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Consumer Stories
Consumer Stories

Local entrepreneurs own fun side business

Peter Alewine’s full-time job is running a local pool installation and repair company, but on Fridays, he gets to enjoy his side gig. Alewine – Manager of Pete Alewine Pool & Spa, is also co-owner of 5th Quarter Sports Cards & Memorabilia, which is located at 4490 Washington Road near Ace Hardware and Burn Boot Camp in the Lenox Plaza shopping center in Evans. The store buys, sells, and trades a wide variety of collectible baseball, football, and basketball cards. “It’s really fun to meet and talk to people of

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Josh Heath January 12, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Local credit union donates $60,000 to CSRA college

College is a major financial burden for many students, but a local credit union wants to help ease that burden for some CSRA college students. To celebrate its 60th anniversary, Peach State Federal Credit Union has pledged to donate $60,000 to Paine College over the next five years. The college plans to use the donation to fund student scholarships. With the help of matching grants from various sources, including the Methodist Foundation and the Paine College Foundation, the donation has the potential to grow to $240,000 (see photo above), according

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Josh Heath January 11, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Local company creates foundation to support nonprofits

After founding two local agencies that provide services for those with disabilities, and now running a successful private equity firm, Allan Soto (see photo above) has developed a new way to give back. Soto – Chief Executive Officer of Vinea Capital in Augusta – recently created the Vinea Foundation, which has pledged to donate $250,000 annually to local nonprofits. The foundation was created as a donor-advised fund in partnership with the Community Foundation for the CSRA. Of that amount, $100,000 will be awarded in grants to nonprofits that focus on

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Josh Heath January 10, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Mondays with Rick: 2022 economics in CSRA

Editor’s Note: ABD: I know your esteemed Economics Professor Simon Medcalfe won’t be upset that you are looking into your crystal ball! What do you see as a positive for jobs moving forward? Rick: Less people will be on the sidelines, out of work.  Last week, I participated in an economic development group. 99,000 eligible workers in our area are still taking a break from working. 2021 was closer to normal than 2020 numbers, but still muted. My prediction is because of omicron—our pandemic is more of an endemic—which had

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Neil Gordon January 10, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Real Talk Real Estate: Agents can DOUBLE their commissions!

There is a niche real estate market in the CSRA in which investors are buying up properties. In today’s “Vodcast,” publisher Neil Gordon introduces you to an investor who partners with area realtors—and puts a lot of extra money in their pockets!

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Neil Gordon January 7, 2022 No Comments
Closings

Popular Japanese steakhouse to reopen in Columbia County

A local Japanese restaurant has closed its doors in Augusta, leaving loyal customers wondering if they will ever get the chance to eat their favorite dishes again. Yosko Japanese Steakhouse (see photo above), which was located at 2825 Washington Road in the Fairway Square Shopping Center in Augusta, recently closed. But the business will soon reopen at 3118 William Few Parkway next to Rooted Coffeehouse in Evans, according to Jordan Collier, Director of Commercial Properties for Meybohm Real Estate. “I’m not 100% sure when they’ll be moving in,” says Collier.

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Josh Heath January 7, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Faith Friday: Battling the Odds through Brunch

Since being diagnosed with kidney failure four years ago, Asian Brown, founder of The Brunch House of Augusta, lives by this rule: “You never know when it will be your last day, so live every day to the fullest.” In fact, not knowing if he would live or die inspired him to open the quaint breakfast and lunch spot in downtown Augusta just under one year ago. “Faith is the ultimate reason the restaurant is prospering and successful,” said Brown. The full service eatery—in the former “Whistle Stop Café”—located at

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Monique Williams January 7, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Unique Mexican restaurant to open in Evans

The CSRA is home to many Mexican restaurants, but Abimael Lagunes wants his restaurant to stand out from the others. Lagunes plans to launch Senor Mezcal Mexican Kitchen & Cantina (see photo above) at 4534 Washington Road, Suite 10 behind Discount Tire in the Eagle Pointe Shopping Center in Evans by the third week of January. He says the restaurant will primarily serve traditional Mexican fare and a variety of mixed drinks, including margaritas, piña coladas, and daiquiris. Diners will also have the option to sample unique dishes, such as

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Josh Heath January 6, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Local foundation helps businesses make charitable donations

Libby Fennell just accepted a $500,000 donation on behalf of the Community Foundation for the CSRA, but she says businesses don’t have to donate that much to make a difference in the local community. Fennell – the Community Foundation’s Director of Development and Donor Services – received the $500,000 check from Jeff Annis, who recently sold his successful pest control company Advanced Services, after more than 40 years in the industry. The Foundation and Annis held a press conference on Wednesday, Jan. 5. “Our goal is to match people with

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Josh Heath January 6, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Ruby Tuesday

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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Wes Hennings January 6, 2022 No Comments
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