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Consumer Stories
Consumer Stories

A new staffing company aims to ease the nursing shortage

The CSRA is experiencing a nursing shortage, thanks to the pandemic and travel nursing, according to Melinda Green. Her new medical staffing agency plans to alleviate that shortage. Green, a certified nursing assistant, and medical technician is co-owner of Essential Supplemental Staffing, which opened on April 7. The agency shares an office with Guardian Angels Care, a home health care company, at 3604 Wheeler Road, Suite A1, Augusta. Niyetroshia Anderson, the owner of Guardian Angels, also co-owns ESS. In addition to her work with the staffing agency, Green serves as

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Josh Heath April 21, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

New Aiken internet company bridging service gaps in rural areas

In a couple of weeks, there will be another choice for digital communication in Aiken and surrounding areas. Bridge Internet will be offering services in various communities including Wood Valley, Langley, Montmorenci, and Graniteville. Founder and CEO, Trip Camper has been in the communications business for more than 30 years. “The time is right, and the need is great, especially in underserved areas,” he said. “Whether consumers are using the internet for telehealth services, banking, or gaming, and businesses are hosting zoom meetings, they need high speed, reliable, affordable service

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Mitzi Oxford April 21, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Groucho’s Deli

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 April 21, 2022 No Comments
B2B Stories

Entrepreneur renovating the historic home for unique event space

If you’re looking for space with historical significance to host business meetings and other company events, James O’Neal’s got you covered. O’Neal, an Allstate Insurance agent with an office in Augusta, bought the historic Charles Hammond House, 908 West Martintown Road, North Augusta in June 2018. He plans to use the 4,200-square-foot, six-bedroom Greek Revival house, which was most likely built in the 1770s, for not only events but also Airbnb, Vrbo, and Masters housing. O’Neal has renovated several homes, which is why he decided to invest in this project.

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Josh Heath April 20, 2022 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Home ownership in CSRA varies from state to national levels

Buying a house is one of the largest purchases most people will make in their lifetime. In Georgia, 63 percent of all housing is owner-occupied; in Columbia County, it is 80 percent, and 53 percent in Richmond County. Evidence suggests that homeowners are more satisfied with their homes and neighborhoods and have more stable neighborhoods. It is therefore an interesting research question to understand the determinants of homeownership. Fortunately, Vanessa Wimberly, an undergraduate student in the Hull College of Business at Augusta University, has studied this question and presented her

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Economics Professor April 20, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Commercial cleaning companies keep covid germs at bay

Covid-19 is like a houseguest who showed up and never left. For the last two years, commercial cleaning companies have played a key role in slowing the spread of the virus in local workplaces. But long before the pandemic, these companies focused more on health than aesthetics, according to Dalton Self, Vice President of Jani-King of Augusta, and four other cities, including Savannah and Macon. According to its website, Jani-King uses hospital-grade disinfectant sprays to kill a variety of germs, including those that cause covid infections. The company, which has

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Josh Heath April 20, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Merchants Association to present funds to three local charities

Three local charities will be able to fulfill their missions a little bit better, thanks to donations from the Merchants Association of Columbia County. The Merchants Association will make check presentations to The Bridge Ministry of the CSRA and Hope Women’s Center at 6:30 p.m. on April 26, and Child Enrichment at 2:30 p.m. on April 30. The donations are made from the proceeds of two fairs, the Merchants Association hosts. Their Spring Fair 2022 takes place April 23-May 1. Child Enrichment creates, finds, and supports programs that directly improve

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Gary Kauffman April 20, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Local chocolatier making life a little sweeter for Ukrainian refugees

Like the rest of us, Bebette Smith watches the heartbreaking news coverage of Ukrainian citizens forced to flee their country. The chocolatier wanted to find a way to help these refugees, particularly those fleeing to her native country of Belgium. Smith, the owner of La Bonbonniere Authentic Belgian Chocolates, 231 Furys Ferry Road, Suite 206B in Augusta, developed a sunflower chocolate box to honor the refugees. The sunflower is Ukraine’s national flower. “I just so happened to have a sunflower mold,” Smith said. For every box a customer buys, she

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Josh Heath April 19, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Wedding cake artist delights customers with unusual flavor combinations

Kelsie Mellott, owner of Hey Honey! Cakery loves to experiment with unusual flavor combinations, such as jalapeno cheesecake, made with cheesecake filling and jalapeno jam. While that may sound strange, many of her customers have raved about the taste. “I enjoy creating different things,” Mellott said. “We sell unique cakes.” Mellott opened Hey Honey! Cakery, located in Furys Ferry Station at 229 Furys Ferry Road, Suite 129 in Martinez, on Jan. 29. But before that, she ran the business at home for eight years while also working as a stay-at-home

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Josh Heath April 19, 2022 No Comments
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