Consumer Stories

Consumer Stories

Miami connection to new Augusta restaurant

The owners of the new El Tejano Latin Cuisine Express have a connection to Miami, Florida, and are bringing bold flavors and a mashup of Latin culture. The restaurant is expected to open soon in the former I Heart Mac N Cheese at 826 Cabela Drive. The shuttered restaurant closed in the fall of 2025. Thanks to the Village at Riverwatch commercial realtor Jordan Trotter for the photo/art above and the heads up.  El Tejano fancies itself as a fast casual restaurant, and according to the JT newsletter, “promises crave-worthy

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Consumer Stories

Career Reflection: Critical and Beneficial

Publisher’s Note: My brother just retired from the car business after 40 + years. Very early in his career, he was named sales manager. He hated the administrative role, resigned, and got his sales job back. With it came his mojo!  Are you unhappy in your company role in the CSRA? You are not alone. But what should you do to feel fulfilled? Three years ago this week, I stepped down from my position as Dean of Augusta University’s (AU’s) Hull College of Business. To me, it feels like that

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Closings

Evans company closing business after almost 15 years

A business serving women is closing its ultrasound studio with enough notice to prepare its customers.  Prenatal Imaging will offer 2D & 3D/4D ultrasound technology until February 25th. Clients with appointments prior to then will be seen. Those who made appointments for after that date will have to seek another option. Their studio is at 4777 Washington Road at Halali Farm Road in Evans.  The franchisees posted this message on their Facebook page. “We are truly grateful for every client that has allowed us to be a tiny part of

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Consumer Stories

Retailer growing near Augusta Mall

Besides the Augusta Mall, there is some growth going on in the outskirts of the mall. One longtime retailer and community partner expanded efforts in that area by re-imagining some space. Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia retrofitted its 3362 Wrightsboro Road retail store to form a dedicated donation center. The next step is that Goodwill officials are scouting out a new retail spot in the same vicinity. January 29 marked the final day of retail operations. “This transition allows us to continue serving the community while we prepare for what’s next,”

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Consumer Stories

Simon Says: Augusta growing jobs at faster rate than most Georgia cities

Publisher’s Note: Last week, ABD shared details about multi-million dollar improvements coming to the Doubletree, Augusta Marriott, and a re-imagined Ramada Hotel—which is a Marriott boutique hotel. The numbers bear out how extra employees and business may be leading to the growth. Overall employment in 2025 for the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area increased by 2,900 and ended the year at 249,800. The local hospitality industry was a HUGE factor. This represents a 1.2 percent increase in employment. By contrast, US employment only increased at 0.4 percent, and Georgia employment increased

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B2B Stories

Company expands to 3rd location in time for Masters

A successful grad from the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts is adding onto her Evans brick-and-mortar bakery and her longtime location at the Augusta Market. Arie’s Artisan Cheesecake shop is moving into the former Dirty Dough cookie spot off Walton Way Extension near Wheeler Road in West Augusta. A big part of Arielle Page’s business is event catering, corporate gifts, and selling wholesale to restaurants, hotels, and coffee shops. Page worked with Jordan Trotter Commercial Real Estate, the plaza management company, and shared this statement with them.

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Consumer Stories

Why Medicare Consulting Should Be Built Into Employer Group Plans (Especially in the CSRA)

Several years ago, I was talking to a CFO of a local company that had around 250 employees and was receiving, on average, around 15-20% increases every year on their health insurance. After an audit, we discovered several fundamental improvements we could make to improve both the quality of the plans and contain costs.  One of those fundamental improvements was providing thorough Medicare consulting for both the employee and the company. Five years later, we were able to deliver on both of those goals, saving the company over half a

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B2B Stories

New restaurant aims to melt your heart

After a false start in North Augusta, the Melty’s franchise just moved into the CSRA with a focus on different cheeses on all of their sandwiches. Melty’s is now open each day at 10:30 in the Aiken Towne Park near Whiskey Road. Sandwiches start at $7 (4 cheese Grilled Cheese) to $11, and selections include Chicken, Pulled Pork, Cuban, Cheeseburger, Turkey Avocado, French Dip, BBQ Brisket, Club Sandwich, Caprese, and a patty melt. For another $5 to $8, customers receive a drink and a premium side order. S.D. Clifton Construction

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B2B Stories

New Golf Car Unveiled at PGA Show

E-Z-GO staff members are just heading back from last week’s PGA show in Orlando. They introduced a new vehicle that will be available pretty soon in the CSRA. Buyers for golf facilities and courses, golf tournament directors, and golf course owners were at the show to visit E-Z-GO’s booth and about 1,000 other exhibitors. They unveiled the 2027 E-Z-GO Liberty that is big on new features and technology. On board is the following: 10-inch ECOXGEAR infotainment touchscreen 28-inch ECOXGEAR soundbar with LED lighting, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android IntelliScreen™ speed,

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Consumer Stories

Simon Says: National study involves Augusta

Diversity has become a bit of a dirty word recently, but economic and management research suggests there are benefits to diversity in team settings. True diversity, which goes beyond race or gender, and includes diversity of skills, experience, abilities, and thought, may increase team performance. However, diversity may result in lower group cohesion and increased conflict. These conflicting benefits and costs of diversity mean that the overall relationship of diversity on team performance may be positive or negative. In a recently published paper, I and Dinesh Hasija from the Hull

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