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Consumer Stories

Evans family launches two businesses today

The wait for decades—and through Covid was worth it for Tracy Frey. She got her first taste of the food and beverage industry about 30 years ago and quickly fell in love with the fast-paced work. She served in various roles with a few local restaurants before launching a successful 20-year career in the insurance industry. She’s now returning to her roots by opening two new franchises in the same space located at 7025 Evans Town Center Blvd., Suite 213, next to Stay. Social Tap and Table in Evans. Roll

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Josh Heath March 7, 2022 1 Comment
Consumer Stories

Local investor seeks partnerships with real estate agents

A local, professional house buyer is looking for win-win relationships with real estate agents. Paul Myers, a local real estate investor and owner of Myers House Buyers, buys homes for cash. He speaks to brokerages and groups of agents about topics that bring them value on a monthly or quarterly basis. Topics range from his personal story of financial stewardship, to getting started in real estate investing, as well as professional sales training. Myers held one of these meetings in the ABD boardroom on Wednesday, March 2. About 15 real

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Josh Heath and Neil Gordon March 7, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Team bands together for opening of 22,000 square foot CSRA store

If you combine big box, DIY home improvement centers with a Tractor Supply and a soon-to-be-built Harbor Freight in Augusta… what do you get? “Northern Tool + Equipment,” said store manager Tyler Clabey (photo 3rd from left) from the spacious 22,000 square foot Augusta center on Mason McKnight Parkway on the border of Richmond and Columbia County. “We love our location—across from Camping World and next to Car Max with more development planned,” said Christian Paese, the Senior Manager of Retail Strategy, who is in from company headquarters in Minnesota

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Neil Gordon March 4, 2022 No Comments
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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Gary Kauffman March 3, 2022 No Comments
Top Story

Local vodka sellers and drinkers refuse to take shots at Russia

In some states, people are ditching their Russian vodka shots for rum or Jack, but in Georgia, its business as usual, according to employees of local bars and liquor stores. Because of Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, officials in various states, including Ohio, New Hampshire and Utah, have asked liquor stores to stop stocking Russian-made alcohol products. ABD contacted CSRA liquor stores and bars to find out if they were still selling these products. They said so far there have been no changes. An employee at Stevens Creek Wine &

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Josh Heath March 2, 2022 No Comments
B2B Stories

IRS changes reporting requirement for mobile payment apps

Mobile payment apps like CashApp and Venmo have been a boon for some small businesses, but a change in the tax law will increase the need for stricter accounting practices. In the past, a business could bring in $20,000 through an app without triggering any additional paperwork, but in 2022 the IRS has lowered that threshold to $600. Any amount of business transactions totaling more than $600 will require the app to send a 1099-K income form to the business. This includes apps that have accounts that hold money, like

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Gary Kauffman March 1, 2022 No Comments
B2B Stories

Skyrocketing fuel costs hurt local businesses

When Les Perry, General Manager of Riverside Refreshments of Augusta, takes a look at his gas prices from January 2022 compared to January 2021, he sees a staggering figure – a 65 percent increase. With more than 100 trucks on the road daily, the vending supply and beverage distributor is concerned about how much gas prices have increased and how much higher they may go as a result of the conflict in Ukraine. “There’s no question it’s affecting us,” Perry said. “All of our suppliers are facing the exact same

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Gary Kauffman February 28, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

A new business with sweet treats is coming to Washington Road

If you’re watching your calories, this might not be good news for you – a new frozen custard business is coming to Washington Road next to Krystal. Construction is underway on a new location of Whit’s Frozen Custard, a national chain with locations in 10 states, including Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and Ohio. RW Allen Construction is building the new restaurant. “It’s a five to six-month project,” said Connie Melear, chief financial officer for RW Allen. “You should see it come out of the ground very soon.” Founded in Ohio

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Josh Heath February 25, 2022 No Comments
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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Mitzi Oxford February 24, 2022 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Georgia labor market grows 2.2%, Augusta at 0.4%

The labor market in Georgia grew at a 2.2 percent annual rate in 2021 but the growth was not evenly spread around the state. Urban areas around Atlanta and coastal cities fared best. The fastest growing labor market, at 3.8 percent, was Savannah with nearby Brunswick also reporting 2.1 percent growth. Atlanta and Gainesville grew at 2.1 percent and 2.3 percent respectively. Augusta recorded growth of 0.4 percent. Two cities saw deteriorating labor markets: Albany and Columbus. Only two Metropolitan Statistical Areas beat the Georgia growth rate suggesting non-MSA areas

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Economics Professor February 23, 2022 No Comments
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