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Consumer Stories
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
Consumer Stories

Entrepreneur pushes through pandemic to open on Wash. Rd.

The CSRA has coffee shops and it has frozen custard shops. But, so far, only one business blends them into a unique store – the newly-opened, Café Dulce on Washington Road. Café Dulce opened on Monday – several months later than anticipated because of supply chain issues – as a marriage between two franchises: Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee and Whit’s Frozen Custard. Café Dulce is located next to Krystal on Washington Road but the entrance is off Woodland Road, next to Walker Chiropractic. The business venture is something

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Story and photos by Gary Kauffman November 1, 2022 1 Comment
Consumer Stories

Augusta Entertainment Complex hires new general manager

The Augusta Entertainment Complex, which just celebrated its most profitable year ever, is now under new management. Last week, Brian Martin took over as General Manager of the AEC. In this role, he’s responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the James Brown Arena and Bell Auditorium and booking shows for both venues. Martin works for OVG360, the company that manages those venues. He served in two previous roles with the AEC: Box Office Director and Director of Event Services. Before returning to Augusta, Martin was the Assistant General Manager

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Josh Heath November 1, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Chili cook-off raises funds for Miracle Field

While it may be the off-season for baseball, SRP Park is holding a fun competition to raise funds for a worthy cause. The stadium will host the Beans & Brews Chili Cook-Off on Sunday, Nov. 13 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event will raise money for The RECing Crew, a non-profit organization that helps individuals with disabilities enjoy various athletic and leisure activities, such as baseball, basketball, karate, and bowling. In June 2021, the City of North Augusta passed a resolution to allow the organization to build a

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Josh Heath October 31, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

DOJ investigation of PGA Tour includes Augusta National

Augusta National was in the news again last week, but not in the way it would prefer. The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. Department of Justice’s antitrust division is investigating the PGA Tour for antitrust violations, and in the process has included looking into Augusta National Golf Club and the United States Golf Association (USGA). In August, 11 members of the new Saudi-backed LIV golf tour filed suit against the PGA, saying among other things that the tour had colluded with Augusta National to keep players from participating

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Gary Kauffman October 30, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Noble Jones opens for downtown lunch options

Chef J.D. Wier recently revamped his menu and began offering lunch again, and, so far, his diners have been pleased with the changes. Wier owns Noble Jones, a Southern-style eatery located at 816 Cotton Lane off Reynolds Street, the former home of the Cotton Patch. The restaurant serves a variety of sandwiches, such as chicken, pulled pork, and brisket. It also offers several types of meat dishes, including chicken wings, sausage, and baby back ribs, which, according to its menu, are only offered on Friday and Saturday. The previous menu

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Josh Heath October 30, 2022 No Comments
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