Consumer Stories

Consumer Stories

Neighborhood store thrives during stormy weather

Helen Story lives 10 minutes away from Furys Ferry Hardware and appreciates the extra service from staff members like Mya Jackson—especially on the eve of last week’s snowstorm. “I bought poinsettias for a birthday gift,” said the Marietta, Georgia native. “The people are so helpful and the store is always so clean,” she added. May’s been on the team since the build-out started in May 2024. Houston Maund (pictured in center), Mya, and Ken help a customer with a special order. Longtime family friends, Maund and Charles Cates opened Furys

Read More »
Residential Real Estate

Best of Real Talk Real Estate: CSRA Real Estate Market Update: What’s Happening in Augusta and Surrounding Areas?

Editor’s Note: As we are winding down a new month in a new year, it seemed a great time to recap what has happened and what is on the horizon for the CSRA real estate market. If you’re following the real estate market in Augusta, GA, you know it’s been an eventful year. From shifting demand to fluctuating interest rates, buyers and sellers alike are navigating a changing landscape. Here’s a snapshot of the latest trends, insights, and what I expect to see as we move toward the end of

Read More »
Closings

Munchie’s Snacks Closes but New Plans are Already Underway

Munchie’s Snacks replaced an ice cream shop on 3830 Washington Road in the West Town Shopping Center in December 2023. Two days ago, they announced their closing on social media. Dear friends…with a heavy heart, we announce the immediate closing of our beloved establishment. This decision was not made lightly, and it comes with a profound sense of gratitude for the incredible journey we have shared with each of you. From the very beginning, our mission was to create a space where community, creativity, and passion could thrive. Thanks to

Read More »
Awards/Celebrations

CSRA Chamber Celebrates 20th Year

The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce will host its 20th Anniversary Celebration Banquet & Awards Ceremony on Thursday, February 6, 2025, from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the Columbia County Exhibition Center in Grovetown, Georgia. The evening will begin with a silent auction, followed by a catered dinner, live music, and a special presentation. During the ceremony, the Chamber will recognize outstanding local businesses and individuals through the presentation of its prestigious Annual Awards. Categories include the Leadership Columbia County Award, Ambassador of the Year, Volunteer of the Year,

Read More »
B2B Stories

Different Way to Access Health Care

The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce kicked off its 2025 Third Thursday series with a look at a different option for receiving health care. Dr. Rob Lamberts of Welcome Health presented Cut Costs, Not Care, a way individuals can access healthcare, and business owners can provide benefits to employees. Lamberts leads an Augusta area medical practice that provides what is called Direct Primary Care (DPC). It is a membership-based alternative payment model that uses a flat, monthly, or annual fee to access unlimited primary care and preventive services. “There are

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Coffee/Sandwich Shop Ready for Burgeoning Burke County Business

In one of the 13 original Georgia counties, once a prime cotton-producing area, a new coffee shop and eatery has opened that pays tribute to that past. Located five miles north of the county seat of Waynesboro in Keysville, High Cotton Coffee opened its doors on January 9. If you need a caffeine fix or a breakfast sandwich on the way to work towards Augusta or elsewhere in the CSRA, they are on the main drag at 3049 Highway 25 North. “It started with a love of coffee and my

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Best of Real Talk Real Estate: Unlocking Real Estate Secrets: 3 Top Googled Questions Answered

We all do it, take all our questions about real estate to the infamous Google! Initially, they mostly revolve around the same topic everyone is curious about: “When is the housing market going to crash?” Frankly, I’m a bit tired of that one, so let’s talk about a few other commonly searched questions. Can You Sell a Property After Probate? This is a common question, but not one many people are familiar with. Probate is the legal process of settling a deceased person’s assets and debts. Depending on whether there’s

Read More »
B2B Stories

An Assist After Helene Results in $10k Donation

After Hurricane Helene, hundreds of Dominion Energy linemen across the country ended up in the CSRA to restore power. They got a helping hand from the University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA). Dominion Energy was grateful and presented a check to them this week for $10,000. In the wake of the hurricane, USCA played a crucial role by providing housing and assistance to hundreds of Dominion Energy frontline workers who had traveled from across the country—ranging from Texas to Illinois and Iowa. These workers were essential in restoring power to

Read More »
B2B Stories

Governor Kemp outlines priorities for the 2025 Legislative Session

The 2025 legislative session is underway in Georgia and Gov. Brian Kemp (R) has laid out his agenda for business and education. Speaking at the annual Eggs and Issues Breakfast, sponsored by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Kemp pointed to policies that have the state ranked number one for business, according to a news release from his office. Kemp referred to the more than 193,000 jobs created in the last five years, along with $90 billion in private investments, thanks to the partnership with the state Chamber, as well as

Read More »
Closings

Award-winning downtown retailer set to close

After six years of bringing clean beauty to Augusta, FIELD Botanicals will permanently close its storefront on Saturday, February 15, 2025. This decision comes after careful consideration and reflects the challenges that small businesses face today. “Since our opening in 2018, the retail landscape has evolved dramatically, making it increasingly difficult for small, independent businesses to compete with industry giants and shifting consumer trends,” said Jennifer Tinsley, founder of FIELD Botanicals. “Despite our best efforts to adapt, we have made the difficult decision to close the store. This decision reflects

Read More »