Consumer Stories

Consumer Stories

Real Talk Real Estate: It’s Going To Be a Long WINTER

It is official, Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow and we are looking down the scope of what is expected to be a long winter in the CSRA. Unfortunately for us, this rings true for real estate as well. I know we all hoped for a reprieve from the crazy market, but today’s statistics continue to be heavy-handed against buyers. The first big hit was an interest rate hike for the VA and FHA loan products. We are seeing these rates starting to hit over 4%. I have compiled a

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Consumer Stories

Evans shopping center almost fully leased

Two large retailers are opening new locations in the Mullins Colony Shopping Center, near Belk in Evans. Brazilian Wax and Spa by Claudia (see photo above story) offers a variety of services, including waxing, facials, and Botox treatments. Founded in Charleston in 2007 by Claudia Rissardi, Brazilian Wax and Spa has more than 20 locations in four states: Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, and Pennsylvania. According to the company’s website, the company will soon add more locations, including one in Charlotte. Augusta already has one location at 2907 Washington Road in

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Consumer Stories

FAITH FRIDAY: The Proof (and Faith) is in the Cheesecake

Arielle Page puts the “small” in small business. Her homemade cheesecake pastries are primarily online/pick-up only right now. However, that is slowly changing. Since August of 2020, when Arie’s Confectionaries officially began operating as a business, the pastry chef’s sweets have been making their presence–and taste–known. While she’s the sole baker, her mom helps when it’s time to do a pop-up shop or a farmers’ market. “We offer a variety of cheesecake flavors!” she exclaims. “What makes this company unique is that we provide mini, assorted cheesecakes. Customers are able

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Consumer Stories

New restaurant to open at site of old problem

The intersection of Washington Road near the Bobby Jones Expressway can be bumper-to-bumper, especially around lunch or dinnertime. Publisher Neil Gordon says a new restaurant is going to take a chance that traffic won’t keep customers away.

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Consumer Stories

Wild Wing to return to Augusta/Grovetown

ABD’s learned that a deal is in place for a developer and franchisee to build a two-story Wild Wing near restaurant row on Washington Road—not far from the Masters and another one in fast-growing Grovetown. “There will be a rooftop bar along with a music patio upstairs and downstairs along with an airstream bar and a sunken fire pit,” said Wild Wing CEO, Steve Weigle via phone from headquarters in Charlotte. He said the restaurants will be ready sometime after the Masters in late 2022, but he expects to do

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Consumer Stories

New Tex-Mex restaurant to take on competitors in Augusta

You’re probably familiar with Moe’s, Chipotle, and Diablo’s, but a new Tex-Mex restaurant is coming to Augusta. Surcheros Fresh Mex will be located at 2907 Washington Road in Washington Crossing, a shopping center that already includes Bonefish Grill, Half-Moon Outfitters, and The Joint Chiropractic. Surcheros serves a variety of dishes, such as tacos, burritos, bowls, and salads (see photo above story). The restaurant’s menu even includes a dessert called s’mores quesadilla, which is made with a tortilla, s’mores filling, Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup, and powdered sugar. Like other Tex-Mex chains, Surcheros

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Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: McAlister’s Deli via DoorDash

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 the 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”.

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Consumer Stories

Home-based vegan bakery opens in Evans

Kim Schortinghuis’s passion for baking vegan desserts was born out of necessity. Schortinghuis’ 3-year-old son Camden, suffers from severe allergies to both eggs and dairy products, so she needed a way to serve him treats that don’t include those ingredients. “I couldn’t get him a cake pop from Starbucks or cupcakes from a bakery,” says Schortinghuis. “I began reevaluating food in general.” Using her experience baking for him, she launched her own vegan and allergy-friendly bakery, The Vegan Turtle, on Sunday, Jan. 30 and quickly received her first order for

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Consumer Stories

SIMON SAYS: Poor job outlook in the CSRA

Editor’s Note: Despite hearing companies are willing to hire, the numbers in the CSRA don’t bear that out. Since June, the local economy has struggled to add jobs. With fewer job openings the outlook, at least in terms of overall employment, for the beginning of 2022 isn’t any better. The A.U. and ABD economist, Dr. Simon Medcalfe shares the numbers with some perspective on outside influences. Job openings in Georgia fell by 8.0% to 379,000 and by 6.6% to 170,000 in South Carolina in November 2021 according to data just

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Consumer Stories

Aiken couple celebrates anniversary of their sweet business

Valentine’s Day is less than two weeks away. What are you planning for your sweetheart? Some say it with flowers, others with candy. If you are thinking sweet stuff, Aikenites swear by Cyndi’s Sweet Shoppe. Today begins their 10th year in business. That’s when Dick and Cindy Rudisill opened their downtown shop in Aiken. Business has been booming ever since. Dick worked in the food and grocery industry. Cindy was in the medical field. The Syracuse, New York natives fell in love with Aiken. “Dick suggested opening a candy store

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