Consumer Stories

B2B Stories

SafeHomes Faces Government Funding Cuts, Needs More Local Business Help

A significant decrease in federal funding could force SafeHomes of Augusta to eliminate programs and services for domestic violence victims, unless the local business community steps in to make up the difference. Aimee Hall, the organization’s Executive Director, said all state nonprofit victim services providers will endure 37 percent cuts in federal funding in October. For SafeHomes, that will mean a $173,000 decrease in funding. In the CSRA, the cuts will also affect Child Enrichment, Inc. and Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Services. “It’s important for the community to know

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Closings

Pediatric urgent care clinic to replace longtime furniture business

After more than 20 years in business, The Wicker Barn officially closed its doors on Friday, Dec. 31. But the building will soon be repurposed for a pediatric urgent care business. Wicker Barn, which was located at 3910 Washington Road in Martinez, sold a variety of indoor and outdoor wicker furniture. Glen Martin managed The Wicker Barn for many years. “We had a great customer base, and we just had a great time,” said Martin. Though the store is closed, he’s still working in The Wicker Barn warehouse selling the

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Consumer Stories

Be My Valentine: Mother-daughter team operates a laboratory of confection

Angela Foreman’s background as a chemist at the Savannah River Site might seem odd for someone who owns a sweet shop. Actually, it’s a marriage made in baking heaven. She and her daughter Hayley, who also has a background in chemistry, operate The Sugar Lab in Aiken. They opened their shop three years ago. Images of scientists, beakers, and test tubes would be a little far-fetched but there is no denying the science of baking. “I spent six months experimenting to develop the recipe for our decorated sugar cookies,” Angela

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Consumer Stories

Bank donates $25,000 to local hunger relief nonprofit

Between COVID-19 and rising food prices, the demand for Golden Harvest Food Bank’s services has skyrocketed. Bank of America has donated $25,000 to Golden Harvest, which will cover the cost of more than 75,000 meals (like these pictured above) to feed hungry families throughout Augusta’s River Region. Since the pandemic began in March 2020, the bank has donated a total of $131,000 to the nonprofit. “As the pandemic continues to impact Augusta, food banks and hunger relief organizations are experiencing increased demand and higher costs to meet the needs of

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Consumer Stories

Good Deeds: Companies helping girls for prom

Your company can help make the 2022 Prom a special day for CSRA teen girls. In today’s video minute, ABD Publisher Neil Gordon shares which companies are helping out on “Cinderella Day” and how your company can make a difference.

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Consumer Stories

New Diablo’s location opens in South Augusta

In Augusta’s River Region, you don’t have to drive far to find a Diablo’s Southwest Grill. Diablo’s opened a new location at 3597 Peach Orchard Road on the corner of Tobacco Road, near Sparkle Express Car Wash, on Monday, Feb. 7 (see photo above story). Other locations include Mullins Colony Drive in Evans, Wheeler Road in Augusta and Gateway Boulevard in Grovetown. The restaurant serves a variety of southwestern fare, such as tacos, burritos, quesadillas and salads. Diablo’s gives customers their choice of meat, rice, beans and toppings. “This makes

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Consumer Stories

Mondays with Rick: AU is #1 in the U.S.!

Editor’s Note: As ABD first reported on Friday, the AU Hull College of Business is ranked #1 in the U.S. for top online MBA Programs with the lowest tuition rates by the College Consensus Group, a source that aggregates information from U.S. World News and Report,  Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek and other reliable sources. Our conversation was edited for clarity and impact. ABD: What was your reaction when you heard the news? Rick: I had not heard of College Consensus before, but upon research, really liked the methodology they used. It’s

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Consumer Stories

Faith Friday: Gunshot victim experiences God’s healing and heals others

People develop their personal faith journey in different ways. Some experience triumph that solidifies belief in self, in others and in a higher power. Others survive a gunshot wound to the head. That’s Christina Riley’s testimony. It was 2009. She was 19. She was hit by a .22 bullet, a wound from which she still has fragments throughout her face, head, jaw, neck and shoulders. However, she lived to tell the tale of how God spared her life so she could help others heal theirs. “I lost vision in my

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Consumer Stories

Local business owners support Girl Scout Cookie sales

If you look forward to ordering boxes of Thin Mints and Samoas every year, you’re not alone. Several CSRA businesses have offered to give local Girl Scouts the opportunity to sell cookies in their parking lots (see photo above story). Savannah Park, a State Farm Insurance agent in Columbia County, will allow them to set up tables outside her office, located at 3961 Columbia Road in Martinez, next to Mot’s Pit Cooked Barbecue. She can be reached at 706-863-3555. “I was a Girl Scout when I was younger,” Park said.

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Consumer Stories

Real Talk Real Estate: Keep it simple!

Recently, on CNN news, they stated that due to median house prices rising and lack of inventory, households earning between $75,000 – $100,000 per year only had an average of one affordable house to choose from for every 65 listings. This is a national average, but feels pretty accurate here in the Augusta area. The competition is extreme. If you are a buyer, always put your best offer forward. There are things that a seasoned agent will avoid accepting on offers. Here are a few tips that will make your

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