Openings

Dallas Hooks and Rodney Wells recognized the need for health and wellness businesses in downtown Augusta. That’s why the business partners have launched two complementary businesses: VTS Nutrition at 226 Eighth St. and SOE Studio next door at 230 Eighth St. VTS stands for Vibes. Teas. Shakes and SOE stands for Studio on Eighth. Both businesses celebrated their grand opening on Saturday, August 27. Hooks estimates they occupy a combined 2,000 square feet. VTS serves teas in a variety of flavors, including Coconut Cove Tea Me and Shirley Temple Tea

If you’ve ever met someone by accident, as in a fender bender, hit a deer, or your car has endured peeling paint or hail damage, chances are you’ve visited Kendrick Paint and Body Shop. They have eight locations throughout the CSRA including the latest expansion at their South Aiken location. Your parents or grandparents may have rolled into the original building on Jones Street in Augusta started by James Kendrick in 1952. When the Savannah River Site was built and traffic increased, so did the footprint of the collision repair

While business ownership comes with its share of perks, it often comes with more than its share of stresses. But, so does writing about businesses. Before ABD publisher, Neil Gordon offered me the job of business reporter, I was well acquainted with stress. For many years, I juggled various full-time jobs in higher education and freelance writing gigs that consumed much of my spare time. Writing is now my full-time profession, and, while I still love storytelling, I often feel stressed out. And I’ve discovered I’m not alone. According to

The CSRA’s newest coffee shop is a familiar name to patrons of the Augusta Saturday Market. After several years of serving the area with a food truck, Lily’s Coffee, Tea, and Bread opened a brick-and-mortar store Monday morning. The store at 1378 Laney Walker Blvd., within easy walking distance from the medical district, serves Vietnamese coffee, fruit teas, and sandwiches that have been the favorite fare from the food truck. Owner, Lily Nguyen was urged to pick the spot for the store by her niece and nephew who attend medical

A local credit union plans to open a new branch in a long-vacant Aiken County building. SRP Federal Credit Union has purchased the building located at 201 Main St. South in the small town of New Ellenton near the Savannah River Site, according to Meybohm Commercial Properties, which represented the buyer and seller in this transaction. It was formerly occupied by two fast-food restaurants: Hardees and Popeyes. The more than 3,300-square-foot property was listed for $175,000. Founded in 1960, SRP already has 22 branches throughout Georgia and South Carolina, including