B2B Stories

B2B Stories

Former E-Z GO engineer promoted to top spot at successful CPA firm

There’s a lot of change happening at the CSRA’s largest, local CPA firm. It might ruffle an average leader. In 2022, SME CPA’s will celebrate its’ 70th anniversary. Wouldn’t there be pressure to show value and celebrate with 4,000 faithful clients? Not the case. SME’s new managing director will delegate to his capable marketing director, and his team of partners will discuss and execute a plan—much like ones they do for clients. So how does this former E-Z GO engineer top an honor given to SME for the 3rd consecutive

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B2B Stories

Local catering and events business expands to Columbia County

A local family well known for catering and event planning has now expanded its business empire to Evans. The Usry family – owners of Enterprise Mill Events & Catering, Fat Man’s Café, The Southern Salad, and Sno-Cap Drive-In – recently took over the fourth floor of The Plaza at the Evans Towne Center located at 7025 Evans Town Center Boulevard near the Columbia County Performing Arts Center. The Fourth Rooftop Venue – a 3,000-square-foot space with a balcony overlooking Lady A Park and the pavilion – can now be rented

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B2B Stories

Former West Augusta gym, supermarket and salon buildings are getting a new purpose

A new, indoor, climate-controlled storage facility is in the middle of the demolition phase, with the hopes of a Grand Opening in the next several months. Chaplin and Sons in Augusta is demolishing the interior of the far left plaza on Walton Way Extension (see photo above) that used to be home to Aqua Salon, Harris Teeter and then Gold’s Gym. Most recently, Poteet and Sons had offices for their crematory division of the funeral home inside the former Aqua Salon building. Poteet moved to Shaw Street in Martinez and

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B2B Stories

Passing the baton to a professional CEO

A few weeks ago, I suggested a few succession planning options that senior business owners could consider as they are approaching their retirement age. One of those options was having a professional manager or CEO run your business. Giving your throne and position to a professional CEO could be challenging, especially for business owners who have founded their firm since its inception and have a deep emotional attachment with their business. My own research suggests that businesses run by founder CEOs tend to perform better than professional CEOs. These findings

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B2B Stories

Construction underway on former Augusta restaurant location

A construction crew is working to clear out the former Atlanta Bread Company building located at 255 Robert C. Daniel Jr. Parkway next to Panda Express. The restaurant, which serves sandwiches, salads, and soups, opened in the Augusta Exchange Shopping Center in 1998 and closed in May 2019. The closest Atlanta Bread is in Greenville, as the other CSRA location on Whiskey Road in Aiken closed in November, 2017. ABD visited the location and spoke with members of the construction crew, but they didn’t know if another business will move

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B2B Stories

Medical staffing company buys $830,000 office building in CSRA

A former Meybohm commercial agent struck a deal with a current Meybohm commercial agent and a California-based medical staffing company will be moving to Evans as a result. The approximate 6,000 square foot building sold for $830,000 near the entrance to the Riverwood Plantation neighborhood in Evans at 205 Addison Square. The real estate holding company for 365 Healthcare Staffing Services purchased the building. The company is based in San Diego and has many medical personnel placements in the CSRA—and wanted to be closer to clients—and expand over time in

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B2B Stories

COACH’S CORNER: Employee Recognition

All businesses claim to value their employees and to be committed to a culture that recognizes and rewards employee achievements. But success in this effort may be elusive, particularly if employers only half-heartedly embrace an “employee-centric” culture. By contrast, businesses that actively pursue this goal often find that they retain valued workers longer and that their recruiting efforts for new hires benefit from a culture of employee recognition. Here are ways you can build your own culture of recognition and demonstrate how much you appreciate the efforts of your team

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B2B Stories

COOK OUT restaurant to retrofit closed restaurant in the CSRA

Cook Out is the owner of the 2.2 acre former Ryan’s Buffet property on 1275 Knox Avenue. It will be the first store in North Augusta and second in Aiken County. Cook Out owns five restaurants in the CSRA on Walton Way, Washington Road, Peach Orchard Road, Jimmy Dyess Parkway and Whiskey Road in Aiken. The restaurant features Cook Out Trays for around $5 to include a choice of Char-Grilled Burgers, 2 Hot Dogs, Barbeque, 2 Quesadillas or Chicken, plus two sides, and a large drink. There are more than

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B2B Stories

Evans DIY business sold to new owners

New owners of AR Workshop A successful do-it-yourself arts and crafts business in Evans is changing hands at the end of the month. AR Workshop – located at 3116 William Few Parkway next door to Rooted Coffeehouse in the Riverwood Shopping Center – has been sold to new owners who will take over the business on June 28. Owners Brandi Collins and Anita Barr will hold a VIP farewell party on Saturday, June 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and only 24 seats are available for clients. Collins is

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B2B Stories

Another day, another downtown Augusta building sold!

ABD reported that another downtown building, the former Antiques Marketplace on Broad Street sold recently for $575,000. That deal was brokered by Jordan Trotter Commercial Real Estate. This building at 1031 Ellis Street was purchased for $500,000. (Photo courtesy Zillow) A 113-year-old building on 10th and Broad just sold for $500,000 to one of the tenants The building at 1031 Ellis Street features a bar, nightclub, and restaurant venue called “Soultry Sounds”. There are also three loft apartments above the club. Jonathan Aceves, the commercial real estate broker for Meybohm tells ABD

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