Consumer Stories

Consumer Stories

Bridal and formal wear shop opens in Aiken

Cheron Douglas was born and raised in Augusta but spent the past seven years fitting brides in Chattanooga. She helped with the wedding of her cousin’s son a couple of years ago in Aiken. When she came for a walk-through for his big day, Cheron knew this was where she needed to be. “Aiken felt like home. I prayed about it for two years. When Karen Daly with Meybohm found the perfect place, we opened our second location here and I couldn’t be happier,” said Douglas. That perfect place is

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Two new Olive Gardens for the CSRA

This fall, a popular Italian restaurant chain is scheduled to open a new location in an Augusta shopping center. If you love mouthwatering breadsticks and never-ending salad bowls, you are in for a treat. According to Juli Means, Marketing Director for Jordan Trotter Commercial Real Estate, Olive Garden broke ground on a restaurant at 804 Cabela Drive, near Dave & Buster’s and Costco last week. The company estimates it will open in October. There’s currently an Olive Garden located at 2736 Washington Road near the Augusta National. “The Washington Road

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Quartet serenades CSRA businesses for Valentine’s Day

You have one week to find the perfect Valentine for your employees or your special someone. Sure, you can go with traditional roses or a heart-shaped box of chocolates. There’s nothing wrong with that. But chocolates melt and roses wilt, how about a love song delivered by guys in tuxedos? Now, that’s amore and creates an unforgettable memory! Whether it’s personal or professional, those who help your business succeed and those you love, deserve a little extra attention on February 14, otherwise known as St. Valentine’s Day. The Garden City

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Chicken wings and seafood restaurant opens Evans location

A growing chain of restaurants that serves chicken wings and seafood recently opened a new location in Evans. Last month, Tasty Wings & Seafood opened the location at 301 North Belair Road near Rhinehart’s, which is the former address of Eggroll Express West. The restaurant serves a variety of meals, including not only chicken wings, but also hamburgers, chicken tenders, shrimp, and crab legs. According to its website, it serves “the original Atlanta-style wings.” Besides the Evans location, Tasty Wings & Seafood has a location in Thomson and another opening

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Business owner wants to feed you Super Bowl Sunday

A few hours before this weekend’s big game, Kurt Mueller will participate in a fundraiser for a cause that affects him on a personal level. Mueller, a certified financial planner with Apollon Wealth Management in Augusta, and his competition barbecue team, Atomic City Smokers will be at Aquinas High School from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for Smokin’ Butts for LLS on Super Bowl Sunday to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. He’s currently selling Boston butts, which will feed 12-15 people, for $50 each. His brother, Aleki Fualau, who’s

Read More »
Employment

Workforce shortage continues to plague CSRA small businesses

To alleviate the workforce shortage, many fast-food restaurants have offered new employees sign-on bonuses and higher wages, but these strategies have been largely ineffective. But fast-food chains, like McDonald’s and Wendy’s, aren’t the only companies that have struggled to find employees. Robert Kelly, Vice President of Augusta Staffing Associates, said the workforce shortage won’t be resolved overnight. The company, which hires employees for a variety of jobs, including those in the clerical, medical, and industrial fields, was one of nearly 20 local small businesses that participated in an expo as

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Evans doctor to open medical spa

Dr. Neeraja Chandrasekaran wants to help her clients improve their self-confidence by making them look and feel younger. Early next month, Chandrasekaran, a local family medicine physician, plans to launch Luna Medical Spa, which will be located inside Le’ Salon Day Spa at 807-B Oakhurst Drive in Evans. She will begin accepting clients next week. The business will offer a variety of noninvasive cosmetic services, including Botox injections, laser hair removal, and HydraFacial treatments, as well as IV hydration therapies with vitamins. “It’s where medicine meets the cosmetic world,” she

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Local business to celebrate Valentine’s Day with shopping event

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, Hannah Barrs has developed an event that incorporates shopping, mimosas, flowers, and chocolate-covered strawberries. Barrs, Marketing Director of Timms Harley-Davidson of Augusta, has planned Kickstart Your Heart, which will be held next Saturday, Feb. 11, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the dealership located at 4200 Belair Frontage Road in Augusta. The event will feature deals, such as buy two, get one free on men’s and women’s apparel, and 20 percent off all full-priced jewelry. They will also have a game that will involve guessing

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Harlem ice cream shop to host fundraiser for injured boy

Mark Whitaker’s daughter knows Justin Gilstrap, the 11-year-old Grovetown boy who was severely injured by three pit bulls last month, which is why one of his Harlem businesses is holding a fundraiser to benefit Gilstrap and his family. Whitaker owns Main Street Treats, a family ice cream shop located at 170 North Louisville St. The shop will host Scoops for Justin today from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. He said the business will donate at least 10 percent of its proceeds from that fundraiser to the family. “My daughter is

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Local real estate agent launches home organization business

If your pantry is full of outdated food, and you have clothes in your closet you haven’t worn in several years, Melissa Starrette can help. Starrette, a realtor with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Executive Partners, has officially launched a new business called Busy Bee Home Organizing, which specializes in decluttering and organizing pantries, closets, and garages. “The first battle is getting started,” she said. “The other is keeping it up with everyone’s busy schedules.” Starrette offers a free consultation to get to know her clients and assess their

Read More »