Augusta Business Daily

Fri, September 22, 2023

Restaurants/Food

Consumer Stories

Supermarket phenom launches new concept in old store

When 28-year-old, Jackson Mitchell, CEO of Jackson Mitchell Holdings, sets his mind to a project, he goes big—even though he knows he can always go home. The 4th generation member of the Alabama-based Mitchell grocery empire currently operates five Little Giant Farmers Market locations in the Atlanta area. His grocery company was named Clayton County Business of the Year. The supermarket phenom chose Augusta to be the flagship store of his “Fresh Take” concept to re-imagine the traditional grocery experience, while creating 130 jobs for Augusta locals around the summer of 2024. He’ll be

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Closings

CSRA restaurant closes for now

Editor’s note: As ABD reported last week, more than 25 restaurants have closed in the past year. It’s a tough business and the reasons vary for shutting the doors. Some had been opened for a year or two, and others like Villa Europa have been serving customers for 50 years. As we reported, they will close but are looking for a new location. There is now yet another restaurant scouting for a new place to call home. Munchie’s Lab served their last meal on Friday, September 15. Their closing date

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Closings

Where have all the restaurants gone?

Editor’s note: This is the second part of stories about restaurant closings in the CSRA. Yesterday, we reported on the upcoming closing of Villa Europa which has served German and Italian cuisine to families for 50 years. Today, we delve into the “why” behind the closings. More than 25 restaurants in the CSRA have closed since this time last year. Some were popular local businesses which served the area for many years, including Betsy’s Round the Corner, DiVino Ristorante Italiano, and The Bee’s Knees. A few were franchises affiliated with

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Closings

50-year-old restaurant in the CSRA will close

Memories have been made between the walls of Villa Europa, from hosting business functions to families for weddings, birthdays, and anniversary celebrations. The stories could fill a book. Now, instead of building on those chapters after almost 50 years in business, it’s now day-by-day for the restaurant known for its German and Italian fare. The family-owned restaurant is in South Augusta at 3044 Deans Bridge Road. Despite all the happy memories, like most buildings of that era, it’s made well, but nothing lasts forever without some TLC. “It would have

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Closings

A final farewell to Steak and Shake in Columbia County

An online auction on Sept. 5 marked the final farewell to a popular restaurant on Belair Frontage Road. Vanish Auctions, a Florida-based company that specializes in online auctions, handled the sale of equipment and furniture from Steak and Shake. The auction included tables and chairs, artwork, and kitchen equipment. A viewing period was held prior to the start of the noon auction. Several people were there when the doors opened at 9 a.m. “I am looking for some things actually to build out our church kitchen and to get them

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B2B Stories

Is there “Fuse”-ion between the restaurant and a food truck?

ABD reported recently that Fuse in Aiken was closing. When Chef Chris Najmola posted on Facebook that the restaurant couldn’t go on, hundreds of loyal customers and even restaurant competitors weighed in with reactions of support. Then, two days later came this Facebook post from Fuse Mobile food truck owners: “We, Kevin and Tylené Matson, own Fuse Mobile. We will still continue business as usual. Finally, thank you all for your support, and thank you, @fuseaiken, for giving us our roots.” As it turns out, there is no connection between the

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Closings

The CSRA will be a little less sweet without Cyndi’s

Ten years ago, Cyndi’s Sweet Shoppe opened on Laurens Street in downtown, Aiken, S.C. What started out as her husband Dick’s idea for a nostalgic candy store, soon also became hers. She loved the area because they were surrounded by other wonderful shops. Social media has weighed in heavily on the fact that Cyndi’s is closing. This was her post on her Facebook page to her loyal customers. With great sadness, Cyndi’s is CLOSING, it is true. After 10 years of being in business, our landlord, the former owner of

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Closings

Steak N Shake abruptly closes; auction set for furniture/equipment

Steak N Shake, which started strongly in 2012 with a local franchisee group and 130 employees —suddenly closed last week for good, according to the franchisee and an auction house overseeing the sale of 103 pieces of furniture and equipment left behind. “I brought this to Augusta. I loved the product myself with great steakburgers and milkshakes, said franchisee, Preston Moss, who closed down the operation with partner, Andy Pye last week. He said it was time due to many economic factors and that he is busier than ever with

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Closings

Fuse restaurant fizzles out

One of the CSRA’s most popular eateries is closing. Comments have poured in on social media in the past few days. In response to inquiries, Chef Chris Najmola sent a message to customers through the Fuse Facebook page. Aiken, It has been a pleasure serving you and the team here at Fuse has so much to be proud of, but it does not look like we can keep going. There are so many things about Fuse that made it very literally, a dream come true. We’ve helped you celebrate so many

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Restaurants/Food

Best of Business Lunch Review: I ♥️ Mac and Cheese

Editor’s Note: Wes Hennings never met a meal he walked away from and is an opinionated eater! Each Thursday, he shares the results of a business lunch he’s had with a colleague as a way to advise our business community on the good, bad, and the tasty across the CSRA. He doesn’t let ABD or the restaurant know where he is going and his opinions are his own. He grades the restaurants he visits on a 1-5 scale with “5” being outstanding. We call this our “Real Business Lunch Review”.

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