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Consumer Stories
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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Gary Kauffman November 6, 2022 No Comments
Awards

Local business leaders selected for state honor

William Easterlin III is one of several CSRA business leaders selected for a major honor by Georgia Trend Magazine. Easterlin, President, and CEO of Queensborough National Bank & Trust Co., a role he has held since 1994, has been profiled in the magazine’s premiere edition of Georgia 500: The State’s Most Influential Leaders, which was just published. The edition lists a variety of leaders from across the state, including CEOs, doctors, educators, and economic developers. The magazine placed them in various categories, such as Real Estate, Healthcare and Arts, and

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Josh Heath November 6, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Bell Auditorium to undergo major renovations starting in spring 2023

By May 2024, the Bell Auditorium will look significantly different than it does today, according to Project Executive Consultant, HB Brantley. Brantley said the nearly 2,700-seat venue will undergo major renovations that are currently scheduled to begin in April 2023. He said the plan is to close the Bell from July 2023 to May 2024 to complete the project, which will include adding a two-story, 5,000-square-foot grand hall/promenade; demolishing and rebuilding the venue’s dressing rooms; installing a fire sprinkler system; and updating the existing green room. Brantley said the Augusta-Richmond

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Josh Heath November 6, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Custom golf cart business to launch in Evans

If you’ve ever wanted to build your own custom golf cart, you’re in luck. Kart King, LLC located at 4158 Washington Road, Suite 11 next door to Just Beds in the Park Place 2 shopping center, is scheduled to open around Nov. 16, according to its owner, Barry Hall. Besides golf carts, the new store will offer a variety of accessories, such as LED lights, custom tires, and sound bars. But Hall said what makes Kart King unique is customers can choose their carts’ body styles, colors, and other features.

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Josh Heath November 3, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Faith Friday: Local pastor raises the roof through faithful business venture

What might convince a 51-year-old female pastor and divorced mother of two children with no roofing experience to purchase a roofing company? God said so. That’s Shirley Holston’s testimony as the new owner of Vertex Roofing, 4715 Augusta Road, in Beech Island, SC. Vertex provides roofing services for new and existing homes. The company also does small repairs and fencing. Holston purchased it from the previous owner who had operated it for decades and says in addition to the services provided, it’s the service to mankind that keeps it, and

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Monique Williams November 3, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

New staffing agency seeks to remove barriers to employment

Lack of transportation prevents many from getting or keeping a job. But a new non-profit staffing agency in Augusta has eliminated that barrier to employment for its workers. First Step Staffing, which is located at 1765 Broad St. in the Salvation Army’s First Stop Center, opened its doors on Monday, Oct. 3. The agency primarily provides staffing services for entry-level light-industrial and warehouse jobs, according to its Chief Mission Officer, Kellie Brownlow. “These are jobs that people with barriers to employment can succeed in right away,” Brownlow said. She said

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Josh Heath November 2, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Remodeled Chick-fil-A re-opens today on Washington Road

New and much bigger than before, Chick-fil-A at 3066 Washington Road will re-open for business this morning. The Chick-fil-A location had been closed for remodeling since April. A First Bite Ceremony takes place at 9:30 a.m. and the restaurant officially opens at 10:30 a.m. “Chick-fil-A is synonymous with quality, so it’s important to ensure that our restaurant is a modern, efficient and hospitable destination for our guests,” said John Powell, the franchise operator with more than 20 years of experience. “We want our guests to have a great experience that

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Gary Kauffman November 2, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Frog and the Hen

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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Wes Hennings November 2, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Evans entrepreneur empowers people, helps them create do-it-yourself wooden crafts

Christina Purkapile often reassures her customers that even if they’ve never picked up a tool in their lives, they can still create their own wooden crafts. Purkapile owns Nailed It DIY Studio Evans located at 7025 Evans Town Center Blvd., Suite 217 near Stay. Social Tap & Table. She launched the business on Friday, Oct. 7. Purkapile compares her business to Build-A-Bear Workshop, except it uses wood. She gives her customers all the materials and helps when they need to complete custom wood projects, such as signs. Many are initially

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Story and photos by Josh Heath November 2, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Local business owners donate funds for Hull Business College scholarship

Future business students at Augusta University have some additional scholarship opportunities, thanks to a donation from two former students and long-time business owners. Local entrepreneurs, Brad and Paige Usry recently donated $100,000 to support student scholarships at AU’s James M. Hull College of Business. “First of all, we are thankful that we have the resources that we can do this,” said Brad Usry, a third-generation business owner who earned his business management degree in 1982 from Augusta College, a legacy school of Augusta University. “Secondly, Augusta University is such a

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Gary Kauffman November 1, 2022 No Comments
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