Consumer Stories

Consumer Stories

Local baker makes Greek desserts layered with love

Making baklava is a time-consuming process that involves buttering 60 layers of filo dough, but Thalia O’Gorman loves baking the Greek dessert. O’Gorman owns Thalia’s Baklava, which recently began leasing space in OPP Kitchen located at 359 Furys Ferry Road in Martinez. She sells seven flavors of the dessert, including traditional, chocolate, blueberry, and espresso. “It’s like apple pie; everybody who makes it has their own version of it,” said O’Gorman, a native of Connecticut. “And we all swear ours is the best.” She grew up in a Greek family

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Consumer Stories

Judge to rule on alcohol license for Columbia County business

Restaurateur, Renee Hajek (above in green, hugging supporters) will have some more time to serve beer and wine at Stay. Social, Tap & Table. That’s because Chief Superior Court Judge Jim Blanchard, Jr. will be busy reviewing hundreds of pages of letters, evidence, petitions, and a nearly one-hour video of the Oct. 4 commission meeting in which Columbia County Commissioners revoked Stay’s license. Yesterday morning, Blanchard presided over a court hearing to determine whether Stay’s alcohol license will remain in effect. On Oct. 13, Blanchard overturned the County’s decision and

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Consumer Stories

North Augusta specialty pharmacy provides IV, self-administered medications

Kimberly Thomas’s patients are often surprised they can receive IV antibiotics at home. Thomas, a registered nurse, is co-owner and operator of Vital Care Infusion Services, a specialty pharmacy, located at 1201 West Ave. in North Augusta. The business opened in January and treated its first patient in late March. Vital Care provides patients with IV medications to treat a variety of medical conditions, including Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis, as well as tube feeding services. These specialty medications are provided for patients throughout Georgia and South Carolina,

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Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Miyako

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

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Awards

Local gourmet nut entrepreneurs celebrate 10 years in business

If you’re looking for corporate gifts for your clients this holiday season, Brian and Kam Kyzer probably have just the items you need. The Kyzer’s own Watanut, a gourmet nut business, located at 3309 Washington Road in Augusta and the second store in Amelia Island, Fla. Brian Kyzer said the business, which sells nut mixes, Georgia pecans, and shortbread cookies, will celebrate its 10th anniversary with an open house on Thursday, Dec. 1, 5-9 p.m., at the Augusta store. The Kyzer’s host a large open house every year, but they

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Consumer Stories

When you’re hungry and “almost there,” a new Aiken County café can fill you up

How many times have you been on vacation, headed to the beach or the mountains from the CSRA, and the kids ask for the millionth time, are we almost there? On the edge of Aiken County, almost close enough to throw a rock to the Barnwell County line, a new restaurant has opened. If your tribe is hungry, you can stop in at Almost There Café. The building at 245 White Pond Road in Williston has been a donut shop, a chicken joint, and a mercantile over the years. Now,

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Consumer Stories

Sponsors needed for Friday’s event

In 1995, Ricky Moore led the Westside High School basketball team to victory in the Georgia High School Association’s Class AAA tournament. Moore also played for the University of Connecticut and helped the team win the national championship in 1999. He will host a tournament at his alma mater, Friday evening and wants local businesses to sponsor it. Six teams will compete in the Ricky Moore Invitational. Lucy C. Laney High School will compete against Jones County High School at 5:30 p.m., Augusta Christian Schools will take on Butler High

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Consumer Stories

Aiken Regional earns Level IV Trauma Center designation

Trauma injuries, usually from car accidents, gun and knife violence, or falls, are the leading cause of death for people under 45. Victims treated at trauma centers have a 25 percent higher survival rate compared to those seen in hospitals without those services, according to a New England Journal of Medicine study. As a newly designated Level IV Trauma Center, Aiken Regional will be prepared to provide support in those life-threatening events including evaluation, stabilization, and diagnostic capabilities. The hospital is prepared to care for patients with acute injuries, as

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Consumer Stories

Evans business owner offers better health, tastier products

Michelle Lemmons wants to help her customers drink their way to better health. Lemmons owns The Vibe Nutrition, 4446 Washington Road, Suite 6, near Shane’s Rib Shack in Evans. The retail space used to belong to another nutrition business, The Healthy Hangout, which closed permanently in the spring of 2022. She sells a variety of nutritious items, such as sugar-free energy tea bombs, protein coffee, and meal replacement shakes. Shakes, which come in several tasty flavors, including Almond Joy, German chocolate cake, and Captain Crunch, contain protein, greens, vitamins, and

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Consumer Stories

Report rates Augusta among the fattest, unhealthiest cities

This report may spur more corporate membership business for CSRA fitness centers. Ranking in the top 10 in the nation is not always a good thing. A recent report from WalletHub.com evaluated the fattest and unhealthiest cities in the nation, and Augusta came in at No. 9. Probably not surprising given its tradition of rich foods, 12 of the top 13 cities were located in the Southeast; the lone exception was McAllen, Texas, the top-rated unhealthy city. Columbia, S.C., ranked 26th. The health experts who did the ranking evaluated the

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