We’ve got stories that will work up an appetite! Coach Dave Holdeman from The Alternative Board of the CSRA and Augusta Business Daily publisher, Neil Gordon talk about local entrepreneurs treading a path in the food business. Get to know the details on all that and more in this week’s economic update.
In June 2022, Georgia Alexander opened a vegan restaurant in Augusta, but just one year later, she and her mother and co-owner, Diane Francis are struggling to keep the business afloat, thanks to mounting debts and rising food costs. Alexander and Francis own Soca Vegan Kitchen, which serves a variety of Trinidad-inspired dishes and is located at 630 Crane Creek Drive, Suite 103, near Sprouts Farmers Market. Alexander recently started a GoFundMe with a goal of raising $500,000. As of Friday, she had received 10 donations totaling $735. “We are
At last month’s ABD EXPO, Derek May shared the impressive footprint from Azalea Investments that has created “homes” for some of Augusta’s largest businesses.
He came from the land of “Leaf Peepers” aka Barrington, New Hampshire, and settled in the “Winter Colony” aka Aiken. The path to opening a restaurant was at the end of a long and winding road for Samuel O’Lone. “My degree is in theology. I worked for eight years at a food service company which taught me a lot about food, but not cooking, and then I worked in student housing in Athens, GA. My sisters were into riding and showing horses and they would come to Aiken during the
As we know, the world has changed since the start of the decade. We take a look back at the economic panel discussion from ABD’s Conference and Expo in May as Davis Beman, principal of Beman Real Estate Company, responds to a question about how businesses should pivot and remain true to core values following the pandemic.
A new report published by Lake Homes Realty stated demand for lakefront property has surged this year, and at least one CSRA realtor told ABD she’s not surprised. The report is quoted as saying that lake lot listings have gone up by nearly $6 billion since February. “Lake home buyers know the market, trends and transactions, plus they detest inappropriately overpriced listings,” said Glenn S. Phillips, CEO and Chief Economic Analyst at Lake Homes Realty. “I still expect the 2023 transaction count to exceed 2022 by 10% to 15%. Increasing
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
Every part of running a business has the potential to stress you out and keep you up at night. Lack of sales, too much debt, issues with employees, and problems with equipment and operations can keep your brain in motion 24/7. It’s not physically or mentally healthy for you or your business. The Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce might have some advice for you as they wind up their Men in Business month with a Men’s Health Summit Brunch this Saturday, June 24, at 10:00 a.m. Business owners are
Edgefield, SC — GasPro, a leading fuel and convenience store chain headquartered in Grovetown, has opened two new locations in Johnston and Trenton. Formerly known as Billy’s gas stations, these modern GasPro stores are now fully operational and ready to fill up your car or truck tank with fuel and your personal tank with an array of food choices. GasPro offers all grades of gasoline and diesel. In addition to fuel, the stores have a wide selection of snacks, beverages, and accessories tailored to the needs of truckers. For busy
Kevin Goldsmith is at it again. He started Takosushi more than a decade ago and it’s become a local and regional success. The European native is celebrating 50 years in the food and beverage industry. Trattoria Polipo is an ode to his childhood, when he enjoyed the understated, affordable neighborhood restaurants that were gathering, eating and drinking spots for family and friends. Most meals are $18.50, plus a little more for meat or shrimp, which includes a house salad and freshly baked bread. The restaurant is open for dinners beginning
