Consumer Stories

Prior to becoming a business owner, Dusty Germo worked as an engineer at John Deere for 12 years and pursued various hobbies in his spare time, but he now helps his customers enjoy their hobbies. Since July 2022, Germo has owned the Augusta franchise location of HobbyTown, which is located near Furniture Outlet at 266 Bobby Jones Expressway, Suite 110 in Augusta. The 3,000-square-foot store has been open since 1993. He’s moving the business to a 9,000-square-foot building, which is currently under construction at 4107 Riverwatch Parkway, Suite 4 at

A well-known convenience store chain has opened a new location in North Augusta, while a Kansas-based fast-food restaurant is preparing to open its first-ever location in Aiken County. QuikTrip has opened at 930 Edgefield Road, the latest business to join the growth continuing in the area around exit five off Interstate 20. This is QT’s second location in Aiken County. It had an existing store off Bettis Academy Road in Graniteville. “We bring our signature commitment to quality and friendly customer service, and over 20 new, good-paying jobs to the

The grand opening of a new Martinez tea shop drew a standing-room-only crowd Sunday, as local residents lined up to sample its menu of Taiwanese drinks. Ding Tea, which has hundreds of locations throughout the world, now has a new shop next door to El Rey at 3830 Washington Road, Suite 27 in the West Town Shopping Center. The family-owned shop celebrated its soft opening on Friday, Feb. 17, according to its manager, Paul Phan. The owners, John Phan, Hung Nguyen, and Tim Nguyen, also own the Cho Ba Mien

LaToya Roper’s son was diagnosed with autism at age 3, which prompted her to establish a local recreation center for children with special needs. Roper is the owner and Executive Director of Love and Care ECC (Exceptional Children’s Childcare) located at 106 SRP Drive, Suite A in Evans. The center, which offers an after-school program and summer camp for children ranging from Pre-K to 12th grade, will celebrate the grand opening of its new facility tomorrow, from 12 noon to 2 p.m., with vendors and a fun zone for kids.

The CSRA will soon have its 25th Starbucks location, according to Jordan Trotter Commercial Real Estate. Construction appears to be nearing completion on a new coffee shop at 421 South Belair Road, near I-20 and next door to Popeyes in Martinez. Other locations include Grovetown, Evans, Augusta, North Augusta, and Aiken, as well as Fort Gordon. Starbucks can also be found in many retail stores, including Kroger, Target, and Barnes & Noble located in the Augusta Mall. It’s the U.S.’s largest coffee chain with more than 15,000 locations nationwide. The