Consumer Stories

Consumer Stories

Family opens CSRA fitness business this Friday

It’s not a stretch. A husband and wife team with strong medical backgrounds, plan to open six locations of StretchLab in Georgia, with the first opening this weekend in Evans. Located at 620 Mullins Colony in the same shopping center as Belks, the new studio will introduce people of all ages and fitness levels to the various health and wellness benefits of working with highly trained Flexologists™ in an open, modern, environment. StretchLab Evans is owned by husband-and-wife duo, Pat and Shirley Wulf, franchisees with first-hand experience in the life-changing

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B2B Stories

Simon Says: 3-year high—CSRA jobs update

The national unemployment rate in June hit 4.1%. While still historically low, it represents the first time in 30 months that the unemployment rate exceeded 4.0%, going back to November 2021. In the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has also risen recently. It hit 4.0% in June, up 0.4 percentage points since March. The last time the unemployment rate was 4.0% was three years ago in June 2021 (see graph below). Across the counties of the MSA, unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) have increased quite dramatically

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B2B Stories

CSRA business owner going for gold in Paris

The eyes of the world are on Paris as athletes from around the globe are competing in the 2024 Olympics. Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky have already won an unprecedented number of gold medals, but an Aikenite will soon be giving her all to represent the CSRA and the USA. When the lights dim on August 11 after the Olympics closing ceremony, the spotlight will turn to the Paralympics which begins August 28 through September 8. That is when you can cheer for Ellen Geddes. She grew up in Aiken’s

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Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Augsburg Haus

Food Quality: 5 Service: 4 Business Meeting: 4 Value: 4 Overall Rating: 4.25 out of 5 I tried German food for the first time in 2021, when my wife, Rebecca, and I ate at Hofbrauhaus in Helen. I’ve always been a picky eater, so sampling new foods isn’t something I do all the time, but Rebecca assured me I would like it. As usual, she was right. We had been wanting to eat at Augsburg Haus at 4460 Washington Road next door to Smallcakes Cupcakery in Liberty Square in Evans

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Consumer Stories

Jones Creek Golf Course to Re-Open

Publisher’s Note: ABD received the Thursday morning edition of Jones Creek News and is publishing it in its entirety. It was provided by Tripp Nanney of the Jones Creek HOA. The golf course has been closed since September 2018 due to an unresolved lawsuit against Columbia County, concerning stormwater runoff that flooded parts of the course. Bond Global of Aiken developed a relationship with Jones Creek and opened a driving range in April 2023. This relationship is continuing in a big way. Tripp’s Tidbits – Jones Creek Golf Course Update

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Closings

Longtime CSRA retailer closing

The sporadic going out of business sale continues Friday for a 50-year-old company in Martinez. Furniture Rentals was open for their sale on Tuesday and will re-open on Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at its Washington Road location. A Furniture Rentals employee would not allow photos of the showroom of used furniture and accessories, but did provide information. He told ABD the owner has been in the building since 1985 and will continue their liquidation until a new tenant for the large storefronts is leased. The employee said

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B2B Stories

Speedy Networking + Pop Up Shops

The North Augusta Chamber of Commerce has a unique event coming up on August 15. It kicks off at 4:30 pm with Speed Networking. What is that? It’s like speed dating, but without the dating. Attendees will be able to meet a lot of people in a short amount of time. How it works: Attendees will have the chance to connect with 20 professionals in an hour! Every two minutes, you will be introduced to a fellow Chamber member and share your name, business, elevator pitch, target audience, and preferred

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Consumer Stories

New office furniture/design firm moves into iconic Augusta building

Visitors to the 17-floor building at 699 Broad Street will notice a few changes in the future. The AU building will be renamed Wellstar Tower, and people will be able to enjoy Edgar’s Above Broad, the Pinnacle Club and now visit a new showroom filled with desks, chairs, and many workplace solutions. Young Office, a 70-year-old company just moved into a 2,500 square foot space on the 1st floor. “The ground floor of the building is really ideal for retail or other businesses that have walk-in traffic,” said Derek May, President

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B2B Stories

Established dentist branches into a different healthcare arena

With two thriving dental practices in the CSRA, one in Thomson and the other in Harlem, you’d think that would be enough to keep you running. For Quynh Spicer, it does, but caring for the community means addressing other needs. Seven years ago, she and her husband and fellow dentist, Charles Spicer, took over Thomson Family Dental. Two years later, they opened Harlem Family Dental. In January, they bought into a successful home health franchise in Augusta, Home Instead. “My family owned three home healthcare franchises in Texas, so the

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