Restaurants/Food

B2B Stories

Helms College Students Helped Augusta National During Tournament Week

Ever wonder who makes up part of Augusta National’s culinary team during the busiest week of the year? Students from Helms College on Washington Road made the short drive each day to prepare food for the tournament. Its Augusta campus is home to the School of Hospitality, which was recently ranked among the Top 10 Culinary Schools in America by Niche.com. The college’s “education with purpose” model places students inside operating hospitality businesses as part of their curriculum — including Helms-affiliated Edgar’s Hospitality Group (EHG) venues: Edgar’s Grille, Edgar’s Bakehouse,

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B2B Stories

CSRA Caterers Master Crunch Time

Thousands of visitors from across the country and around the world are in town for the 89th Masters tournament. They are shopping with local retailers, staying in hotels and in homes that are rented out for the week. Those golf enthusiasts all have to eat somewhere, which is why restaurants are packed, and caterers are jumping to meet the demand. Fat Man’s Mill Café and Catering is swamped with catering jobs for small groups and corporate events. “We are closed for the week to focus on the Masters. For us,

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B2B Stories

Construction Almost Finished on $35 Million CSRA Development

A two-part development in the heart of North Augusta, combining new construction with historic preservation, is getting close to completion. Beacon Bluff, a mixed-use project announced in late 2023, is a 36,000-square-foot project across the street from the North Augusta Municipal Building. It is renovating a historic building that once housed a skating rink and later a carpet shop, on Georgia Ave. It also has a new building which will include retail, restaurants and professional space. “We are working on the courtyard that is between the two buildings, the rink

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B2B Stories

New Owner to Expand CSRA Coffee Shop

Cavalier’s Coffeehouse was opened four and a half years ago by founder, David Brannon during Covid. Through those tough times, the North Augusta native made it successful, becoming a stopping place for students and business folk alike. Fast forward to February 2025. As ABD has reported, Brannon, now the Director of Palmetto Peach Development, has been heading up a $35 million investment in Beacon Bluff. When it came time to turn over the reins of Cavalier’s Coffeehouse recently, he was approached by several potential buyers. “I wanted to continue the

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Consumer Stories

New Owners and New Name for Successful Coffee Shop

Three years ago, Jake and Mallory Adkison brought a taste of their New Orleans heritage to the CSRA through NOLA coffee. They loved the cold brewed concoction and shared it via a pop-up cart that rolled around Edgefield and other areas. Their business was such a hit that they opened a brick-and-mortar store six months later at Langley Plaza in the Midland Valley area of Aiken County. Will and Whitney Ray fell in love with NOLA coffee and became loyal customers. “It was a dream of ours to own a

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Awards/Celebrations

Local Fast-Casual Franchise Celebrates 4 Years with Giveaways

If you have a heart for I Heart Mac & Cheese, today may be your lucky day. The eatery at The Village at Riverwatch Center, 826 Cabela Drive is celebrating its fourth anniversary today starting at 11:00 am. If you are one of the first 25 paying customers, you’ll win a Free Grilled Cheese Sandwich once a week for a year! The Augusta location of I Heart Mac & Cheese is owned and operated by local businesswoman, Brandie Taylor, who oversees daily operations. The restaurant specializes in customizable, made-to-order macaroni and cheese bowls

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B2B Stories

Franchised Coffee stand about to open 3rd location in CSRA

A drive-thru coffee stand that was supposed to replace an iconic gas station in March 2024, is set to open sometime in May, according to local managers. The land is cleared for the newest 7 Brew Coffee stand at the corner of Walton Way Extension and Wheeler Road in West Augusta. Smith’s Chevron occupied the near one-acre lot for 37 years, before the owner retired and left travelers by the busy intersection to wonder, “What’s next?” 7 Brew will only need approximately 500 square feet for the building to allow

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Consumer Stories

Crazy for Charcuterie? New Franchise opens in Evans

It almost didn’t happen. About a week after Hurricane Helene hit, Clint and Cheryl Hardy were supposed to sign franchise papers to open a Graze Craze location at The Shoppes at Blue Ridge in Evans. “Looking around at the destruction, there was every reason not to move forward but we felt the opportunity was too good to pass up,” said Clint Hardy. Clint and Cheryl worked at SRS and in cyber security for a combined 75 years.  When Clint retired, he kept looking for something to do. Cheryl had a

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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

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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

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