Consumer Stories

Closings

Update on Columbia County Shopping Center

Tim Kennedy and his mother, Martha, have been in the furniture business for decades and are finally ready to retire. They’ve leased their store since 2009. “I’m 63 and my mom is 87, “said Tim from behind the counter of his 12,000 square foot Furniture Outlet space in Anderson Plaza on the Bobby Jones Expressway. He expects to liquidate his furniture by the end of the holiday season, either at the store or by wholesaling the furniture to other dealers. When the furniture is gone, leasing agents for the plaza

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B2B Stories

SRS and AI/Data projects

While the Columbia County government and taxpayers continue to argue over the pros and cons of building a data center in Appling—very quietly, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has local officials anticipating new missions at the Savannah River Site (SRS). These missions involve AI, a Data Center, and potentially big contracts for CSRA companies. By The Numbers The request is on behalf of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). SRS is one of four selected for AI (artificial intelligence) infrastructure and generation projects. There are 10 tracts, totaling 3,103

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B2B Stories

New business moving into the old Walgreens in Martinez

It may take even longer to navigate Washington Road near the Bobby Jones Expressway in a few weeks. Sewell Demolition confirms to ABD that it is when they’ll begin tearing down the 15,200 square foot Walgreen’s building. An expanding retailer will be building on the property. Columbia County Public Information Officer Cassidy Harris says Parker’s Kitchen is approved for another location here. Walgreen’s closed in February of 2025 after first opening in 2002. Parker’s Kitchen is used to working around less-than-ideal traffic situations in Columbia County. Traveling from Old Evans

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B2B Stories

The Shelf Life of Leadership – Part 2

Publisher’s Note: Dr. Franza has his clipboard and is back on the football field this week, continuing his column looking at similarities between college football coaches and your bosses in the CSRA. Is there such a thing as a shelf-life for either? How can people in leadership direct their teams long-term? Since my column last week, two more college football coaches were fired, Jay Norvell at Colorado State, and the more high-profile firing of Florida’s Billy Napier. However, neither of these firings can be characterized as “shelf-life expirations”.   Both Norvell

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B2B Stories

Onboarding CSRA new hires the right way—right away!

Companies face challenges with hiring new employees and retaining those they have. Sometimes, how an employee is brought on board can make all the difference. Employers from Child Enrichment and PC Techware were among attendees who appreciated the lessons shared by TeKay Brown-Taylor, President and CEO of Brownstone Mediation Services. It was presented by the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce at its Third Thursday event on October 16. Her topic was “Beyond the Job Posting: How to Keep Employees Engaged and Loyal.” Brown-Taylor said there are important steps that need

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Closings

Supermarket ends run in CSRA; partners with national brand

The last remaining Harveys Supermarket in Southgate Plaza will be closing in the next few weeks, as a familiar brand will take over the store’s footprint. “We can confirm that we have made the decision to divest the Harveys Supermarket to Piggly Wiggly, with projected plans to transition the store in early November, “said a media person from Southeastern Grocers Media representing Harveys. This marks a return for Piggly Wiggly in South Augusta, as there used to be a store on Deans Bridge Road. What is not known, is how many

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Consumer Stories

Restaurant Rises From the Ashes Tonight

18 months ago, Pizza Hut burned to the ground in the Augusta area. This afternoon, the restaurant re-opens with help from the community. Christine Smith from Christine’s Farm to Fork Restaurant in Edgefield reached out to ABD about today’s 4 PM Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting at the restaurant at 733 Augusta Road in Edgefield. She and the Loves of Love Family Ministry stepped in after the fire on April 24th of 2024. They raised thousands of dollars to support employees who lost their jobs. Pizza Hut moved some employees

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B2B Stories

Unique career education and training starts tomorrow!

Augusta University (AU) is beginning a series of workshops to help military veterans, active duty members, and their families understand what local programs and services are available. The program is called the Military Community Engagement Series. It starts on October 21 with the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF). The goal is to make AU a hub of information for the military community. “I have found that many times, students or the community may not venture into something that’s unknown,” Stefane Raulerson, AU’s Director of Military and Veteran

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Consumer Stories

Gaming Center to open 2nd location in Columbia County

Grand Opening festivities for Express TCG will be announced soon in a new shopping center built off I-20. Gaming enthusiasts will be able to hop on and off Exit 183 to play and shop at the Green Point Shopping Center in Harlem. Express TCG will be near Jersey Mike’s, which was the first tenant. It is the 2nd store for Express TCG for Michael King, who is a Fort Gordon veteran. The first store opened more than 4 years ago on Edgefield Road in a strip center in North Augusta,

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Consumer Stories

Sensory Santa Returns in November; medical office needs your help

Every holiday season, there’s a special kind of magic that fills our community — one made of laughter, wonder, and togetherness. But for many families who have children with sensory sensitivities or special needs, that magic can sometimes feel out of reach. The lights are too bright. The music is too loud. The lines are too long. That’s why, since 2017, we’ve opened the doors of Flack Family Chiropractic each holiday season for one of our most meaningful traditions: Sensory Santa — a free, heart-centered event designed to bring joy,

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