Consumer Stories

Consumer Stories

Mellow Mushroom set to move from longtime location

Mellow Mushroom is relocating to the old 1102 Restaurant and Bar to move their pizza ovens and seating from a block away up Broad Street. The franchisees have had the restaurant in the original gas station location since 2004. A manager at Mellow Mushroom tells ABD that the move will take place before Masters 2022 and will allow for easier access for customers for a growing part of the MM business— takeout and delivery through 3rd parties. She said the building at 1102 is not larger, but more functional. Mellow

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Consumer Stories

Two clothing retailers to share space in Martinez

Jennifer Grubbs already owns and operates two other businesses that provide wedding and event planning services, but she’s about to launch Columbia County’s only bridal boutique….with a partner and with another like-minded entrepreneur—with a different style— in the same space. Grubbs and her business partner, Jessica Baskette, will celebrate the grand opening of their new store – Lace & Veil Bridal Boutique, on Sunday, Nov. 7 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Located at 500 Furys Ferry Road, Suite 103 next door to K’s Koncepts in Martinez, Lace and Veil

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Consumer Stories

‘Divine drinking’ the way to better health, says soldier-turned-entrepreneur

Geoffery Jackson wants to leave a legacy for his children’s children. It’s a seed he says was planted one day while listening to a sermon from his pastor. “That’s something we don’t do,” he thought to himself. “Leave a legacy. But, I asked God how did that look.” He knew a troubled past of dropping out of high school, becoming a young father, enduring divorce and experiencing a series of health issues, including pre-diabetes, were not practices he wanted his children emulate. “Military for me was a way out,” he

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Consumer Stories

Real Talk Real Estate: Custom Homes Part 2

As promised from last week, I wanted to share with you what building a custom home entails. First off, you need to speak to a great lender and find out if you can qualify for construction to permanent financing. If you do not qualify, you need to know what mortgage you do qualify for. If you can do a construction to permanent mortgage then you will save money. If you can only qualify for a mortgage loan, it will cost more to build because you will be paying the expense

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Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Whiskey Bar Kitchen

Editor’s Note: Wes Hennings never met a meal he walked away from and is an opinionated eater! Each Monday 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

Local bank makes near $300,000 of donations within a few months

Because of its efforts to provide equitable health care for uninsured and underserved patients in the CSRA, Christ Community Health has received a $50,000 grant. Christ Community has been named this year’s Bank of America Neighborhood Champion. The nonprofit, which operates two clinics in downtown Augusta, will also receive virtual training on a variety of leadership topics, such as storytelling and human capital management. “We’re grateful for Bank of America’s many years of generous support for Christ Community,” says Don Branum, the organization’s chief executive officer. “This grant means more

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Consumer Stories

Ghosting makes good help even harder to find for local businesses

If you’ve ever tried online dating, you’re probably familiar with the term ghosting, but it’s becoming an increasingly common problem for employers as well. Job seekers also know about ghosting, as many employers don’t follow up with candidates after the interview. In this context, ghosting refers to job candidates failing to show up for interviews or new employees missing work without calling their employers. For Eddie and Carol Kennedy – owners of Great Deals on Furniture located at 270 Bobby Jones Expressway, Suite 148 in Martinez – ghosting has become

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Consumer Stories

Simon Says: Where have all the cowboys (and other workers) gone?

Restaurants ask for our patience because of a lack of staff. Delivery times have lengthened (remember when Amazon prime was 2 days?). The pre-pandemic peak in employment in the Augusta MSA was 246,300 and currently stands at 238,400, a loss of 7,900 jobs. In percentage terms, the loss is similar to the national data. Almost all the difference in the jobs numbers is accounted for by a smaller labor force. In Augusta, the labor force (people in work or looking for work) decreased by 3,567 to 265,381 in September. The

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Consumer Stories

Faithful business owner says “I do” to a new retail concept in the CSRA

As Jennifer Grubbs carefully places each pair of earrings in the appropriate packaging for her bride-to-be’s wedding party, she notices people slowly driving by her new location at 500 Furys Ferry Road in Martinez (Suite 103), and peering through the window. Hands on their steering wheel, they attempt, through squinted eyes, to read the signage on the door about the upcoming grand opening of Lace & Veil Bridal Boutique. “That happens all the time,” says Jennifer.  “In fact, I’ve had this building for months and kept paper on the walls

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Consumer Stories

Mondays with Rick: The JBA Vote!

Editor’s Note: Dr. Rick Franza, has a unique perspective on tomorrow’s bond referendum that would raise taxes on homeowners and business owners in Richmond County. He’s unsure if his employer, a Georgia State School will be exempt. He’s just moved to Richmond County and will face about a $30 a month increase in his property taxes. He also watches local developments in business as the dean of AU’s Hull College of Business. ABD: Rick, let’s start with you. Are you okay with swallowing $300-400 a year in extra property taxes?

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