Consumer Stories

ABD Extra

Economic Update: “Feeling Good”

We knew that you would! Join Coach Dave Holdeman from The Alternative Board of the CSRA and Augusta Business Daily publisher, Neil Gordon to recap the week that was. They discuss a bill Governor Brian Kemp signed in Augusta that will assist in creating a reimagined James Brown Arena, providing new jobs and bringing big names to the CSRA. Be the first to get the scoop on all this and more in the latest economic update!

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ABD Extra

Nutritional Resources Inc. and Ovation Foods Announce Strategic Partnership

Nutritional Resources Inc. dba HealthWise, a Grovetown, Georgia creator of meal replacements and high protein nutritional foods announced a strategic and financial partnership with Ovation Foods Inc. based in Waterloo, Wisconsin in a press release April 27. In a statement released by Nutritional Resources Inc., the company said that it finds Ovation Foods Inc. to hold similar values. “For almost 30 years, Nutritional Resources has been committed to providing healthcare professionals with the highest quality, greatest tasting, and affordable nutritional products to help their patients reclaim their passion for life.

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ABD Extra

Simon Says: Employment declines in the CSRA

Last week, I reported an improvement in the labor market variables in the Leading Economic Index (LEI). After falling from mid-summer 2022, there was an improvement in the first two months of this year. Unfortunately, the main indicator of labor market health, employment, has yet to show signs of recovery. As suggested by the decline in the LEI since mid-summer, employment in the Augusta MSA has fallen from 245,200 in November to 241,000 in March (see graph). Education and health services, professional and business services and transportation and utilities all

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ABD Extra

Real financial figures in for Masters 2023

Business, government and tourism leaders are tallying up the financial impact of the 2023 Masters Golf Tournament and all are showing a return to pre-COVID-19 numbers. One thing everyone agreed on is that this year marked the return for what they were calling a “full blown” Masters Week, a return to pre-pandemic levels, in both number of visitors and excitement. Destination Augusta reports the Augusta/Richmond County lodging sector saw substantial gains in revenue compared to the same time last year. Destination Augusta uses two companies that specialize in data for

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Consumer Stories

Nearly 30 local businesses featured in downtown coloring book

As a downtown restaurant owner, Ramiro Galvan wants to attract people throughout the CSRA to his eatery on Walton Way, which is why he was excited to participate in a creative project that allows him to build connections with potential customers in a unique way. Galvan, owner of The Munchies Lab, is one of nearly 30 local business owners featured in the new Downtown Augusta Coloring Book, a fundraiser created by a non-profit organization called Beautify Augusta that will use the proceeds from the book’s sales to fund new murals

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Consumer Stories

CSRA bank donates more than 300 books to nonprofit partner

Reading books is the only out-of-school activity for 16-year-olds that is linked to getting a managerial or professional job in later life. There are plenty of studies to back up that assessment, but a love for reading starts much sooner than the teen years by having books to read in the first place. Bank of America held a book drive in March in recognition of National Reading Month. Through their branches in Aiken, North Augusta, Evans, and Augusta, they donated 339 books to RISE Augusta, just in time for the

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Consumer Stories

CSRA children’s event scheduled for tomorrow still accepting vendors

Tomorrow, about 30 CSRA businesses and non-profit organizations will serve as vendors for a local outdoor children’s event, and there’s still time for your business to participate. CSRA Kids, an online guide that provides resources and information about children’s activities, will host the second annual SummerFest from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lions Memorial Field located at 619 West Buena Vista Ave. in North Augusta. So far, vendors for the free event include AR Workshop North Augusta, Premier Martial Arts, Tutor Doctor of Evans, and Bearded Chef. Its sponsors

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Closings

National restaurant chain closes CSRA restaurant location

O’Charley’s Restaurant and Bar was founded more than 50 years ago, but in recent years, the restaurant chain known for its classic American fare has closed many of its nationwide locations. The Augusta location at the corner of Wheeler Road and Robert C. Daniel Jr. Parkway has just been added to that list. ABD spoke with a manager at the Aiken location to find out the reason for its closure. “They had struggled to get business for many years, so they decided to go ahead and shut it down,” the

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Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Manny’s Sports Off Broad

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 the 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”.

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Consumer Stories

Local brewery to host unique community event

A local brewery has planned an event that will include food, beer, and even hot dog eating competitions. On Saturday, May 20 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Love Augusta and Savannah River Brewing Co. located at 813 Fifth St. in downtown Augusta will host the first-ever Wiener Fest. The free event will also feature music, axe throwing, and various types of hot dogs served by CSRA restaurants, such as Villa Europa, Manny’s Sports Off Broad, and SNO-CAP Drive-In. During the event, donations will be accepted for Dog and Cat

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