Openings

B2B Stories

Forecasting the economic future of the CSRA

While it may seem that the economic picture for Augusta is about as clear as the muddy banks of the Savannah River, there are a few signs of hope for 2024. One of the sure bets is learning the ups and downs of the Labor Market Index (LMI), Leading Economic Index (LEI), measuring the value of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), among many other contributing factors, and how those will impact your business in 2024. Dr. Simon Medcalfe is a Professor of Economics and Finance at the James M. Hull College of Business at

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Consumer Stories

CSRA Executive dips his toes in unchartered waters

Neil Gwynne was more known in the CSRA in a suit and tie leading 130 managers and 3,500 associates for Amazon, including at the fulfillment center in Appling. This spring and summer, you may see him work a bit more in swim trunks during his first full season as a PoolWerx franchisee. Gwynne feels like a whole new person and was candid recently during a franchisee spotlight that PoolWerx distributed nationally. “Eventually, I got tired of being in the corporate world, I really wanted a better work-life balance. Amazon isn’t

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B2B Stories

New shop will capture the spirit of Aiken

Like many visitors, Sarah Dodge and her husband came for the horses but fell in love with the community. Four years ago, after visiting friends in the Winter Colony, the dressage horse trainer and her farrier husband packed up their bags in Colorado and moved to Aiken. When she went looking for Aiken-themed products at the request of friends and family, she couldn’t find them. Her entrepreneurial skills took over and in a few weeks, she will open True Aiken. “I’ve always thought about opening a shop and I thought

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B2B Stories

New CSRA gift shop opens just in time for the holidays

A charming, southern house built almost 100 years ago has served as a real estate office, a salon, and an interior design shop. Now, another life has been breathed into the property at 1216 Whiskey Road in Aiken. Meadow Aiken is a family-owned shop that opened last month. The rooms of the home now feature an array of gifts and other home décor. “When we first saw it, we thought it was so beautiful we couldn’t stop thinking about it,” said owner, Nikki Mackenzie. “Yes, it was old and had

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B2B Stories

Who are you wearing? New women’s clothing shop answers the question

It’s the epitome of creating a small business. Find a need and fill it. Last spring, Angie Richards and Terri Rourk were shopping for new ensembles to wear during the polo season. They couldn’t find what they were looking for and that’s when the idea to create their own shop was born. Curated Clothiers opened on Nov. 1 at 108A Laurens Street in Aiken. Even though the polo season is over for the year, the holidays lie ahead. If you are shopping for yourself or gifts for others, they have

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Consumer Stories

New take on a grocery option downtown

On Broad Street, that great street, lies the heart of downtown, with restaurants, shops, recreational opportunities, businesses, and hotels. Now comes a grocery store, The Earth Pantry, to complete the picture of a place to benefit living, working, and playing downtown. The new shop, at 1026 Broad Street, is a step in the right direction for food goods. They not only offer bulk foods, but also home and body care items and a refrigerated section and will continue to expand food, beverage, wellness, and cleaning supply offerings. “Partnering with local

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Consumer Stories

New French restaurant brings bon appétit to the CSRA

Paris and Rome are famous for art and iconic landmarks, fashion, and cuisine. When the doors of DiVino’s Italian Ristorante closed after seven years, it seems appropriate that a restaurateur from Paris would bring a different taste of European culinary delights to the same location. Two weeks ago, Bistro 55 Restaurant & Bar opened at 465 Railroad Avenue in the Hammonds Ferry area of North Augusta. It was always manager, Maurice Cohen’s dream to move from his birthplace of Paris to the U.S. He lived in Los Angeles and managed

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B2B Stories

Award-winning baker branches out with grand opening for new restaurant

If you’ve ever had a sweet tooth, you’ve probably visited Bottom Line Bakery at 4534 Washington Road in the past couple of years. Surely, the display of cakes and the aroma of freshly baked bread and cinnamon rolls drew you into the establishment started by Kelsey Lucius. You might also have caught her on Season 7 of Chopped Sweets, where she turned four somewhat questionable baskets of ingredients into Million Dollar Desserts which captured the $10,000 winning prize. That was in March 2020. A few months later, Lucius opened her

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B2B Stories

New franchisee serves fastest growing population in the CSRA

Editor’s note: This is the first in a two-part series on aging in the CSRA, the impacts on the workforce, our economy, and the benefits of seniors caring for other seniors. We begin with a new business that addresses the care of seniors and employs members of the senior workforce. Let’s face it. None of us are getting any younger. In fact, older adults will soon outnumber kids for the first time in U.S. history. Fewer babies, coupled with longer life expectancy equals a country that ages faster. With this

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B2B Stories

New CSRA business is in the pink

There is no way you can miss a new boutique at 2569 Central Avenue in Augusta. The building is bright pink and is home to The Pink Boutique. The building, what’s inside, and the owner stand out. The business, which opened three months ago, features ladies’ fashions and modern-style home décor. “We offer a little something for everyone and work with dependable vendors and our own stylists who provide our shop with quality style and merchandise,” said owner, William Harrison. In the pink means a state of good health or

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