Mon, April 27, 2026

Facebook-f Youtube Instagram
Newsletter Sign up
Show Support
Menu

Consumer Stories
Consumer Stories

National publication ranks Augusta in top 10 real estate markets for 2023

2023 is expected to be a very successful year for the local housing market, according to a recent article from USA Today. The newspaper ranked the top 10 real estate markets in the U.S., and Augusta made the list, which also includes Columbia, Chattanooga, Toledo, and El Paso. “Home sales across the top 10 markets are expected to grow by 5.2 percent year over year, whereas national home sales are projected to experience a decline in sales (-14.1 percent),” the article said. “Average home prices in these markets are expected

Read More »
Josh Heath January 8, 2023 No Comments
Closings

Former Columbia County restaurateur selling business’s remaining items

An Evans eatery is officially gone, but its owner now faces the onerous task of clearing everything out of the building by the end of the month. Stay. Social Tap + Table closed its doors permanently on Friday, Dec. 30. Last month, Chief Judge James Blanchard upheld the Columbia County Commissioners’ decision to revoke the restaurant’s liquor license. Its owner, Renee Hajek, has begun selling a variety of items, such as cups and takeout containers. There were also some opened food items, such as condiments, Hajek couldn’t sell, so she

Read More »
Josh Heath January 5, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Columbia County restaurant serves unique international dishes

If you’re bored with Taco Tuesday or need a place for this weekend for a date lunch or dinner, you might want to give Latin Flavor a try. The Martinez restaurant offers a wide range of Latin American dishes. Think Mexican cuisine with a bigger selection than a traditional Mexican restaurant. Latin Flavor located at 3568 River Watch Parkway opened in August 2022 and serves a variety of dishes from Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. Their menu includes a variety of soups and salads, empanadas, and sandwiches. Maria

Read More »
Josh Heath January 5, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Oliviana’s

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 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.” Food

Read More »
Wes Hennings January 4, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Columbia County to celebrate third annual Restaurant Week

Each year, the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and the Convention & Visitors Bureau hold a week-long event to celebrate the county’s eclectic eateries that serve everything from Mexican to Mediterranean cuisine. The third annual Restaurant Week will be held Monday, Jan. 23 through Sunday, Jan. 29, and applications are now being accepted. The deadline to apply is Friday, Jan. 13. Renee Meyer Dean and her family have already signed up to participate again this year. Meyer Dean, along with her parents and sister, own Red Oak Manor, which also

Read More »
Josh Heath January 3, 2023 No Comments
Employment

Local company reps discuss pros and cons of offering remote work options

After the pandemic, some companies have required their employees to return to the office, but that hasn’t been the case at Sizemore, Inc., according to Joey Warren. Warren, the staffing agency’s senior corporate communications coordinator, said many of its employees have the option to work remotely. “We have a lot of flexibility within our company, and we’re very accommodating to people’s schedules,” he said. “We’ve been hesitant to force people to be back in the office.” Warren said he’s worked for Sizemore, which hires employees for a variety of positions,

Read More »
Josh Heath January 2, 2023 No Comments
Awards

Downtown businesses win holiday decorations contest

After all the votes were counted, Tiffinie Bleu Bridal Boutique was selected as the winner of the People’s Choice Award for her business’s window display in the fourth annual Making Spirits Bright Downtown Decor Crawl. This year, 32 businesses throughout downtown Augusta participated in the month-long event, sponsored by the Downtown Development Authority of Augusta and Augusta & Co. “I had such a fun time planning and decorating for the Décor Crawl,” said Brandy Gibson, owner of Tiffinie Bleu. “It was really nice that people appreciated it in choosing my

Read More »
Josh Heath January 2, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Army medical center plans hiring fair for medical professionals

The Eisenhower Army Medical Center is looking for a few good medical professionals. The medical center is holding a hiring fair, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., on Jan. 12 at the Double Tree Hotel, 2651 Perimeter Parkway. The Army Medical Center provides health care for soldiers and their families at Fort Gordon, as well as military retirees in the CSRA. The hospital is seeking health technicians, medical support assistants, nursing assistants, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, practical nurses (LPN), registered nurses (RN), occupational therapists, occupational therapist assistants, and physical therapist assistants. Applicants must bring

Read More »
Gary Kauffman January 2, 2023 No Comments
Closings

Columbia County eatery closes its doors

There’s another empty spot at the former Jones Creek Golf Course. After nearly eight years in business, Katerwerks Grille left its restaurant operation in the Clubhouse at Jones Creek. ABD has learned the restaurant closed in July because its owners were unable to renew their lease. Mark Herbert, who owns the Clubhouse, said he plans to move another tenant into that building, but declined to provide any further information at this time. The restaurant offered a variety of American-style menu options, including sandwiches, salads, steaks, and seafood. It was open

Read More »
Josh Heath and Gary Kauffman December 29, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Local Mexican restaurant expands with second location

A local Mexican restaurant has expanded by opening a second location in Augusta. Taqueria El Patron located near Applebee’s at 3107 Washington Road (see photo above) opened a second restaurant, Taqueria El Patron #2 at 3435 Wrightsboro Road, Suite 1130, next door to Great Chow Buffet & Grill last Wednesday, Dec. 21, according to one of its employees. “Business is slow because it just opened,” the employee said. Both locations serve a variety of dishes, including burritos, fajitas, quesadillas, and tacos. Taqueria El Patron #2 is open Monday through Wednesday

Read More »
Josh Heath December 28, 2022 No Comments
Load More