Openings

B2B Podcasting

Huge grand opening for one restaurant; another one planned soon

One of the largest CSRA ribbon cuttings in recent memory kicked off a big weekend for a new West Augusta restaurant, while its neighbor to the far left expects to open within a few weeks. Dave’s Hot Chicken leaders told Augusta Business Daily its soft opening did very well the day before, on Thursday, March 28th. With a nod to the upcoming Masters tournament, DHC provided a golf simulator (far right) and a mystery envelope giveaway for the first 500 guests on Friday. During the weekend, several schools, first responders,

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Consumer Stories

New retailer opening in Artist Row before Masters

Thalia & Company is opening in the lower left suite at 1022 Broad Street in downtown Augusta, joining Freshwater Design Company. (Photo from LoopNet real estate service prior to this new development) Thalia & Company is opening a residential interior design storefront.  The studio offers a curated selection of home goods and professional design services.  The shop features custom furnishings, thoughtfully selected décor, and wallpaper services through a partnership with Mai Wallpaper Lady.

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Consumer Stories

Two retailers opening in shopping center in Martinez

A clothing boutique and spa are moving into a popular shopping center on Furys Ferry Road near the Publix Supermarket.  Forevermore is replacing Garden City Pet in The Centre at Furys Ferry. Kennedy Nine Sammons, the boutique owner, is relocating to the Centre from a shopping center on South Belair Road and is currently doing a moving sale of her curated fashion pieces. Her business is a tribute to her late grandfather, who inspired her entrepreneurial spirit.  (See ABD’s second anniversary story from last August) Joining Forevermore is Face to Face

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Consumer Stories

New Business Alert: Combining event planning with vintage china

Patti McGrath has worked in the CSRA in marketing and handling event planning for many years.  Now, she can add business owner to her resume. When she decided to open her own company, she decided to focus on creating events that celebrate the moments that make our lives memorable instead of large corporate affairs. She also wanted to offer vintage china to help others add the elegance of a bygone era to their table. Her event planning and vintage china business, Simply Social Events and More, LLC, opened for business

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B2B Stories

CSRA Businesspeople to Make Cotton Exchange A Thriving Space for Work & Fun

In September 2004, this reporter attended a huge grand re-opening of the Cotton Exchange building when Georgia Bank & Trust opened a downtown Augusta branch. After South State bought GB&T in 2017, it remained a bank until closing within the last few years as Augusta’s Riverwalk lost its luster and some businesses. Soon, Dr. Troy Akers and his wife, Nancy, will restore the historic Cotton Exchange building, after recently purchasing it. It’s reopening as corporate office space and an upscale event venue. They’ll honor the building’s legacy, which was constructed

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Consumer Stories

Automotive company to hire 200 people in the CSRA with a record investment

Another automotive project in Georgia is on the move in the CSRA with a $30 million investment. Governor Brian P. Kemp’s office says Dongwon Autopart Technology plans a new production facility in Emanuel County. Workers from Burke, Jefferson, and Jenkins County will likely fill management, system leads, and production positions. Hiring will begin this year for the approximate 200 positions. This is an expansion for the 55-year-old company that supplies components such as doorframes, seat frames, and battery frames to automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The company supports more than 500

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Consumer Stories

Miami connection to new Augusta restaurant

The owners of the new El Tejano Latin Cuisine Express have a connection to Miami, Florida, and are bringing bold flavors and a mashup of Latin culture. The restaurant is expected to open soon in the former I Heart Mac N Cheese at 826 Cabela Drive. The shuttered restaurant closed in the fall of 2025. Thanks to the Village at Riverwatch commercial realtor Jordan Trotter for the photo/art above and the heads up.  El Tejano fancies itself as a fast casual restaurant, and according to the JT newsletter, “promises crave-worthy

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B2B Stories

New restaurant aims to melt your heart

After a false start in North Augusta, the Melty’s franchise just moved into the CSRA with a focus on different cheeses on all of their sandwiches. Melty’s is now open each day at 10:30 in the Aiken Towne Park near Whiskey Road. Sandwiches start at $7 (4 cheese Grilled Cheese) to $11, and selections include Chicken, Pulled Pork, Cuban, Cheeseburger, Turkey Avocado, French Dip, BBQ Brisket, Club Sandwich, Caprese, and a patty melt. For another $5 to $8, customers receive a drink and a premium side order. S.D. Clifton Construction

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B2B Stories

FBI man becomes CSRA businessman to continue investigations

Chuck McKee spent 20 years working for the FBI. Now he leads the FBIS (Forensic Brothers Investigation Services) unit in the Augusta/Aiken area and TrustVault.  TrustVault is a “Good Housekeeping-like seal of approval” for people’s character and perhaps the companies they work for. McKee’s FBI career brought him to the Augusta region in 2005, and he worked in the following fraud divisions: Healthcare Mortgage—McKee investigated those who misrepresented their mortgage applications related to employment, bank account information, property repairs, and more. Counterintelligence—McKee looked into employees at Fort Gordon, NSA, Plant

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Closings

BizBits

In today’s Biz Bits, ABD looks into a restaurant closing in Evans, a snack shop opening in downtown Augusta, and DoorDash helping out the hungry. Ruby Tuesday is now closed permanently in Mullins Crossing in Evans. Two North Augusta locations remain open for the casual restaurant. With 1600 reviews, Ruby Tuesday had a 4.0 rating out of 5, but many customers on Facebook wrote how the service, cleanliness, and food quality had gone down.   Pop’n Off Gourmet Popcorn and Nuts is celebrating its grand opening and celebration tomorrow afternoon,

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