One of the CSRA’s largest employers have made a significant partnership. Mike Petchenik gives us the latest in today’s edition of Biz Bits.
ALDI, the low-cost supermarket chain based in Germany, has announced it has purchased Harvey’s and Winn Dixie stores from Jacksonville, Fl-based Southeastern Grocers. The companies made the announcement on August 16. There are approximately 400 Harvey’s and Winn Dixies, primarily in southeastern states. There is a Harvey’s on Gordon Highway in Augusta. There are no local stores listed on the Winn Dixie website. “Like ALDI, Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s Supermarket have long histories and many loyal customers in the Southeast and we look forward to serving them in the years to
Food trailers are becoming increasingly popular and are used to sell everything from coffee to lobster dogs, and many of those trailers were built at a small business in Thomson. Best Built Trailers located at 225 West Hill St. manufactures, sells, and services food trailers for businesses throughout the U.S., Canada, and even the Bahamas, according to owner, Lee Briggs. In the CSRA, those businesses include The Skinny Taco, Smokeshow Southern BBQ, and Diablo’s Southwest Grill. Best Built also sells kitchen appliances and provides service for all types of trailers.
Over the first six months of the year, ten Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) in Georgia saw improving labor market conditions and four declining conditions as measured by the Labor Market Index (LMI). By contrast, the best-performing labor markets were Dalton, Columbus, and Rome. The worst-performing metro area was Warner Robins. The Augusta MSA grew by 0.2 percent, slightly below the state average of 0.5 percent. In Augusta, employment fell slightly, and unemployment increased between December 2022 and June 2023. However, the labor force and average weekly earnings increased. Hours worked
One of the biggest challenges for any entrepreneur is funding. Congressman Rick Allen is in a position to help as he serves on the House Committee for Education and the Workforce. Mike Petchenik has the scoop in today’s Biz Bits.
On the edge of Aiken County, almost close enough to throw a rock to the Barnwell County line, Almost There Café opened for business last fall. Owner, Dawn Redmon and her cooks served up good ole Southern fare fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, cornbread, and a variety of other dishes that soon became favorites. The building at 245 White Pond Road in Williston had been a donut shop, a chicken joint, and a mercantile over the years. It wasn’t a big place, but locals seemed to love the food.
Dr. Rick Franza, Professor of Management at the Hull College of Business, discusses a different, timely business topic each Monday in this column. This week, he examines the characteristics of a good leader. The interview has been edited for clarity and impact. ABD: What is the difference between being a boss, or manager, and being a leader? Rick: A leader earns authority whereas a boss is ordained authority – but that doesn’t make someone a good leader. The difference between a manager and a leader is that you manage things
Editor’s note: I’ve interviewed several of the CSRA’s brightest business leaders over the past couple of years, including Darin Myers and Kurt Mueller. Both have stated the importance of learning and further, learning something new every day. At a time when we are facing the largest segment of an aging population, their advice is relevant. Ida Crawford Stewart, a South Carolina native who grew up in Clinton, SC., served as the Vice President for Estee Lauder Cosmetic Company, died in March, she was 100 years old. She was more than
AU. The university is a major player in the health of the economy in Augusta and across the state. Mike Petchenik explains in today’s Biz Bits.
When her daughter was two years old, Aubrey Hinkson came up with the idea to open a toy store that offers personalized service, and last summer, she made a major career change and opened that type of store to serve the CSRA. On Thursday, Hinkson, owner of Orange Otter Toy Store located at 336 Georgia Ave., Suite 105 in North Augusta, celebrated the business’s first anniversary with a ribbon cutting by the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce. “We made it a year, and it’s been so much fun,” she said.
