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Consumer Stories

Grand Re-Opening of 34,000 square foot Walmart Completes Remodel of Martinez Store

The next time you walk into a neighborhood Walmart, you might think it’s brand new. In reality, five CSRA locations are undergoing major renovations. The first one completed is here at 3851 Martinez to Locks Rd in Evans. ABD first told you about the updates and improvements in progress with THIS story in late summer. Friday was the grand re-opening. Highlights include brand-new concrete floors and a revamped pharmacy with a wellness room, which includes a space for medical testing and treatments. Wellness rooms are being introduced in Walmart stores

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Consumer Stories

6 months later; new tenant moves into Chick-fil-A

It didn’t take long for one CSRA business to turn an existing drive-thru into one for a totally different use. ABD’s learned that an expanding financial institution will retrofit the former chicken restaurant at Walton’s Corner on 202 Robert C. Daniel Parkway. By the time Chase Bank opens this location, it will be the fourth one in the CSRA. ABD first told you about Chase’s first brick-and-mortar in the Washington Walk shopping center at the corner of Alexander Drive and Washington Road. Here is our initial story from May 15th,

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Closings

Update on Columbia County Shopping Center

Tim Kennedy and his mother, Martha, have been in the furniture business for decades and are finally ready to retire. They’ve leased their store since 2009. “I’m 63 and my mom is 87, “said Tim from behind the counter of his 12,000 square foot Furniture Outlet space in Anderson Plaza on the Bobby Jones Expressway. He expects to liquidate his furniture by the end of the holiday season, either at the store or by wholesaling the furniture to other dealers. When the furniture is gone, leasing agents for the plaza

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B2B Stories

New business moving into the old Walgreens in Martinez

It may take even longer to navigate Washington Road near the Bobby Jones Expressway in a few weeks. Sewell Demolition confirms to ABD that it is when they’ll begin tearing down the 15,200 square foot Walgreen’s building. An expanding retailer will be building on the property. Columbia County Public Information Officer Cassidy Harris says Parker’s Kitchen is approved for another location here. Walgreen’s closed in February of 2025 after first opening in 2002. Parker’s Kitchen is used to working around less-than-ideal traffic situations in Columbia County. Traveling from Old Evans

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Closings

Supermarket ends run in CSRA; partners with national brand

The last remaining Harveys Supermarket in Southgate Plaza will be closing in the next few weeks, as a familiar brand will take over the store’s footprint. “We can confirm that we have made the decision to divest the Harveys Supermarket to Piggly Wiggly, with projected plans to transition the store in early November, “said a media person from Southeastern Grocers Media representing Harveys. This marks a return for Piggly Wiggly in South Augusta, as there used to be a store on Deans Bridge Road. What is not known, is how many

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B2B Stories

Simon Says: Augusta growing economy over last 5 years

Publisher’s Note: One of the impacts of the government shutdown is that the Bureau of Labor Statistics has not released any economic data this month. It is only scheduled to release the Consumer Price Index on October 24th to meet statutory deadlines necessary to ensure timely payment of social security benefits. That didn’t stop AU/ABD Economist, Dr. Simon Medcalfe from digging into other numbers. Other economic data is available from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, although this is based on a range of government data and is unlikely to

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Consumer Stories

Restaurant Rises From the Ashes Tonight

18 months ago, Pizza Hut burned to the ground in the Augusta area. This afternoon, the restaurant re-opens with help from the community. Christine Smith from Christine’s Farm to Fork Restaurant in Edgefield reached out to ABD about today’s 4 PM Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting at the restaurant at 733 Augusta Road in Edgefield. She and the Loves of Love Family Ministry stepped in after the fire on April 24th of 2024. They raised thousands of dollars to support employees who lost their jobs. Pizza Hut moved some employees

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Consumer Stories

Gaming Center to open 2nd location in Columbia County

Grand Opening festivities for Express TCG will be announced soon in a new shopping center built off I-20. Gaming enthusiasts will be able to hop on and off Exit 183 to play and shop at the Green Point Shopping Center in Harlem. Express TCG will be near Jersey Mike’s, which was the first tenant. It is the 2nd store for Express TCG for Michael King, who is a Fort Gordon veteran. The first store opened more than 4 years ago on Edgefield Road in a strip center in North Augusta,

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B2B Stories

Tonight’s Unique Business Event

Businesses that are members of the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce are invited to stop by the organization’s Third Thursday booth on October 16. North Augusta Forward stages its Third Thursday event each month. It is designed to highlight the unique local businesses in the city. This month, the chamber will partner with SRS Community Reuse Organization (SRSCRO) for a member mixer, pop-up shop, and speed networking to help members understand and access, benefits they have through the chamber. “A lot of times they are so active in their business,

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B2B Stories

Pet-focused business adds new service to fill need

Paws in Paradise finished a major expansion in 2023 to reach about 200 boarding rooms at its complex on Evans to Locks Road. Now, the boarding facility is reimagining its space to add a wellness center to provide most veterinary services. “We are not a pet hospital, but a boarding facility able to provide services similar to a veterinary office (vaccines, bloodwork, urinalysis, laser therapy, x-rays, ultrasounds, minor surgeries such as dental cleanings, end-of-life care), as well as intermediary services between regular veterinary office and pet hospital (such as triage

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