Retail

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

Read More »
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

Read More »
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

Read More »
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

Read More »
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

Read More »
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

Read More »
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

Read More »
B2B Stories

Speedy Networking + Pop Up Shops

The North Augusta Chamber of Commerce has a unique event coming up on August 15. It kicks off at 4:30 pm with Speed Networking. What is that? It’s like speed dating, but without the dating. Attendees will be able to meet a lot of people in a short amount of time. How it works: Attendees will have the chance to connect with 20 professionals in an hour! Every two minutes, you will be introduced to a fellow Chamber member and share your name, business, elevator pitch, target audience, and preferred

Read More »
B2B Stories

CSRA registers ringing with back-to-school sales

The back-to-school and college season is an important time for retailers and families buying a list of needed school supplies. In Aiken, most of that shopping was done earlier this summer, as classes began July 22. Richmond County elementary students report on August 5 followed by middle, high school, and magnet programs beginning the following day. Columbia County schools start August 5. So, there are still a few days left to get those last-minute supplies. According to a survey from the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights and Analytics, families

Read More »
B2B Stories

South Carolina farm “grows” into the CSRA

What started as a produce stand 10 years ago in North, South Carolina, grew into one of the largest farms in the state. With 70 acres of produce including corn, okra, green beans, peas, squash, cucumbers, peppers, and watermelons, McCurley Farms is a hot commodity, especially at this time of year when families crave fresh fruits and veggies. Customers were already coming from across the CSRA and from as far away as Atlanta. When ABD talked to owner, Paul McCurley back in April, he had just partnered with Southern Carolina

Read More »