met Dr. Joseph Still and his daughter, Susan in Augusta. I was a reporter at News 12 and I especially remember Susan being honored at Augusta’s new Amphitheater at the Riverwalk and addressing school children on the importance of dreaming. She was dressed in her astronaut suit, after having flown on the Space Shuttle. She was humble, like her Daddy. Last Thursday night, Susan delivered another keynote address, this time, honoring the life and legacy of her iconic father.
Running a business is tough. Running a restaurant is tougher. Running one, while facing serious personal issues makes it almost impossible to succeed. Mike Petchenik has the story of a CSRA business owner who tried to beat the odds.
Two years ago, Eric Emedoh moved to North Augusta from the Bronx, where bodegas line every street corner. If everything goes as planned, there will be many of the small restaurants across the CSRA as well. Bodega means a storehouse for wine. In New York, bodegas are like small convenience stores selling products including milk, eggs, and meats. Le Bodega at 1696 Knox Avenue in North Augusta doesn’t have wine and the ingredients they offer are cooked up in some delicious handheld sandwiches. Perfect for a busy businessperson to stop
Props to Dr. Jermaine Whirl, President of Augusta Technical College, on his recognition as a business Titan in the state of Georgia. He is the only business leader in Augusta to receive the honor. Mike Petchenik has the “why” in today’s Biz Bits.
The drive-thru coffee concept with two Augusta locations started their birthday celebration on Valentine’s Day, because who doesn’t love coffee? Yet another reason to celebrate, 7 Brew is quickly approaching its 200th location, doubling its presence nationwide since June 2023. “The explosive growth we’ve seen since our founding shows that cultivating kindness and offering a stellar product can bring a brand to the next level,” said CeCe LaBorde, president of 7 Brew corporate locations. “We wanted to take this birthday to celebrate our customers who have embraced 7 Brew wholeheartedly.” You can
A program created by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) is coming to Augusta, one of just nine locations selected. The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce will partner with Augusta Technical College to select a cohort of adult learners of color who are underemployed or unemployed. The program will train them in an industry credential or degree. Details of the program are being worked out, but Sue Parr, President of the Augusta Metro Chamber, told ABD the first cohort will run for 18 months. “You know, it’s scary
The guest speaker at the recent Augusta Chamber event is all for it. Andy Kaufmann is a hockey team owner and promoter. He has seen what the sport has brought to various southeast cities. Mike Petchenik scores with today’s Biz Bits.
Representatives of the Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) led a special edition of the Metro Augusta Chamber of Commerce’s Business Builder series with a focus on getting government contracts. The chamber offers the series to provide information on issues that are key to area businesses. The sessions are normally held on Thursdays, and Rhodes Porter Business Development Logistics Management sponsored the special edition. “In this series, we are sponsoring, thanks to Augusta Metro Chamber, we will have a common theme around resources and industries that we actually use within
Letter to the Editor: The following was written by James K. Stiff, President, Goodwill of Middle Georgia & the CSRA, Helms College. Thank you for the recent coverage in the Augusta Business Daily on the revitalization of vacant buildings in Augusta, notably the transformation of a former drugstore into a new Goodwill retail training store on Walton Way. We appreciate your attention to the economic developments in our community and are thankful for the great quote from Mayor Johnson regarding the new human and economic energy Goodwill brings to the CSRA.
