Consumer Stories

Arielle Page hasn’t opened her dessert shop yet, but people have already stopped by to let her know they follow her on social media. This week, Page, owner of Arie’s Confectionaries, plans to open a storefront located at 1202 Town Park Lane, Suite 106 in Evans near Takosushi. She sells full-size and mini cheesecakes in various flavors, including key lime, Oreo, red velvet, and strawberry. Arie’s will also offer a flavor of the week and seasonal flavors, such as pumpkin and salted caramel apple, as well as tea, coffee, and

Sharon Caskey runs a restaurant that gives new meaning to “drive-in.” The restaurant, At Your Service Gourmet Cafe, is located inside the Jim Hudson Lexus dealership at 3410 Washington Road in Martinez. Caskey was selling cars for Jim Hudson Lexus when its General Manager, Bill Gibbs, told her they wanted to add a food concept to the new dealership and asked if she would be interested in running it. Caskey developed the concept and name, and the café opened in October 2018. If the concept sounds unusual, that’s because it

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

A growing restaurant chain plans to expand by launching new franchise locations in Augusta, possibly as early as next year, according to Julie Davis. Davis, Vice President of franchise development for Salata Salad Kitchen, said the Houston-based company already has 10 locations throughout the Atlanta area. But based on market research and Augusta’s demographics, particularly population density and income, she said the city would be an ideal place to expand its brand. Salata is currently looking for franchisees who want to open locations in this area. “We’re looking to connect