Restaurants/Food

Closings

Augusta Food Retailer Closes Store; Relocates HQ to Florida

It’s been a “nutty 13-year run” for the Kyzers in the CSRA. A few years ago, they moved their family to Florida’s coast just south of Savannah. Now, they’ve moved their headquarters and bakery to the beach. Watanut will still have a big presence in the CSRA. The store at 3309 Washington Road in Martinez closed on December 31, 2025. The Kyzers began their roasted nut and baked shortbread gift business on Jones Street in Augusta, moved to Walton’s Corner, and then to Washington Road.  Handmade daily to order, all

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Fat Man’s Wins Awards & Prepares for Expansion

Monday night in Atlanta, the Usry’s came home to Augusta with the Hero Award as they plan for another restaurant and event space in the CSRA. Brad Usry and his son Hav won the prestigious Hero Restaurant community service award at the Georgia Restaurant Association annual event at the Aquarium in Atlanta. The Fat Man’s Hospitality Group is made up of (2) current restaurants and an event center connected to Fat Man’s. The Usry’s competed against much larger food service operations in Georgia, like Parker’s Kitchen. Construction is underway at

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Something else “Blooming” in Martinez

The popular Blooms and Boards and More store on Furys Ferry Road has moved to Martinez with a new focus and a new name— all created by the same entrepreneur. Angie Hood just opened Angie’s Kitchen in the same plaza as Dixie Lock N Safe and Martinez Gold on Washington Road and Davis Road across from McDonald’s. It’s in the former location as Canales Deli, so the build-out was minimal. Hood is serving grab-and-go salads, sandwiches, casseroles, and sides for lunch pick up or dinner reheating, and taking some of

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Former fast-food site up for sale again

The Freddie’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers franchisee in Augusta and North Augusta is not building a third unit in the CSRA—after all. The GVL hospitality group that owns Freddie’s, just off Washington Road in West Augusta and on Martintown Road in North Augusta, was going to build on the site of the former Zaxby’s on 1725 Whiskey Road in Aiken. The 3650 square foot building sits on about a half-acre and attracts about 22,000 cars that pass by the property each day. It’s been re-listed for $1.45 million. It’s near

Read More »
Closings

BizBits

In today’s Biz Bits, ABD looks into a restaurant closing in Evans, a snack shop opening in downtown Augusta, and DoorDash helping out the hungry. Ruby Tuesday is now closed permanently in Mullins Crossing in Evans. Two North Augusta locations remain open for the casual restaurant. With 1600 reviews, Ruby Tuesday had a 4.0 rating out of 5, but many customers on Facebook wrote how the service, cleanliness, and food quality had gone down.   Pop’n Off Gourmet Popcorn and Nuts is celebrating its grand opening and celebration tomorrow afternoon,

Read More »
Consumer Stories

3 food service updates in Columbia County

The 1.75-acre former Walgreens property at Bobby Jones is in the midst of a facelift, and the general contractor is updating ABD readers on the specifics of the future Parker’s Kitchen. Clifton Construction is on board as the General Contractor on the project. Demolishment of the original 15,200 square foot building is complete, as the parking lot is getting cleared. Parkers Kitchens are typically built in the 5000-7000 square foot range, and this one is expected to be on the small side. Rob Clifton of Clifton Construction said the footprint

Read More »
Closings

Supermarket ends run in CSRA; partners with national brand

The last remaining Harveys Supermarket in Southgate Plaza will be closing in the next few weeks, as a familiar brand will take over the store’s footprint. “We can confirm that we have made the decision to divest the Harveys Supermarket to Piggly Wiggly, with projected plans to transition the store in early November, “said a media person from Southeastern Grocers Media representing Harveys. This marks a return for Piggly Wiggly in South Augusta, as there used to be a store on Deans Bridge Road. What is not known, is how many

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Restaurant Rises From the Ashes Tonight

18 months ago, Pizza Hut burned to the ground in the Augusta area. This afternoon, the restaurant re-opens with help from the community. Christine Smith from Christine’s Farm to Fork Restaurant in Edgefield reached out to ABD about today’s 4 PM Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting at the restaurant at 733 Augusta Road in Edgefield. She and the Loves of Love Family Ministry stepped in after the fire on April 24th of 2024. They raised thousands of dollars to support employees who lost their jobs. Pizza Hut moved some employees

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Selling Fun and Football at New Tavern

Mike Iezzi is proud to be a serial restaurateur, even in his 60’s. Less than a year after selling 12 CSRA Wendy’s locations, he’s at it again with two different concepts. He’s invested in and is helping to run a relaxing restaurant in North Augusta and is about to fulfill a dream— opening a sports bar with a well-stocked game room. He and three other partners are close to opening the Langley Tavern on 2549 Jefferson Davis Highway in Warrenville. It’s the land that once was a Dollar General and

Read More »
Closings

Healthy restaurant closing this month

The ownership team at SolFood restaurant in Surrey Center put their heart and soul into building a unique, wellness lunch spot for the CSRA. You can raise a glass of green juice or a plate of green goddess salmon sliders until it closes on September 26th. If restaurants are judged on how customers enjoyed the food, then SolFood was very successful in its five-year run. After 300-plus Google reviews, the café garnered an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. SolFood is open 25 hours per week for lunch

Read More »