Closings

Closings

North Augusta office supply store location to close in August

A big-box office supply store in North Augusta is closing its doors and offering discounts of up to 30 percent on all items. Office Depot, which is located in Martintown Plaza at 1117 Knox Ave. between Planet Fitness and Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology, will close around August 20 because the company didn’t renew the lease in time to keep it open, according to a store employee. “It’s only this store that’s closing; there are other stores in Augusta and Evans,” he said. The Augusta store is located at 3675

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Closings

Retirement leads to the end of one dry cleaning franchise, and the start of another

After 70 years in the local dry-cleaning business, Brickle’s Cleaners & Laundry has closed its stores, paving the way for Lapels Cleaners, a national franchise, to take over one of its locations. In April, business partners, Frank Booker and Christopher Westbrook opened a Lapels franchise at 4296 Washington Road between Taco Bell and Mattress Man in Evans, the former home of Brickle’s, whose owners retired earlier in the year. Brickle’s opened its original location on Walton Way in 1952. The business name on the front of the building is currently

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Closings

Local spa succumbs to staffing issues, plans to close

The local labor shortage has forced small business owners to find creative ways to hire and retain employees, including offering sign-on bonuses and remote work options. But some owners have decided to close their doors permanently. Kim Kitts, the owner of Balanced Body Spa, recently announced on Facebook she is closing the business on April 26 after 16 years. Located at 2916 Professional Parkway in Augusta, the spa provides a variety of therapeutic massage services. In the Facebook post, Kitts cited staffing issues as the reason the business is closing.

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Closings

Pediatric urgent care clinic to replace longtime furniture business

After more than 20 years in business, The Wicker Barn officially closed its doors on Friday, Dec. 31. But the building will soon be repurposed for a pediatric urgent care business. Wicker Barn, which was located at 3910 Washington Road in Martinez, sold a variety of indoor and outdoor wicker furniture. Glen Martin managed The Wicker Barn for many years. “We had a great customer base, and we just had a great time,” said Martin. Though the store is closed, he’s still working in The Wicker Barn warehouse selling the

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Closings

Popular Japanese steakhouse to reopen in Columbia County

A local Japanese restaurant has closed its doors in Augusta, leaving loyal customers wondering if they will ever get the chance to eat their favorite dishes again. Yosko Japanese Steakhouse (see photo above), which was located at 2825 Washington Road in the Fairway Square Shopping Center in Augusta, recently closed. But the business will soon reopen at 3118 William Few Parkway next to Rooted Coffeehouse in Evans, according to Jordan Collier, Director of Commercial Properties for Meybohm Real Estate. “I’m not 100% sure when they’ll be moving in,” says Collier.

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Closings

Long-time car audio business closes its doors

After 33 years in business, a local car audio installation company has closed its doors permanently. Founded in 1988, Anything Audio was located at 3906 Washington Road in Augusta. The business’s owner, Richard Hurt, says he decided to close for a combination of reasons. At 63, Hurt figured it was time to retire and enjoy spending time with his first grandchild. “I wanted to retire at 60 and then thought I could hold on until 66,” he states. “I made it halfway.” Hurt say he faced significant supply-chain issues. “Right

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Closings

T’s Seafood Restaurant to close permanently after turning down grant

T’s Seafood Restaurant which suffered a devastating fire in September of 2020 will not be re-opening at their longtime location on Highway 56 in South Augusta. ABD has learned that Garrett Fulcher met with Richmond County Commissioners, the Augusta Economic Development Authority and other government entities. He originally agreed to accept a grant in the neighborhood of $250,000, and apparently had a change of heart. According to WGAC talk show host Austin Rhodes, Fulcher called him to let him know that it would not be possible financially to get everything

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Closings

Long-time business owner closes 85-year-old shop

After many years of working 12-hour days running a busy family auto repair shop, Chuck Smith knew it was time for a change. Smith owned Smitty’s Auto Service – located at 1428 Gordon Highway, for 25 years, but he worked at the shop for more than 50 years until it closed on Friday, Sept. 3. “It was the only job I ever had,” says Smith, whose grandfather started the business in 1936 near the intersection of Milledgeville and Olive Roads. In high school, he was responsible for opening and closing

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Closings

Long-time auto repair shop closes its doors

A 75-year-old Augusta auto repair shop has closed. Smitty’s Auto Service – located at 1428 Gordon Highway, was founded in 1936 by J.W. Smith Sr. According to the business’s website, the shop operated in its current location since 1967. Smith’s grandson, J.W. (Chuck) Smith III, ran the shop for many years until it closed, and his wife and son worked with him. ABD has learned the fourth-generation family business closed because of Smith’s health problems and inability to find dependable help. At this point, it’s uncertain whether he will reopen

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