Consumer Stories

Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Knuckle Sandwiches

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

Local publisher donates $5,000 to honor late burn surgeon

A doctor giving patients his personal cell phone number may sound a little too far-fetched, but it’s something the late Dr. Fred Mullins did all the time. Jeremy Rueggeberg decided to honor the renowned burn surgeon’s legacy by donating $5,000 to the Burn Foundation of America on behalf of his business. Rueggeberg, publisher of Medical Professionals Augusta, a magazine devoted to sharing stories about top medical professionals in the CSRA, presented the check to the Foundation on March 2. Mullins, who served as Medical Director of the Joseph M. Still

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Consumer Stories

Staffing company keeps employees in the loop by giving back

Families staying at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Augusta face numerous struggles, but employees with Loop Recruiting found a way to provide those families with a little hope and encouragement. Donald King, one of the technical staffing company’s partners, said Loop employees are required to give back to the community. King, who leads nine employees on the contingent staffing team, came up with the idea to complete a monthly community service project throughout 2022. Each month, an employee on the team chooses a local nonprofit to serve, and all

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Consumer Stories

It’s baaack! Aiken’s Bacon & Brews returns after a year off because of covid

Live music, craft beer and bacon-themed food sound like a recipe for success. It certainly has worked in Aiken’s past and organizers and business sponsors are excited for the return of the 4th Annual Aiken’s Bacon and Brews. The event went dark last year because of covid. If you are in the mood for great food and music which support children and future leaders of Aiken, mark your calendar for Saturday, March 12, 5-10 p.m. at the Newberry Street Festival Center. Event Chairman, Brad Lewis thinks of this year’s celebration

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Consumer Stories

Young entrepreneur elevates his business in competitive car cosmetic market

Chandler Brewer started his car detailing business with $25 worth of products, and about six months later, he’s now living the American Dream of being a successful entrepreneur. Brewer, 22, co-founded Elevate Auto Cosmetic Lab with his fiancée, Kamalani Straus, in October. Despite his age, he’s always aspired to become a business owner. While he was still in middle school, Brewer began working with his dad on his family’s vacation rental property business in Tybee Island. Prior to launching Elevate, he also worked for Rapid Restoration Auto Lab in Evans,

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Consumer Stories

New restaurant adds a dash of heavy metal to your lunch

If you enjoy rocking out to Iron Maiden or Anthrax while you pick up your lunch, Jason and Amber Parrish have just the spot for you: Mosh Pit Eats. Located at 111 Old Evans Road, Suite D in Martinez, the family take-out restaurant offers an eclectic menu that includes sandwiches, salads, fruit bouquets and chocolate-covered strawberries while playing hard rock and heavy metal music. One of their sandwiches is called “I Love Rock n’ Roll,” inspired by Joan Jett’s classic hit. The business, which opened in November, also sells a

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Consumer Stories

Pandemic survival story

Faithful customers kept Thai Kitchen alive during pandemic The pandemic was hard on many local businesses and sadly, some didn’t survive. But others made it through that unsettled period and are still alive. Over the next several weeks, we’ll look at their stories and what made the difference for them. Despite its small footprint, a solid customer-base helped Thai Kitchen in Evans survive two years of pandemic shut downs and restrictions that closed some bigger restaurants. “We have to thank our customers,” Marasri Ortiz said. “They’re the reason we’re still

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Consumer Stories

A new business with sweet treats is coming to Washington Road

If you’re watching your calories, this might not be good news for you – a new frozen custard business is coming to Washington Road next to Krystal. Construction is underway on a new location of Whit’s Frozen Custard, a national chain with locations in 10 states, including Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and Ohio. RW Allen Construction is building the new restaurant. “It’s a five to six-month project,” said Connie Melear, chief financial officer for RW Allen. “You should see it come out of the ground very soon.” Founded in Ohio

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Consumer Stories

Class project turns into full-fledged business for local kayaking entrepreneur

Cole Watkins turned a class project into a successful kayaking business. Watkins, owner of Cole Watkins Tours, was required to create a business from the ground up for an entrepreneurship class he took at Augusta University in 2011. The class voted on the best businesses, and his business made it to the top five. Watkins received marketing and financing kits, so he decided to take a chance and officially launched the business on May 26, 2011. “I was really strapped for cash, and I only had three kayaks at the

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Consumer Stories

Faith Friday: Make-up becomes ministry for local woman who realized childhood dream

Lots of little girls are enamored by the paint their mothers put on their faces to enhance their natural beauty. A 7-year-old Curtoria Robertson knew she had to wait another nine years before she could play in palates of make-up, though. Mom’s orders. As a teenager, Robertson would visualize random women’s faces as her personal canvas to create beautiful work. While she didn’t know exactly how to channel this seemingly innate gift, she knew she had to do something. That something would be instrumental in making women feel good about

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