Consumer Stories

Consumer Stories

Recreation center for special needs children to celebrate grand opening

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.

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Consumer Stories

New Starbucks to open near I-20 in Martinez

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

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Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: A Town Wings

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

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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