Sports / Entertainment

Consumer Stories

It’s baaack! Aiken’s Bacon & Brews returns after a year off because of covid

Live music, craft beer and bacon-themed food sound like a recipe for success. It certainly has worked in Aiken’s past and organizers and business sponsors are excited for the return of the 4th Annual Aiken’s Bacon and Brews. The event went dark last year because of covid. If you are in the mood for great food and music which support children and future leaders of Aiken, mark your calendar for Saturday, March 12, 5-10 p.m. at the Newberry Street Festival Center. Event Chairman, Brad Lewis thinks of this year’s celebration

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Consumer Stories

Class project turns into full-fledged business for local kayaking entrepreneur

Cole Watkins turned a class project into a successful kayaking business. Watkins, owner of Cole Watkins Tours, was required to create a business from the ground up for an entrepreneurship class he took at Augusta University in 2011. The class voted on the best businesses, and his business made it to the top five. Watkins received marketing and financing kits, so he decided to take a chance and officially launched the business on May 26, 2011. “I was really strapped for cash, and I only had three kayaks at the

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Consumer Stories

New entertainment venue hopes to be #1 in U.S.

Vibes & Vines Jazz Lounge in Beech Island may just be the place to Take Five if you are In a Sentimental Mood. Vibes & Vines is relatively new to the Augusta-area dining and music scene, having opened in December, 2021 at 4659 Jefferson Highway. But it’s a great choice if you are looking to dress up for a night out, listen to cool jazz and enjoy some good food. Owners Tongi Bartlett and Darnell Holston met through family and friends because of similar interests. She worked in the medical

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Consumer Stories

Local axe-throwing entrepreneurs chop their way to success

When you visit downtown Augusta on a Friday night, you probably swing by your favorite restaurant or bar to relax and unwind, but Vinnie Ingallinera and Jason Laclair offer a unique alternative to the traditional night on the town. Ingallinera and Laclair, owners of Broad Axe Throwing located at 1025 Broad St., celebrated their grand re-opening on Friday, Feb. 18, and about 110 people attended. Hosting a re-opening party implies the business was previously closed, but it wasn’t. Instead, the pair wanted to recognize its official transformation from Source Code

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Consumer Stories

Businesses bringing a bit of New Orleans to the CSRA

If you are looking to celebrate Mardi Gras, Aiken is the place to be this weekend. Saturday, February 12, the Aiken Downtown Development Association is offering Cajun cuisine, craft beer, live music, and a parade. Can you say Laissez les bons temps rouler? In New Orleans, Mardi Gras is celebrated between February 23 and March 1. Aiken provides a jump start for revelers and businesses with their event this weekend. Aren’t we all from New Orleans during Mardi Gras? After the past year, shouldn’t we all find a reason to

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Consumer Stories

Simon Says: Economists and big sporting events!

There has been much discussion about the NFL overtime rules after Kansas City beat Buffalo with a touchdown in the first drive of overtime. Buffalo’s offense did not even get on the field to try and respond. It seems unfair to me. Soccer tried the equivalent overtime rule in the 1994 World Cup. If teams were tied at full time, there was a period of extra time and the first team to score won. At least each team was on the field and could score. This golden goal rule has

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Consumer Stories

Masters media biz

It’s almost tournament time, and one area media company is stepping up their business efforts to generate interest in the Masters. Publisher Neil Gordon has more on the changing “landscape.”

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Consumer Stories

Sports training company coming to Evans

A national baseball and softball training company is launching a new franchise in Evans (see photo above story). D-BAT, which is expected to open by the end of February, will be located at 705 North Belair Road near Roots Produce. The franchise will be owned by Corey and Kim Carpenter, and Bryce and Riki Massey. Corey played wide receiver for the Georgia Bulldogs, while Bryce played baseball for Augusta University and now serves as a teacher, athletic director, and coach with the Columbia County School System. The 20,000-square-foot facility will

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Sports / Entertainment

Media Company develops “Master”ful business plan

If you are counting down the days until the Masters tees off on April 4, you’ll be happy to know about the Going for the Green newsletter, which features in-depth coverage and exclusive stories about the “unlike any other” tournament. But wait, it gets better. The weekly e-newsletter is being produced by John Boyette, who knows a thing or two because he’s seen a thing or two at Augusta National. Boyette, a longtime sports editor for the Augusta Chronicle and now Executive Editor of the Aiken Standard, has been covering

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