Consumer Stories

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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Consumer Stories

CSRA business leaders hope to save thousands of lives

More than 10,000 of our neighbors in Augusta suffer from sickle cell anemia. Both Richmond County and the state of Georgia are at the top of the heap across the country for a relentless disease. The answer for now is a blood donation, preferably from families who are struggling with sickle cell, but all donations matter. 100 Black Men of Augusta is comprised of educators, counselors, and other business leaders throughout Augusta. The members of the organization mentor, provide leadership development, offer scholarships, and focus on the needs of health

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Consumer Stories

Supermarket phenom launches new concept in old store

When 28-year-old, Jackson Mitchell, CEO of Jackson Mitchell Holdings, sets his mind to a project, he goes big—even though he knows he can always go home. The 4th generation member of the Alabama-based Mitchell grocery empire currently operates five Little Giant Farmers Market locations in the Atlanta area. His grocery company was named Clayton County Business of the Year. The supermarket phenom chose Augusta to be the flagship store of his “Fresh Take” concept to re-imagine the traditional grocery experience, while creating 130 jobs for Augusta locals around the summer of 2024. He’ll be

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Closings

CSRA restaurant closes for now

Editor’s note: As ABD reported last week, more than 25 restaurants have closed in the past year. It’s a tough business and the reasons vary for shutting the doors. Some had been opened for a year or two, and others like Villa Europa have been serving customers for 50 years. As we reported, they will close but are looking for a new location. There is now yet another restaurant scouting for a new place to call home. Munchie’s Lab served their last meal on Friday, September 15. Their closing date

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B2B Stories

Unique food business launches in the CSRA

As someone who grew up in the food and beverage business, Tia Harville dreamed of opening a restaurant. Covid forced her to ditch that plan for another business that also runs in the family. “In 2014, my husband’s aunt and uncle, Cindy and Anthony Mask opened Town Square Olive Oil in Covington, Ga. The concept appealed to us because there is really nothing quite like it here and we thought it would be good for North Augusta,” Harville explained. She is correct. The businesses surrounding Town Square Olive Oil &

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B2B Stories

Through the strikes, Hollywood reflects corporate realities

Dylan James graduated from the Savannah College of Art & Design with a BFA in Dramatic Writing. He has studied both the ‘show’ and ‘business’ aspects of show business since childhood, and writes through sociological analysis, seeking relevance in the art and commerce for the moment. In today’s column, he offers his opinion on the Hollywood labor strikes and the facts on their economic impact for Georgia. It’s been nearly seventeen weeks since the Writers Guild of America (WGA) reached their negotiation deadline with the Alliance of Motion Picture &

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B2B Stories

Georgia takes bite out of the Big Apple, Augusta in Top 3 film locations

Georgia is celebrating 50 years of the Georgia Film Office. Yesterday, Governor Brian Kemp announced another blockbuster year for the film and television industry as the Peach State surpasses New York in the number of film studios and sound stages. The state hosted 390 productions, represented by 31 feature films, 55 independent films, 241 television and episodic productions, 40 commercials, and 23 music videos between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, amounting to more than $4 billion pumped into Georgia’s economy. Augusta is a big part of the industry’s

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B2B Stories

Paid training leads to well-paying job

A local ambulance service is offering paid training for a position that pays $50,000 a year. Gold Cross Emergency Medical Service is offering a three-week class to become certified as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR). EMR is a relatively new category in the field of emergency medical services. It was created as a result of staff shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Georgia just started allowing us to do this over a year ago, because COVID-19 just wreaked havoc with everybody, and there’s a huge shortage of healthcare and EMS too,”

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Consumer Stories

Retailers/Restaurants moving into “Final Cut” building

Big boxes are turning into small boxes. ABD confirmed that a hardware store, a Greek American restaurant, and another retailer will subdivide the former Final Cut store at 500 Furys Ferry Road in Martinez and be ready to open in the next several months. 2 Boys Pizza and Grill has been in the former Denny’s restaurant building at 3026 Washington Road for almost three years. They will be taking a 3,415 square feet space out of approximately 50,000 square feet that was once a BI-LO supermarket. 2 Boys will join

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Closings

Where have all the restaurants gone?

Editor’s note: This is the second part of stories about restaurant closings in the CSRA. Yesterday, we reported on the upcoming closing of Villa Europa which has served German and Italian cuisine to families for 50 years. Today, we delve into the “why” behind the closings. More than 25 restaurants in the CSRA have closed since this time last year. Some were popular local businesses which served the area for many years, including Betsy’s Round the Corner, DiVino Ristorante Italiano, and The Bee’s Knees. A few were franchises affiliated with

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