Consumer Stories

Consumer Stories

Business Lunch: Baldino’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

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Consumer Stories

Augusta University named one of the top employers in Georgia

Many employers claim to be the best, but not every employer is chosen by Forbes for that distinction. The magazine has unveiled its annual list of America’s Best Employers by State, and for the fourth year in a row, Augusta University, which has 6,500 employees, has been included on that list. Augusta University Health has also been selected this year. Forbes and Statista, a market research company, created the list by surveying 70,000 American workers from 25 industries. The companies examined a variety of factors, including salaries, working conditions, growth

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Consumer Stories

New pub brings a taste of Ireland to Aiken

Ireland is a small country with a big personality. Spanning generations of cultural unrest – a result of famine, oppression, civil wars, and invasions – it is surprising that the Irish collectively claim a chirpy disposition. Marty Dubber and his business partner, James Anderson, have managed to bundle a menu and the cheerful atmosphere of an authentic Irish public house, named Jameson McDubby’s, almost 4,000 miles away from the Emerald Isle, and put it right in the heart of downtown Aiken at 126 Laurens Street. Dubber grew up in Georgia,

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Consumer Stories

Texas-based salad restaurant company plans franchises in Augusta locations

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

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Consumer Stories

National soap company to open Evans location Thursday

Tomorrow’s a big day for Blake Pearce. He enjoys taking an empty storefront and watching its shelves fill up with a variety of handmade soaps. Pearce, District Manager for Buff City Soap, recently got the chance to help do that again by preparing to open a new location in Mullins Crossing at 4225-3 Washington Road in Evans. The store will celebrate its soft opening on Thursday, Sept. 8 beginning at 9 a.m. To celebrate the store’s opening, Buff City will offer a variety of promotions. For example, for each of

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Consumer Stories

Local entrepreneur launches Columbia County spiritual wellness business

Much like churches, there seems to be a CBD store on every corner. But Stephanie Carter didn’t want to open just another CBD store, so her business offers many other products and services. Carter launched Purple Bloomz located at 4158 Washington Road, Suite 3 in Evans on Friday, Aug. 12. Like other such local businesses, she offers a variety of CBD products designed to ease stress, depression, and anxiety, among other common ailments. Some products contain THC, while others don’t. One product Carter sells is THC-O, a strong THC product

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Consumer Stories

Local nonprofit launches coloring book project to help downtown businesses

Jeremy Rueggeberg has found a creative way to help businesses in downtown Augusta. Rueggeberg, the co-founder of Beautify Augusta and former publisher of Medical Professionals Augusta magazine, has developed the idea for a downtown coloring book project and is currently looking for businesses interested in participating. Beautify Augusta is a non-profit organization devoted to funding public mural projects in that part of town, such as its recent restoration of the Pink Slips building on Jones Street. The idea is to use the murals to draw more people to downtown Augusta.

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Consumer Stories

Local watersports business to host a community event on the river Sunday

Dayon Walker wants to provide a day of fun and education for the local community, which is why he’s hosting the second annual Cooler Fest on Sunday. Walker, the owner of Reserve and Ride Watersports, which offers guided jet ski tours of the Savannah River, said the all-day, family-friendly event will also include food, music, horse rides, as well as water slides. It will be held at 105 Riverfront Drive in Augusta near the Boathouse Community Center. He’s offering free entry for anyone donating book bags or fall/winter clothing, which

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Consumer Stories

Faith Friday: Full Speed Ahead in Faith: Young businessman tests his faith limits, one ride at a time

Bible stories on faith Tyrique Robinson heard about as a child, he admits, didn’t mean much. Now, as a 20-year-old father of one, businessman, and military veteran, he says his faith means everything.  After all, it is only by God’s grace that he has beaten negative statistics that often plague young, Black men. He wants to share his blessings with others through Dream Luxury Transportation & Limousine Service. “Our motto is ‘Making Dreams Come True,’” said the Augusta native. “Transportation is my skillset, and I already had a trucking company.

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Consumer Stories

Augusta home prices expected to increase next year

Patti Ellis’s husband is retiring in December, so the couple would like to sell their home and buy a smaller house in the Augusta area. But because local home prices have skyrocketed, she said every home they’ve viewed has cost much more than they want to spend. The couple currently lives in a two-story house in the Tudor Branch neighborhood in Grovetown. Ellis said they should be able to get between $450,000 and $475,000 for that home. She said they would like to sell it and make a very large

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