Consumer Stories

Consumer Stories

Businesses help local nonprofits collect school supplies for students in need

When local schools start in less than a month, students will have the supplies they need, thanks to a CSRA nonprofit and its business partners. This month, the United Way of the CSRA will hold its annual Stuff the Bus campaign, sponsored by several companies, including SRP Federal Credit Union, Solvay Specialty Polymers, and WOW! Internet, Cable & Phone. “Our goal is to maximize student learning this year and every year, and we’re proud to step in once again to help families in need,” said United Way President and CEO,

Read More »
Consumer Stories

A busy business owners’ best friend?

Running a business is sometimes stressful and time-consuming. Downtime, otherwise, known as R and R is a valuable commodity. When you are facing a long Honey-Do list on your weekend time off, who are you going to call? Perhaps, Mr. Fix It, Dominick Cottone. He provides Aiken and surrounding areas with an extensive list of services that reads like the yellow pages, including electrical work, plumbing projects, painting, and automotive work. “In the past couple of months since I started my business, I’ve installed ceiling fans, repaired garbage disposals, faucets,

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Local businessman brings old items back to life

If you’re looking for a hard-to-find VHS tape of your favorite horror movie or a classic 1980’s toy, Angel Zapata probably has you covered. Zapata owns Dead Media Collectibles, a packed 500-square-foot business located at 2128 Central Ave. in the heart of Summerville. He sells a variety of items, such as DVDs, toys, comic books, and other collector’s items he buys exclusively from local customers, flea markets, and estate sales. Prior to opening his shop at the end of 2017, Zapata sold items at the Barnyard Flea Market in Augusta

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Monterrey Mexican

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

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Texas-based roofing company expands with a second location in Augusta

Local attorney, Charles Rollins (pictured above) and his family, live in a 100-year-old house on Kings Way in Augusta. When two hailstorms earlier this year caused substantial damage to their home, carport, and shed, Rollins hired a roofing expert to repair the damage. On May 6, a storm dropped golf ball-sized hail on homes throughout the CSRA, including his historic house. He said the insurance company’s initial damage estimate was $25,000, but he thinks that amount will be closer to $40,000. “It punched holes through nine windows and scared my

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Fireworks entrepreneur launches Augusta store

Brent Munnerlyn has opened a new fireworks store with a familiar name, just in time to help you light up the night sky for your July 4 celebrations. Munnerlyn recently opened Joe Dirt Fireworks located at 1090 Claussen Road near River Watch Parkway and next door to Candlewood Suites Augusta. Joe Dirt was a 2001 comedy starring David Spade. The 5,000-square-foot store sells a variety of products, including sparklers, Roman candles, and artillery shells. “We are excited about this location and how visible it is from I-20,” he said. “Our

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Augusta shopping center gains three new tenants

A local shopping center is gaining three unique businesses, according to Jordan Trotter Commercial Real Estate. Furys Ferry Station at 229 Furys Ferry Road is already home to many retail businesses, such as Fleet Feet Augusta, San Jose Mexican Grocery, and La Bonbonniere. Two new businesses are coming to the center soon: Wine & Design and Lux Beauty Lounge. The Curiosity Cottage is already open. Wine & Design, a North Carolina-based company, hosts paint classes for many occasions, including baby showers, birthday parties, and team-building activities. Stores allow customers to

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Faith Friday: It’s all faith, no strings attached for violinist JaVonne Jones

The hymn writer penned part of the lyric in the song, Amazing Grace, that says, “…how sweet the sound.” When JaVonne Jones takes to the strings of her electric violin, that is all anyone hears: sweet sounds. But the former public school educator wasn’t always making music. She says fear held her back. In 2020, though, at the height of the global pandemic, she resigned and decided to take a leap of faith. No strings attached. “Faith is knowing it’s going to happen even though you have no clue how

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Business Lunch: Dave and Buster’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

Read More »