Retail

Consumer Stories

Local pest control tech receives statewide recognition

A North Augusta man has been named South Carolina’s 2022 Technician of the Year by the South Carolina Pest Control Association. David Hubbard, a long-time employee of Terminix Service in North Augusta, recently received the annual statewide award. Hubbard is a veteran pest professional with a 27-year career with Terminix Service, Inc. A resident of North Augusta, Hubbard currently serves as a branch supervisor and possesses expertise in pest issues commonly found in the warm South Carolina climate. “I feel blessed for 27 years with Terminix Service,” Hubbard said. “This

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Consumer Stories

Local entrepreneur reflects on 40 years in the printing business

Printing isn’t merely about putting ink on paper; it’s about conveying messages, according to Larry Lynn. Lynn opened his printing business, Allegra, in 1983 to help his customers convey those messages. He and his wife, Rosemary, also own Image360, a sign company. The couple runs both businesses at 128 Commercial Blvd. next to the Martinez post office. Allegra and Image360 operate under Alliance Franchise Brands, LLC, and a franchisor of more than 600 printing, marketing, and sign businesses throughout North America. Besides printing and signs, their staff also designs and

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Consumer Stories

Masks are coming off at local businesses

To mask or not to mask – that is the question. Because the number of COVID-19 cases has declined in recent weeks, ABD contacted local business leaders to find out if they have relaxed or even eliminated their mask policies. When the pandemic officially hit the United States in March 2020, most grocery stores, retail shops, and restaurants required everyone, including employees, to wear a mask. While some national businesses haven’t changed their policies yet, many local businesses have. Robyn Kelley, the owner of Trendz Salon located on Riverwatch Parkway

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B2B Stories

Columbia County event shines spotlight on small businesses

An event that started as a way to get people out the house during the pandemic will continue this Saturday in Harlem. Harlem will be holding its 2nd Annual Small Business Expo from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, at the Harlem Library. The inaugural event was held last year. “During the pandemic, we wanted a way to get small businesses together and to get people out the house,” said Amber King, owner of Mama’s Sweet Spot Shoppe in Harlem and organizer of the event. Despite a windy day, the

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Consumer Stories

Faith Friday: Make-up becomes ministry for local woman who realized childhood dream

Lots of little girls are enamored by the paint their mothers put on their faces to enhance their natural beauty. A 7-year-old Curtoria Robertson knew she had to wait another nine years before she could play in palates of make-up, though. Mom’s orders. As a teenager, Robertson would visualize random women’s faces as her personal canvas to create beautiful work. While she didn’t know exactly how to channel this seemingly innate gift, she knew she had to do something. That something would be instrumental in making women feel good about

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Consumer Stories

Delta flies high with new systems and old-time service

Jason Blackburn is a third-generation owner of the Delta Pest and Termite Company headquartered in Burke County, but he’s not set in doing things the way they’ve always been done. “For the first time in 40 years, we optimized all of our routes,” he said from his spacious office on Millen Highway in Waynesboro. (see photo above) That’s not only a tall order, but a big deal since his grandfather Jimmie and grandmother Frankie founded the company in December, 1963. Frankie is alive and ensures Delta is run with the

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Consumer Stories

Evans Market accepting vendor applications, starts April 23

Andrea Fanfan looks forward to selling her Hawaiian-inspired snack bags again at this year’s Evans Market, which is now accepting 2022 vendor applications. Fanfan launched PJ’s Snacky Sack in October 2020 in honor of her now 6-year-old son PJ, who was diagnosed with autism. He helps with various tasks, such as labeling and packaging bags, while his mother bakes snacks. The mother-son team sold their treats at last year’s Market and received a positive response from the local community. “We absolutely love meeting new people and seeing all of our

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Consumer Stories

Mondays with Rick: Reasons for optimism in Augusta

ABD: Why do you sense there is reason for optimism in the Augusta business community? Rick: Take Valentine’s Day weekend for example. I tried to get dinner reservations for Friday or Saturday night at Frog Hollow Tavern to take my wife and they were booked. We went Thursday and it was still crowded. We went to Augustino’s Saturday night and they had a good crowd. ABD: You realize you only get one point from your wife for your Valentine’s efforts, not two! Rick: Laughs out loud. ABD: What other reasons

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Consumer Stories

Local pet sitters and boarders are nothing to bark about

Christine Lowe left a stressful marketing job to buy a friend’s business, and now most of her clients have four legs and fur. Lowe, owner of What the Fluff Pet Sitters of CSRA, provides pet sitting services for not only dogs and cats, but also snakes, lizards and other exotic pets. She even took care of some cockroaches one of her clients was breeding, but fortunately for her, she didn’t have to touch them. Lowe said her mother raised her and her sister to love and care for animals. “I

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Consumer Stories

North Augusta entrepreneur discovers he’s cut out to create knives

Charles Cypress enjoys turning steel into useful multipurpose tools. As the owner of Cypress Custom Knives, he creates and sells knives for a variety of purposes, such as hunting, fishing, cooking, and collecting. Cypress has a shop in his backyard and a forge near his home in North Augusta. He launched the business about four years ago following his retirement from the South Carolina Highway Patrol. “I start with designs I thought up in my head, and I draw out a knife,” Cypress said. “The forging process is putting the

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