Consumer Stories

Consumer Stories

Grammy Award-winning musician kicks off local college’s annual capital campaign

You may recognize CeeLo Green from his time on “The Voice” or his smash hit, “Forget You,” but the five-time Grammy Award-winning singer is now helping to raise funds for a local college. Green serves as visiting professor and artist-in-residence for Paine College, which announced the kick-off of its 2023 annual capital campaign, “Growing Paine,” yesterday. The college’s goal is to raise $6 million in 60 days, funding that will be used for a variety of purposes, including improving student housing, renovating campus buildings, and buying new technology. The college

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Consumer Stories

Evans wellness studio to offer better health through stretching

If you’ve been dealing with stress, muscle tension, and achy joints, you’re certainly not alone. But a new wellness studio coming to Evans wants to help its clients stretch their way to better health. In Motion Wellness Studio is scheduled to open next Wednesday, March 1 at 3118 William Few Parkway, Suite 6 between Ocean Nails and Master Park’s World Class Tae Kwon Do in Riverwood Town Center, according to a local franchisee, Mike Montarbo. Montarbo was part of the original ownership of Evans Fitness when it launched in December

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Consumer Stories

Evans auto repair shop covers cost of funeral for employee’s granddaughter

Ken Lucas estimates his Columbia County automotive repair business performs $20,000 to $30,000 in free vehicle repairs each year. But the company recently helped one of its own team members who’s dealing with a family tragedy. Lucas owns the Evans location of Christian Brothers Automotive at 4481 Washington Road in Evans. The Christian-based company has more than 250 locations nationwide. One of his employees, Ernie Randall, lost his 13-year-old granddaughter, Julia Chavez, last Monday, Feb. 13. Chavez, a Harlem Middle School student, died of leukemia. “We have a foundation in

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Consumer Stories

Another hair salon for kids to open in Columbia County

Hair salons designed specifically for children are becoming increasingly popular, and another one is swimming its way to the CSRA. ABD recently told you about a similar business called Pigtails & Crewcuts, which is coming to 4357 Washington Road, Suite C, near Kroger in the Evans Crossing Shopping Center. This summer, Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids, a direct competitor of Pigtails & Crewcuts, is scheduled to open a salon at 4115 Columbia Road, which will be located near another Kroger grocery store, in Merchant’s Village in Martinez, according to Jordan Trotter

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Awards/Celebrations

CSRA business leader honored by BSA

The Georgia-Carolina Council, Boy Scouts of America have selected MAU Workforce Solutions CEO, Randy Hatcher as the 2023 Distinguished Citizen. Hatcher oversees more than 20 MAU locations in nine states from his Augusta headquarters at 501 Greene Street. The award was presented at the annual dinner last week at the Georgia-Carolina Nature and Adventure Center in Evans. Eagle Scout and former Council President, Doug Cates paid tribute to Hatcher for his decades of dedicated service to the community. Hatcher challenged the crowd to keep Scouting in their philanthropic plans. The

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Consumer Stories

Augusta National adds-on to tailgate party package

If you’re stuck at the office during tournament week in Augusta, you may want to ask the boss to order The Taste of the Masters package for your crew! It’s $25 more this year with some extra Masters memorabilia and hosting accessories such as coasters, Masters pin flag toothpicks, menus, food cards, and more. For $175, Augusta National will ship you the Taste of the Masters package by April 6th: 24 ounces of pimento cheese 24 ounces of egg salad 24 ounces of North Carolina-style pulled pork BBQ 6 bags of

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Consumer Stories

Augusta business owner rewards AU baseball program with new locker room

Rich Henderson loves college baseball and how passionate Augusta University coach, Chris Howell is about his players and their experiences. It’s the reason Henderson has pledged $250,000 toward a new baseball locker room. He has been a sponsor for AU Athletics for almost 10 years. Henderson said he met Howell at an athletics event and walked away with a good first impression. Over the years, the two developed a strong friendship. “I’ve been able to kind of see his passion up close. He’s good for Augusta,” said Henderson, who is

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Consumer Stories

Car wash business opens two new locations in the CSRA

A local car wash with multiple locations is currently building two more, one in Augusta and the other in Aiken. LuLu’s Express Car Wash currently has six locations, including Bobby Jones Expressway in Martinez, Jackson Road in Augusta, Edgefield Road in North Augusta, and East Pine Log Road in Aiken. The company’s new conveyor car washes will be located at 2212 Gordon Highway in Augusta and 3001 Whiskey Road in Aiken. LuLu’s is owned by Mammoth Holdings, LLC, an Atlanta-based private equity firm that owns and operates car washes in

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Consumer Stories

Evans golf course scheduled to reopen renovated clubhouse

A restaurant at a Columbia County golf course is temporarily closed due to flooding that occurred in late December, which caused hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage, according to its owner, Jason Page. Page, owner of Bartram Trail Golf Club located at 470 Bartram Trail Club Drive in Evans, said when he visited Tavern on the Trail on Christmas, he discovered water throughout the building, including the kitchen, bar, and dining area. “A pipe burst in the kitchen,” he said. Around that time, many people and businesses throughout

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Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Panda Express

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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