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Consumer Stories
Consumer Stories

AU Health finally gets the green light to build Columbia County hospital

Between 2010 and 2020, Columbia County’s population grew by more than 25 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Despite this growth, the county still doesn’t have its hospital. The closest hospital is Doctor’s Hospital, which depending on where you live in the county could mean a half-hour drive. But that won’t be the case much longer. Augusta University Health System CEO, Katrina Keefer said she and her staff are currently in the design phase for a new five-floor, 100-bed hospital in Grovetown. It will be located just off Exit

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Josh Heath March 22, 2022 1 Comment
B2B Stories

Big career changes are icing on the cake for the See family

Susan See was a practicing attorney with Fletcher, Harley, and Fletcher for 25 years. Her husband, James, worked for Rainbow Homes for 35 years. They gave it all up to bake cakes. Two years ago, they opened Nothing Bundt Cakes in Evans. Just over a week ago the doors opened at their second franchise in Aiken. It’s been a sweet transition for both, and cakes are flying off the shelves at both locations. “A friend told me about Nothing Bundt Cakes because she knew of my love for entertaining,” Susan

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Mitzi Oxford March 22, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

New business spreads Aloha in the CSRA

The translation of aloha is “the breath of life.” That’s really what Stacey Bulfinch-Idica’s business is all about. Bulfinch-Idica recently opened the doors of Aloha Aesthetics but her company is way more than Botox and beauty. Aloha can mean hello or goodbye, but it also means spreading love and fellowship. “I fell in love with helping people feel better about themselves,” she said. “My business is not about plastics. I believe angels sent me to make a difference.” Aloha Aesthetics offers Botox, micro-needling, PDO thread lifts, and IV hydration. Big,

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Mitzi Oxford March 18, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Faith Friday: ‘Faith Over Fear’ more than a saying for a local dentist

Reclined in the dentist’s chair, bib and safety glasses in place, and the sound of Christian music playing above might drown out the noise of a drill in your mouth. If you’re a patient at North Augusta Dental Care, then Brooke Usry, DMD, might also hum along, singing a lyric or two while she works. Her dental practice unashamedly boasts Christian values and vibes from the time you enter to the time you exit. “My mission is to influence patients through Christ and dentistry,” said Usry, who purchased the practice,

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Monique Williams March 18, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Real Talk Real Estate: Selling a Home with Pets

I hope that we all share the love of a beloved pet or two. I can admit I am fully pet-crazed and love my fur babies like they are my children. My friends affectionately refer to me as the crazy cat lady! When I am helping buyers and sellers, pets often take center stage with needs. Those who have pets want to buy a home with a fenced yard for the dogs or a screened porch for the cats. If you are a seller, you are concerned with what you

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Shawna Woodward, Re/Max Reinvented Evans March 18, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Masks are coming off at local businesses

To mask or not to mask – that is the question. Because the number of COVID-19 cases has declined in recent weeks, ABD contacted local business leaders to find out if they have relaxed or even eliminated their mask policies. When the pandemic officially hit the United States in March 2020, most grocery stores, retail shops, and restaurants required everyone, including employees, to wear a mask. While some national businesses haven’t changed their policies yet, many local businesses have. Robyn Kelley, the owner of Trendz Salon located on Riverwatch Parkway

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Josh Heath March 17, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

CSRA company makes it to Elite 8 in Manufacturing Madness contest

March is not just for college basketball’s big dance. Another contest recognizes the Coolest Thing Made in South Carolina and Generac has made the cut to advance to the Top 8. Nominations and popular votes were cast back in February. The competition was fierce with several CSRA companies in the running, including Bridgestone, Shaw, Zeus, and Huggies. Generac’s Guardian Home Backup Generator, made in Trenton, now faces competitors from across the state like Lockheed Martin’s F-16, Scout boats, Electrolux Refrigerators, and Honda Talon ATVs. While there’s no doubt that F-16s

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Mitzi Oxford March 17, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Boll Weevil

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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Wes Hennings March 17, 2022 No Comments
B2B Stories

Location for Wild Wing Cafe return to Augusta is approved

Dozens of wing sauces and live music will be making a wild comeback in the Garden City soon. On March 7th, the planning commission recommended the rezoning of the two single-family homes—which sit less than a half-mile from the entrance to the Village at Riverwatch shopping center anchored by Costco. Late Tuesday afternoon, City of Augusta commissioners approved the rezoning of 1046 and 1050 Alexander Drive to make way for the return of the Wild Wing Cafe franchise to Augusta. The prototype Wild Wing Cafe two-story restaurant and bar will

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Neil Gordon March 16, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Longtime nonprofit gets a new look

When you hear the name Golden Harvest Food Bank, you may think of food donations, volunteers, and feeding hungry families, but Amy Breitmann and the Board of Directors want the brand to reflect the organization’s mission both now and in the future. Breitmann, Golden Harvest’s President and CEO, unveiled the nonprofit’s new brand on Tuesday, March 15 in its Augusta warehouse located at 3310 Commerce Drive. She and her team worked with Wier / Stewart, a local advertising and marketing firm, to develop the rebranding campaign. Wier / Stewart created

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Josh Heath March 16, 2022 No Comments
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