Consumer Stories

B2B Stories

Renovation and Re-Dedication

After 27+ years in business, a local company is celebrating with its clients and the entire community. The party brought together the government, business, and senior stakeholders. Brookdale North Augusta partied with the local Chamber, Mayor Briton Williams, and its residents to the tune of live entertainment, tours, food, and more. The grand re-opening and ribbon-cutting featured a lot of renovations made to the interior and exterior of the facility on 105 North Hills Drive. In addition to a fresh coat or two of paint throughout, there is new exterior

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Consumer Stories

Full-service vet clinic opens in the CSRA

Let’s face it, most of us consider our pets part of the family. Riverfront Vet opened last month in North Augusta, and they are dedicated to keeping your pet healthy and being there to guide you through emergencies. The amount of money Americans fork out each year for the care and feeding of our animal companions jumped to $151 billion in 2024. According to Pettable, that amounts to about $1,850 a year in Georgia and South Carolina. For Dr. Maria Flippo, the first doctor in her family, it’s not about the money. She knew

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B2B Stories

Local 9th grader selected as worldwide winner

A 14-year-old student at Augusta Christian School won the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s “You Made the Grade” sweepstakes, which recognizes academic excellence among military-connected students. He was selected out of 2,300 entrants. Trent Hall is the son of retired Fort Gordon veterans, Tamika and Robert Hall, who have served for a combined 42 years. He enjoys studying science, plays soccer, and aspires to become a professional soccer player. His grand prize in the form of a $2,000 Exchange gift card was presented to him during a presentation at

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Closings

Gary’s Hamburgers down to one store after 42 years

After a temporary closure this Spring and Summer and more than a dozen years in Martinez, Gary Gibson is closing his locally run restaurant due to health and staffing issues. Gary Gibson tells ABD surgeries and physical therapy have slowed him down and haven’t enabled him to recruit employees at a time when it’s harder than ever to compete with other employers, despite nearly doubling his wages in five years. “Before Covid, our starting wage was $8 per hour, and now it’s $14-15 per hour,” said Gibson. He used to

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Awards/Celebrations

Deadline tomorrow for NA Chamber Award!

The number of women-owned businesses is on the rise, here in the CSRA and across the country. Who do you know that deserves recognition? Nominate a woman for the 2025 “Woman that Empowers” Award, presented at the upcoming at the North Augusta Chamber’s Women in Business Luncheon on September 23, 2025. This annual recognition honors a woman in our community who has: Demonstrated exceptional leadership Mentored or uplifted others Contributed meaningfully to her business or community Overcame obstacles and inspired those around her   We’re asking for thoughtful nominations—not just the

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B2B Stories

Multi-million-dollar expansion “connects” CSRA county

Comcast has completed a high-speed broadband expansion in McDuffie County, Georgia, as part of its $1 billion Project UP initiative. The expansion brings multi-gigabit Internet speeds with 99.9% reliability, supporting economic growth and connectivity needs for businesses and residents. The expansion delivers high-speed Internet, mobile, and security services from Xfinity and Comcast Business. The investment is helping to close the digital divide in areas that previously may not have had access. “Reliable Internet access is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity for families, businesses, and communities to grow,” said County Chairman Chase

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Consumer Stories

New restaurant being built in Evans

A new restaurant is moving in next door to McDonald’s in front of the shopping center bordering the Riverwood Plantation subdivision in Evans. ABD confirmed with the Wendy’s district manager that the fast-food restaurant is set to open around the end of 2025. It will be the 12th location for the franchisee—and at least the second adjacent to McDonald’s. The competitors are side by side in front of the West Town Shopping Center in Martinez. 60-70 employees will open the new design Wendy’s in the center, which also features a

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B2B Stories

More flexible options available for CSRA small businesses

Two area contractors will be turning the lights on at a new office park with warehouse space in Evans. It’s part of a trend ABD found offering up more space for rent to meet the needs of growing companies. Clark Develops, LLC will be the general contractor/owner of FlexSpace of Evans, and Newsome Electrical Construction LLC (NEC) will handle the electrical work from pre- to post-construction. The land is located at 4542 Washington Road in Evans between the back of the Bojangles Restaurant and the Eagle Pointe Shopping Center. That

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B2B Stories

Simon Says: More local government jobs in June

In June, several sectors in Augusta saw some big changes – the largest being government employment, which increased by 770. State employment accounting for about a third of the increase, and local government employment accounting for the other two-thirds. Federal government was unchanged. However, state and local employment were two sectors that saw big revisions at the national level, so these local numbers could eventually come in lower. The Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) employment level remained unchanged in June at 248,100. As you will no doubt of heard from

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Consumer Stories

Buffalo Replaces Beef

Contractors were working over the weekend to get a restaurant open for the newest franchise in the Buffalo Luke’s chain. The former Cheeseburger Bobby’s location at the corner of the Bobby Jones Expressway and Rose Lane in Martinez is being re-imagined to suit the theme and colors of Luke’s brand. There are currently three other locations in Georgia, with the next two opening at the Martinez site and in Alabama. Cheeseburger Bobby’s opened nearly ten years ago when two CSRA business leaders, Randall and Reagan Williams, brought the concept to

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