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Consumer Stories
Consumer Stories

From high-level US security to pet security

It’s been an interesting journey for Lisa Benefiel. She served 25 years in government intelligence with the National Security Agency. Now, she provides security for pets. “I enjoyed my work with the NSA but in the past few years, I realized one thing that made my soul happy was taking care of my animals,” Benefiel explained. She was three years short of full retirement when she and her husband decided to move from Tampa to Aiken. “With no income at that point, I figured if I needed to go back

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Mitzi Oxford January 24, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Local real estate broker raises funds for heart disease research

When Nancy Powell’s mother had open-heart surgery at age 50, she wasn’t expected to live much longer, but thanks to advances in heart disease research, she’s feeling much better at 75. That’s why Powell, a local real estate broker and owner of Powell & Associates Inc., is actively raising funds for the American Heart Association. She will serve as the auction chair for this year’s Heart Ball, which will be held on Friday, Feb. 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Augusta Marriott in downtown Augusta. The event

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Josh Heath January 23, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Local businesses continue to raise funds for injured Columbia County boy

The family of Justin Gilstrap has already received more than $2,700 in donations, thanks to a team of local businesses. But the fundraiser isn’t over yet, according to Michelle Finn, co-owner of Sol Himalayan Salt Cave & Spa in Evans. On Thursday, Sol and several other businesses, including The Herbal Soap Co. and The Salty Beaver Fine Bath Products, held a fundraiser for the 11-year-old boy, who has undergone multiple surgeries after being attacked by pit bulls earlier this month. Finn said the family visited Sol to pick up the

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Josh Heath January 23, 2023 No Comments
Medical

Free presentations help navigate Medicare

Trying to sort through the avalanche of commercials, direct mail, and social media advertisements for Medicare can be more complicated than driving through Atlanta rush hour traffic. That’s why Russell Turner founded Navigating My Medicare. “I hear it every single day from callers who say they need help navigating the system for doctors, medications, and to find the right plan based on their health and financial needs,” Turner explained. Many of those calls come from business owners. Turner says the best plan for a 65+ business owner will depend on

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Mitzi Oxford January 22, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Local restaurant to host golf tournament fundraiser

A local restaurant is hosting a golf tournament to raise funds for two non-profit organizations. TBonz Steakhouse, which has locations in both Augusta and Evans, will host the Tommy-Fry Classic Par 3 Tournament on Tuesday, Feb. 7 beginning at 12 noon at Forest Hills Golf Club. The restaurant’s goal is to raise $25,000, according to its co-owner, Henry Scheer. “That’s not realistic, but we’re never realistic around here,” Scheer said. “We just aim for the sky, and whatever we get is good.” Those nonprofits which will benefit from the tournament

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Josh Heath January 22, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Food truck owner to bring unique pizza concept to the CSRA

Eli Andrews is about to introduce the CSRA to a unique pizza concept you won’t find at Pizza Hut or Domino’s. Andrews will launch a Kono Pizza food truck on Friday, Jan. 27 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Crawford Creek neighborhood in Evans. Unlike traditional slices, Kono’s pizza is served in a cone imported from Italy, which is where he discovered it. “You hold it like an ice cream cone,” he said. “Everybody thinks it’s a unique idea.” Andrews said the cones are much less messy to

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Josh Heath January 19, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Augusta butcher shop expands to Columbia County

Jack Deese has wanted to expand his business to Columbia County for years, but he finally has the opportunity. Deese, the owner of The New York Butcher Shoppe located at 465 Highland Ave. in Surrey Center, is about to open a new location at 4446 Washington Road, Unit 18 across the street from the Evans Walmart. The store will be between Charro’s restaurant and American Family Insurance in the Shoppes at Camelot. He’s not quite sure when the store will be ready to open, but he’s currently shooting for February

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Josh Heath January 18, 2023 1 Comment
Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: The Purple Hull

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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Wes Hennings January 18, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Build-for-rent communities offer new opportunities for investors

The number of people wanting to rent homes is growing, yet real estate investors hoping to cash in on that trend are finding a tight market for homes available to turn into rental properties. But Auben real estate agent, Phuong Nguyen says there is a solution – Build-for-Rent homes. He and Auben are currently working on several such developments in the CSRA. The Build-for-Rent (BFR) homes are typically single-family houses or townhomes clustered in a community setting, often with yards and garages. “It’s the same concept as an apartment complex

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Gary Kauffman January 18, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Local Hospital offers hefty nurse sign-on bonuses

As ABD has previously reported, there is a nursing shortage in the CSRA and across the country which was amplified by the pandemic. Also in today’s economic update, Simon Medcalfe reports that Augusta has seen a drop in employment levels for health services which remain below pre-pandemic levels. Across the river, Aiken Regional Medical Centers is being proactive in reversing that trend by offering a sign-on bonus of up to $25,000 for qualified nurses. They have scheduled job fairs throughout 2023 focusing on positions in nursing and support services. The

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Mitzi Oxford January 17, 2023 No Comments
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