Retail

B2B Stories

Retail predictions for Halloween and Christmas

An industry group has released its predictions for retail spending through the upcoming holiday season. The National Retail Federation (NRF) is predicting a steady growth in sales through November and December. It defines the holiday season as Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, six days shorter than the 2023 holiday period. ABD sat in on a virtual briefing NRF provided for reporters on Tuesday. It included NRF President and CEO, Matthew Shay, and NRF Chief Economist, Jack Kleinhenz. NRF predicts winter holiday spending will increase between 2.5% and 3.5% over last

Dana Lynn McIntyre October 16, 2024 No Comments

B2B Stories

CSRA Western Outfitter Expands to Meet Demand

Like the tumbleweed that spreads seeds of growth, the store that bears the name recently expanded. Owner, Jessica Reeves only had to move a few doors down to 224 Park Avenue SE in Aiken to gain more space. When ABD reported on TumbleWeed’s opening two years ago, Reeves was already dreaming big and looking to grow the business by offering other products and services. When the store moved four doors down into the former location of Needlepoint Cottage, it almost tripled its space. “My husband Joel got involved in the

Mitzi Oxford September 26, 2024 No Comments

B2B Stories

New niche business spins yarn into profits

Crows are large, intelligent, all-black birds and common sights in treetops, fields, and roadsides. Now, you can see them in Augusta as the Three Crow Fibers will be cawing your name. The new business opened September 3 at 223 James Brown Boulevard and folks who love to knit or crochet couldn’t be happier. “Word spread quickly about our opening. In our first week of business, we had customers from around the CSRA and from as far as Athens and Statesboro,” explained Jeff Pullium, one of the owners. You could say

Mitzi Oxford September 23, 2024 No Comments

Consumer Stories

NA celebrates 5th anniversary for 3rd Thursday

North Augusta is growing by leaps and bounds. It seems almost weekly that ABD is bringing you stories about new businesses in the area including the latest Beacon Bluff developments. Five years ago, North Augusta Forward began Third Thursday events to highlight shopping, dining, and listening to live music locally. Today, they have more businesses to highlight. It’s been a successful venture for the organization and the businesses being promoted. Today’s Third Thursday celebrates their 5th Anniversary from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm. When you get off work, you can

Mitzi Oxford September 18, 2024 No Comments

Consumer Stories

Healthy cafe/store closing soon in Augusta

ABD has learned that both the New Life Natural Foods Store and DiChicko’s Cafe inside the store will be closing by year’s end. The cafe will stay open until the end of September and the store will shutter at the end of 2024 as the lease will expire. The self-contained vitamin, supplement, and healthy grocery store has been open in the Fairway Square Shopping Center for decades. DiChicko’s Cafe was added 17 years ago. The co-owner, who longtime customers know as simply “Heather” with her positive outlook, shared her reflections

Neil Gordon September 18, 2024 No Comments

Consumer Stories

Small business looks ahead to their bigge$t day

Summer is winding down. Good riddance to hot rubbish. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported it was one of the hottest on record. As we get further into the “ber” months, time moves even faster. CSRA businesses are gearing up for the holidays that lie ahead including Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. CSRA Chambers of Commerce and other local business organizations, including Downtown Soul City and the Aiken Downtown Development Association don’t want you to miss Small Business Saturday, on November 30th which is wedged in between Black Friday

Mitzi Oxford September 17, 2024 No Comments

Consumer Stories

Beacon Bluff development getting closer to full

Saturday marked the grand opening for the latest business to set up shop in the Beacon Bluff development underway on Georgia Avenue in North Augusta. Bowl Boss offers health and food allergy-conscious acai bowls and smoothies. Many of the items are vegan. Coffees, teas, espressos, and lattes are also on the menu. The restaurant joins Fleet Feet as one of the first businesses in the project. Owner, Vicky Mattson told ABD it is the perfect location for her business. “The connection to the Greeneway in North Augusta and with Fleet

Dana Lynn McIntyre September 8, 2024 No Comments

Consumer Stories

School to open retail shop to help cause

Despite our volatile economy, thrift stores continue to be a consistent presence in the CSRA. The latest store to open will be at 316 8th Street in downtown Augusta between Broad Street and Greene Street. The Jessye Norman School of the Arts will operate the store and use proceeds to fund its FREE afterschool program. The new store in the 1,800-square-foot building will be called Second Act and be aligned with the JNSA by offering used musical instruments, new and used art supplies, graphic t-shirts, clothes, and eclectic furniture. Meybohm

Neil Gordon August 18, 2024 No Comments

Consumer Stories

CSRA furniture store to open after big delay

ABD first told you the newest Ashley Furniture Store announced it was coming to Aiken in late January. Spring was the target date. Ashley reached ABD late yesterday to say that the grand opening is now set for August 29th at 11:00 AM. The new Ashley is moving into the former Aiken Furniture Company store and occupying more than 25,000 square feet. Ashley’s latest 7.0 store concept will be next to Target and Planet Fitness in the Aiken Exchange Plaza. Planet Fitness managers told ABD the vacant store had been

Neil Gordon August 15, 2024 No Comments

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

Neil Gordon July 31, 2024 No Comments

Retail predictions for Halloween and Christmas

CSRA Western Outfitter Expands to Meet Demand

New niche business spins yarn into profits

NA celebrates 5th anniversary for 3rd Thursday

Healthy cafe/store closing soon in Augusta

Small business looks ahead to their bigge$t day

Beacon Bluff development getting closer to full

School to open retail shop to help cause

CSRA furniture store to open after big delay

Longtime CSRA retailer closing

RECENT STORIES

Helene takes a toll on small business spending

Best of Real Talk Real Estate: Understanding Traditional Mortgage Loan Options in Georgia

Two years before a popular CSRA event venue is available

Categories