Consumer Stories

B2B Stories

New chicken concept delayed until mid-August

Slim Chickens serves up a variety of familiar and unique chicken dishes. Slim Chickens originally hoped to open in May and now the launch has been moved to mid-August, while the operating partner continues to seek the best talent in the market to help run the restaurant. Jim Bennett, who is the principal of Peachtree Development and the franchisee of Slim Chickens tells ABD he feels the job market is getting better— thanks to decisions like Wednesdays by Georgia Governor Kemp to end federal pandemic unemployment benefits as of June

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Consumer Stories

Local medical group helps business leaders get to the heart of the matter

The Augusta University Health Imaging Center performs a variety of diagnostic procedures, including calcium scoring testing for heart disease. The center is located at 3722 Wheeler Road. (Photo courtesy of AU Health Imaging Center) Jim is lucky to be alive today, but he credits a simple test with saving his life. Unlike many heart disease patients, Jim, a semi-retired attorney who asked us not to use his last name, was a gym rat who worked out with a personal trainer twice a day and had an impeccable diet. But due

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Consumer Stories

Longtime hospital employee starts boutique for colleagues and working women

“Doctor in Me offers a variety of colorful and traditional scrubs in different sizes. (Photo from The Doctor In Me Facebook) Shalimar Anderson is taking what she’s seen and worn in the Operating Room and at home—and offering it up to other hard-working females. Anderson opened “The Doctor In Me” in the high traffic shopping center on 280 South Belair Road next to the Neighborhood Wal-Mart. “I wanted to open the store because I wanted to provide a “one-stop-shop” for the working woman who wears scrubs on a daily basis,”

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Consumer Stories

Lunch Restaurant Review: Your Pie is good food but not the best for biz

Planning a business lunch? Wondering where to take your client? Our ABD Business Lunch Restaurant Reviews offer honest insights on where you should and should not go for lunch. Reviews are based on our 5-star rating system, with one being poor and five being excellent. Bon Appétit! Your Pie Food Quality: 5 Service: 5 Business: Meeting 3 Value: 4 Average Score: 4.25 of 5 When I first heard the concept of Your Pie, I thought it was genius. I tried it in Athens and thoroughly enjoyed it. If you haven’t been, think Subway

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Consumer Stories

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Nobody’s shooting at you.

Editor’s Note: If you are one of the many in the CSRA who say “Happy Memorial Day”, just know I don’t mean to offend you with what I say or the content I am providing for you on this special day. Yes, as families we often grill out, go to the lake, swim, and have fun. It usually does end up as a happy day. When you say “Happy Memorial Day”, please know there are so many in our area who have an AWFUL day. Their loved ones were fallen

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Consumer Stories

Local Hospice partners with businesses to provide dying wishes

Affinis Hospice has set up a number of fishing trips for dying patients and their families. (Photo by Affinis Hospice) Most people have heard of the Make a Wish Foundation that grants wishes for critically ill children but few have heard about a local hospice that grants wishes for their patients. Affinis Hospice located in Augusta has developed its own “Wishes” program for their dying patients. Recently a patient expressed the desire to go saltwater fishing with his family as his final wish. Jessica Hanson, volunteer coordinator for Affinis Hospice

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Consumer Stories

SURPRISE! A CSRA student-athlete just got a big check from a business

Brian Graham, chief executive officer of the Greater Augusta Sports Council, presents Edmund Burke Academy graduate Morgan Clark with a $1,000 check. (Photo by Josh Heath) Imagine being surprised with a $1,000 check. That’s exactly what happened to Morgan Clark – a 2021 graduate of Edmund Burke Academy in Waynesboro – who was presented with a scholarship at the school on Wednesday, May 26 from the Greater Augusta Sports Council, thanks to a generous donation from Augusta Coca-Cola. “I was completely surprised,” she says after receiving the check from Brian

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B2B Stories

How we can help the CSRA hospitality industry in need

The Gary’s Hamburgers in West Augusta is being forced to close weekdays at 3pm for now. (Photo courtesy of Facebook) Editor’s Note: On Tuesday morning the Starbucks Coffee Shop on Washington Road at I-20 CLOSED because there was not enough staff to service guests. They re-opened Wednesday morning after locating workers. On the same day, one of the Gary’s Hamburgers had to close at 3 pm—the stories go on and on.  As part of our weekly strategic alliance with AU’s Hull College of Business, we asked associate professor Marsha Loda

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Consumer Stories

Augusta Regional Airport taking flight with event and overall growth

Augusta Regional Airport is hosting a free flight program in private planes on May 29th through a partnership with Owens Aircraft Services and The Brock Foundation. (Photo provided by ARA) This Saturday a local company and a foundation are providing area students a chance to take to the friendly skies at no cost. Augusta Regional Airport has partnered with Owens Aircraft Services, LLC. and The Brock Foundation, Inc. to provide local youth an opportunity to take a flight over the CSRA! “We are appreciative of the generosity of Owens Aircraft

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Consumer Stories

Hawaiian family overcomes disability to share sweet success in the CSRA

The snack packs come in a variety of sweet and spicy flavors, and the prices vary depending on size. (Photo courtesy of Andrea Fanfan) For many young children, life revolves around playing games, going to school, and drinking Capri Sun. But five-year-old PJ Fanfan of Evans is already well on his way to becoming an entrepreneur, despite his autism diagnosis. Fanfan helps his mother, Andrea, run PJ’s Snacky Sack, which sells a variety of Hawaiian-inspired snack food bags at various locations throughout Columbia County. “It’s been great,” says Andrea. “We

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