Consumer Stories

Closings

International grocery store chain to close CSRA location this weekend

Jennifer Sparling has been a loyal Lidl shopper ever since the grocery store location opened in North Augusta in Sept. 2017. But now that the German retailer has announced it will close that location on Sunday, Sparling isn’t sure where she plans to buy coffee, bread, and other staples for her family. The store is located at 417 East Martintown Road. “I’ve always been a proponent of frugal living, so I love their reasonable prices, and they’ve helped to keep me and my family fed without struggle,” Sparling said. She

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B2B Podcasting

Panel discussion: Real Estate power with Nancy Powell

Join us as we take a look back at the real estate panel discussion from ABD’s Conference and Expo in May. Nancy Powell, CEO and Broker of Powell & Associates, Inc., provides some numbers about the housing market in today’s day and age. She says that because people won’t see extremely low-interest rates in this economy, it will take innovation and new ideas to address the housing shortage.

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B2B Stories

A cool treat “pops” into town

Just in time for summer, Augusta Pop Company is serving up frozen treats that can keep Augustans cool during the heat wave. Owned by married couple, Nico and Courtney Bernal, the popsicle business was started nearly six months ago. They’ve positioned the mobile company to be an option for people wanting a cold, dairy-free dessert on the go. Courtney Bernal is a native of the CSRA and an alumna of Augusta University. She obtained her bachelor’s, master’s, and specialist degrees from the college. Nico Bernal, originally from Florida, moved to

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Consumer Stories

Best Places to Work: Bagwell Insurance Services

Bagwell Insurance Services 108 Davis Road Martinez, GA. 30907 dbagwell@bagwellins.com Job Opening: Full-Time Administrative Professional It’s been 50 years since David Bagwell’s father first hung his shingle in historic Augusta. And while the family-owned and family-run insurance company has since relocated to Martinez, Bagwell Insurance Services’ mission remains the same. “I saw early on growing up (insurance) was something I wanted to do,” said Bagwell. “As an independent agent, we can offer a lot of different products to a lot of different people.   Insurance can be a complicated thing and

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Consumer Stories

Best of Business Lunch Review: Tacocat

Editor’s Note: Wes Hennings never met a meal he walked away from and is an opinionated eater! Each Thursday he shares the results of a business lunch he’s had with a colleague as a way to advise our business community on the good, bad, and tasty across the CSRA. He doesn’t let ABD or the restaurant know where he is going and his opinions are his own. He grades the restaurants he visits on a 1-5 scale with “5” being outstanding. We call this our “Real Business Lunch Review”. Food

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B2B Stories

Local business owners offer fun alternative to traditional painting

For many people, painting is a way to relax, hone their craft or express their creativity, but a new business opening today in North Augusta will allow both children and adults to create fun, unique paintings that require no artistic talent. Chris and Brandy Gunsolus own The Splatter Place located at 614 East Martintown Road, Suite C, across the street from Krystal and next door to Aishi Steak & Wings. The business gives customers the chance to throw ultraviolet blacklight reactive paint at a variety of canvases, including hats, T-shirts,

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Consumer Stories

Local businesses create healthy meals and desserts that taste like the “real thing”

Amber Connor’s bakery creates healthier alternatives to popular desserts, such as cookies, cupcakes, and brownies, and she’s now set her sights on teaching kids to follow its motto of “Treats without the cheats.” Connor, owner of Sinless Sweets located at 4336 B Washington Road in Evans, will offer her first-ever kids’ baking class for children between the ages of 5 and 12 on Wednesday, July 12. “There were 24 spots available, and all the spots sold out in an hour and a half,” she said. “We plan to offer another

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B2B Stories

Derek May: What changes have businesses made since the pandemic?

We’ve come a long way since 2020 and Augusta’s doing well. We’re taking a look back at the economic panel discussion from ABD’s Conference and Expo in May, in which Derek May, President of Azalea Investments, speaks about key economic indicators that show how the business world has pulled through.

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B2B Stories

Young entrepreneur opens hair salon in the CSRA

How do you beat the summer heat? Let us count the ways, a dip in the pool, a relationship with A/C, or another way is opting for a shorter haircut. Summer cuts are cooler and fit the relaxed, carefree lifestyle of the season. At Summer Cuts in Aiken, Summer Engelberg is standing by with scissors in hand to give you a “new do.” “The seasons seem to run in my family. My sisters are named Autumn and Winter, but a customer gave me a sign that reads, ‘Summer cuts all

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B2B Stories

Hair today, gone tomorrow? A new wig boutique can help

Editor’s note: I’m a breast cancer survivor. The surgeries and chemotherapy were bad enough but, honestly, one of the worst parts of the experience was losing most of my hair. After all, a woman’s hair is her crowning glory. And yes, I sought out a wig. A full head of hair gives us confidence and makes us shine. Having a good hair day can boost our confidence, as well as our mood. But if you suffer hair loss, it can affect you physically and emotionally. “Your hair doesn’t define you,

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