Consumer Stories

Consumer Stories

Repurposed gas station pumps out cool treats in Warrenville

Fill ‘er up takes on a whole new meaning at the former location of a Golden Pantry gas and convenience store in Warrenville. On a hot summer day, when the humidity is so thick you can cut it with a knife, Frozen Delights can probably offer instant relief. Owner, Anthony Simpkins serves 21 different flavors of a unique version of Italian shaved ice that’s straight outta Philly. He hails from the City of Brotherly Love, where the water ice confection is as popular as popsicles and ice cream cones and

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Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: O’Charley’s

Editor’s Note: Our regular lunch reviewer, Wes Hennings, is taking a few weeks of paternity leave. While we assume he is still eating something, somewhere, he won’t be writing about it while he’s off duty. Meanwhile, ABD editor, Gary Kauffman will pinch-hit with the reviews of his lunches with a colleague, as a way to advise our business community on the good, the bad, and the tasty across the CSRA. He doesn’t let the restaurant know where he is going; his opinions are his own. He grades the restaurants he

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Consumer Stories

National real estate firm to unveil newly renovated apartment complex

Next week, a national real estate investment and property management company will unveil its newly renovated apartment complex in Augusta. Broad Management Group and the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Broad on the Green located at 3122 Damascus Road on Tuesday beginning at 4 p.m. A complex employee said the units have new flooring, appliances, and countertops, among other improvements. The event will include tours, raffles, and entertainment. “We at Broad Management Group are excited about the transformation this property has undergone,” said Director

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Consumer Stories

Saving a life could be the ultimate customer service for a business

Let’s say a customer walks into your car dealership and while car shopping slumps to the ground or you’re in a meeting with 15 other business leaders, and one falls out of their chair and clutches their chest. What do you do? You could (and should) call an ambulance, but the average response time is seven minutes. From the time you call 911 until the time they arrive, it’s probably more like 10 minutes, maybe longer. Guess what? That’s too late. During cardiac arrest, brain activity stops in about four

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Consumer Stories

Pro golfers file an antitrust lawsuit against PGA, allege involvement of Augusta National, other Majors

Eleven professional golfers taking part in the LIV Golf Tournament have filed an anti-trust lawsuit against the PGA Tour. Included in the suit are allegations the PGA colluded with Augusta National to dissuade the players from joining the LIV tour. Plaintiffs in the case are Phil Mickelson, Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford, Matt Jones, Bryson DeChambeau, Abraham Ancer, Carlos Ortiz, Ian Poulter, Pat Perez, Jason Kokrak, and Peter Uihlein. In an earlier ABD story, Rick Franza, Dean of Hull College of Business at Augusta University, had predicted this could happen. “Nothing

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Consumer Stories

Checkers’ artificial intelligence drive-thru ordering system passes accuracy test

When I heard Checkers was now using an artificial intelligence-based ordering system in its drive-thru, I wondered about its accuracy, so I decided to put it to the test. The first time I visited the Wrightsboro Road location across the street from the mall, I sat in line for several minutes waiting to place my order. But the line wasn’t moving, so I became impatient and left. To be fair, I went during the lunch rush, when most fast-food drive-thru lines are wrapped around the building. When my wife, Rebecca,

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Consumer Stories

Faith Friday: Business owner trades in higher education to spread God’s love through toys

If you’ve ever driven miles and miles and fought for parking spaces at big box toy stores, only to not find what you’re looking for, then you can relate to Aubrey Hinkson’s journey. Late last year, the 33-year-old Aiken native had a conversation with her young child that would change the trajectory of her life as a professional and a mother. The bargaining chip? Classic toy royalty: A jump rope. “I told her that if she could listen to mommy, daddy, and her teachers and have a good week at

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Consumer Stories

Local workshop to help businesses find and retain quality employees

If you’ve tried offering sign-on bonuses, flexible schedules, remote work options, and other incentives, but you’re still struggling to find and retain employees, the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center may have the workshop you need. The Center’s Augusta office will offer a Recruit and Retain Employees Workshop on Thursday, September 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 2907 Professional Parkway in Augusta. The in-person workshop will cover a variety of topics, including workforce changes, effective hiring strategies, and employee retention, as well as ways to promote your

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Consumer Stories

Downtown restaurant survives Covid, revamps menu

Covid nearly forced a downtown restaurant to close its doors, which prompted its owners to make some changes. For many years, The Bee’s Knees located at 211 10th St., was a tapas bar, but it’s now a gourmet tea and coffee shop that serves vegetarian and vegan comfort foods, according to General Manager, John Porter. The eatery also sells a variety of non-food items, such as vintage vinyl records, CBD oils, and houseplants. The Bee’s Knees menu includes biscuits, burrito wraps, hummus, and baked goods. The restaurant also serves alcoholic

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Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Cheeseburger Bobby’s

Editor’s Note: Our regular lunch reviewer, Wes Hennings, is taking a few weeks of paternity leave. While we assume he is still eating something, somewhere, he won’t be writing about it while he’s off duty. Meanwhile, ABD editor, Gary Kauffman will pinch-hit with the reviews of his lunches with a colleague, as a way to advise our business community on the good, the bad, and the tasty across the CSRA. He doesn’t let the restaurant know where he is going; his opinions are his own. He grades the restaurants he

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