Consumer Stories

Consumer Stories

Downtown businesses to host free block party

A group of downtown business owners have teamed up to host a free block party this weekend. The 8th Street Holiday Artisan Market will be held on Friday, Dec. 10 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event will be held on 8th Street between Ellis Street and Greene Street. “Almost all the businesses on 8th Street are participating,” says Gary Dennis, Executive Director of the Jessye Norman School of the Arts, which is helping to host the event

Read More »
Restaurants/Food

$200,000 grant in place to study food access issues

A local nonprofit that strives to improve community access to fresh foods has received a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Access Problems and Solutions Founded in 2008, Augusta Locally Grown partners with CSRA farmers to provide fresh, affordable meats, fruits, vegetables, and other products to local residents, many of whom live in food deserts and lack transportation to travel to grocery stores. “In some instances, our farmers are people’s only access to fresh food,” says Rebecca van Loenen, executive director of Augusta Locally Grown. “We have to

Read More »
Consumer Stories

The Secret to Success is in the Sauce…and Faith

Have you ever prayed for something and it didn’t happen the way you wanted? But, what did manifest was better than what you inquired of God? For Donald Wesby, the answer is a resounding yes. In fact, growing up with 17 siblings, the Waynesboro native learned early in life the importance of patience and perseverance. “Your circumstances give you the strength to carry on,” says the Army veteran whose original intent was to own an eatery. But, God had other plans. “I wanted to share this wonderful taste that my

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Pros and Cons of Selling Home During Holidays!

Let’s be honest here. In the time period between Halloween and the New Year, everyone is running an emotional and stress-filled gauntlet. You’ll attend more family gatherings in these four months than you did in all of the months before. This entails cooking, planning, cleaning, and not to mention the mental preparation needed to withstand all of your deranged family members. Just days after Thanksgiving it is time to hang Christmas lights, replace your fall decorations (that you just put out) with Christmas decorations, and if you’re like most people,

Read More »
Employment

Trusting remote workers to get the job done

Like many remote workers, Craig Young enjoys the freedom that comes with working from home. Young recently started a job as Regional Vice President for FULLTHROTTLE – a Philadelphia-based advertising technology company. In this role, he and his team work remotely. “I’m very self-disciplined, so it works for me,” says Young, who lives with his wife and children in Evans (see photo above from Young’s FB page). “You really have full autonomy of your day.” He explains working remotely gives him the opportunity to help his wife with household chores

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Beamie’s at the River

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”.

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Town Creek Boutique – Now Open on Aiken’s Southside

Julie Steen has always enjoyed making things with her hands, especially jewelry. “What to do with it all,” naturally lead daydreams of opening a boutique someday, she said last week two days after she opened the front door for the world. She was born in Aiken and grew up on the Southside (graduated from South Aiken High and her undergraduate degree is from USC-Aiken) and when the “perfect location” opened up a few years ago, even though that was getting ahead of her plans, she jumped ahead and bought it.

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Local surgeon launches weight loss app

A local doctor has developed an app that takes the guesswork out of losing weight. Dr. Francisco Jacome – a bariatric surgeon with Live Healthy MD located at 3830 Washington Road, Suite 17C in Martinez, recently launched the Healclub app to help people reach their weight loss goals and enjoy better health. The app provides a variety of services, including meal planning and personal coaching, as well as customized exercise plans and psychological support. “Obesity is a growing health concern in the world with devastating consequences,” says Jacome. “Healclub offers

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Columbia County restaurants preparing for taste-testing!

Nuni Hernandez is excited about showcasing her business and meeting new customers during the second annual Columbia County Restaurant Week. The event, which is hosted by the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and the Columbia County Convention & Visitors Bureau, will be held Jan. 24-30, 2022 to promote the county’s local and regional restaurants. Hernandez – Executive Chef and Owner of The Crazy Empanada located at 3652 River Watch Parkway next to Bob’s Tropical Fish in Martinez, participated in the event in January 2021 and highly recommends it to other

Read More »
Consumer Stories

The Cookie Crumbles in the CSRA

A local family is excited to take a leap of faith in the sweets space. As Neil Gordon reports in this video, they’ll be moving into a busy shopping center in Evans.  

Read More »