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Consumer Stories

Local businesses continue to raise funds for injured Columbia County boy

The family of Justin Gilstrap has already received more than $2,700 in donations, thanks to a team of local businesses. But the fundraiser isn’t over yet, according to Michelle Finn, co-owner of Sol Himalayan Salt Cave & Spa in Evans. On Thursday, Sol and several other businesses, including The Herbal Soap Co. and The Salty Beaver Fine Bath Products, held a fundraiser for the 11-year-old boy, who has undergone multiple surgeries after being attacked by pit bulls earlier this month. Finn said the family visited Sol to pick up the

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Josh Heath January 23, 2023 No Comments
Education

ABD to tour Savannah JA Discovery Center

Many wonder why schools don’t teach financial literacy and practical job skills, but starting this fall, local middle school students will get to learn these skills and more, thanks to a non-profit organization. In March 2022, ABD brought you the story of plans to build a Junior Achievement Discovery Center at the Columbia County School District Support Complex on River Watch Parkway in Evans this fall. The center will be the result of a partnership between Junior Achievement of Georgia, the Columbia County School District, and Richmond County School System.

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Josh Heath January 22, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Augusta butcher shop expands to Columbia County

Jack Deese has wanted to expand his business to Columbia County for years, but he finally has the opportunity. Deese, the owner of The New York Butcher Shoppe located at 465 Highland Ave. in Surrey Center, is about to open a new location at 4446 Washington Road, Unit 18 across the street from the Evans Walmart. The store will be between Charro’s restaurant and American Family Insurance in the Shoppes at Camelot. He’s not quite sure when the store will be ready to open, but he’s currently shooting for February

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Josh Heath January 18, 2023 1 Comment
Consumer Stories

Local businesses team up to raise funds for injured boy

When Michelle Finn saw photos of 11-year-old Justin Gilstrap’s horrific injuries the Columbia County boy suffered after being attacked by pit bulls, the Evans business owner knew she had to help his family. Finn and her husband, Dan, own Sol Himalayan Salt Cave & Spa located at 7013 Town Center Blvd., Suite 201, which will host a fundraiser for Justin and his family tomorrow, beginning at 10 a.m. Finn said Sol will donate 100 percent of the proceeds it receives for its services throughout the day. When she shared the

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Josh Heath January 17, 2023 No Comments
B2B Stories

CSRA Auto Group to buy another dealership

The Gerald Jones Auto Group drives a hard bargain when it comes to fellow car dealers. For the third time in the last seven years, owner Andy Jones is going on a shopping spree for dealerships. ABD has learned a deal is being finalized for the Auto Group to close on the purchase of another dealership in the next 30-45 days. In early 2016, the Gerald Jones Auto Group Ford purchased Bobby Jones Ford Lincoln from the heirs of former owner, Frank Lawrence. It continues to operate on Wrightsboro Road

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Photos and Story by Neil Gordon January 16, 2023 No Comments
Closings

North Augusta pizzeria shuts down the ovens and closes the doors

Just a month ago, ABD featured the story of Doughboy’s NY Style Pizzeria as free access to our readers. They were struggling and we thought it might help. It was one of our #1 read stories, but as it turned out their challenges were insurmountable. This was their post on social media over the weekend: “I type this with tears in my eyes, but Doughboy’s will no longer be open! At least not in that location. Maybe down the road in a better location. Obviously, not being open means no

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Mitzi Oxford January 15, 2023 No Comments
B2B Stories

New partnership expands services and resources for Alison South Marketing

Alison South Marketing Group has expanded digital and operational resources through its new relationship with Xiingo.com, based in Ontario, Canada, with offices in Houston, Texas. Xiingo.com partners have assumed ownership of Alison South which will remain based in Aiken and Augusta, with offices in Chattanooga and Fort Lauderdale, will continue operating under its current name. Mike Thomas, Kate Sanders, and Cynthia South will continue to serve in leadership roles, while Partner, Vishal Shah will become president and acting chief operating officer, and partner, Priya Betala will be the chief financial

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Staff Report January 12, 2023 No Comments
Top Story

Augusta nonprofit providing jobs for adults with disabilities makes national news

It’s not every day that a local nonprofit is featured on the national news. But last month, ABC’s “World News Tonight” with David Muir ran a story about an Augusta organization that provides job opportunities for adults with physical and mental disabilities. The Augusta Training Shop located off Walton Way at 1704 Jenkins St. allows its employees to work on various projects, such as restoring furniture and creating home décor, including Christmas decorations. It was founded in 1947. The employees work various schedules Monday through Friday, according to the nonprofit’s

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Josh Heath January 11, 2023 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Mixed bag of labor market news for Augusta Metro area

The Georgia Department of Labor announced that the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) unemployment rate fell to 3.2% in November. However, as the news release stated, unemployment rates normally decline in November as the economy enters the holiday season. After seasonal adjustment to take account of this known trend, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis calculates the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate to be 3.4%, up from 3.3% in October. This is the first seasonally adjusted increase in the unemployment rate since February 2022. There was some good labor market

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Economics Professor January 10, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Canadian furniture design business moves to Aiken

Covid took a big hit on many businesses. Some reassessed everything about their business. A few reinvented themselves. Some closed their doors forever. Others moved to another location. For Dan Diotte, President and Lead Designer of Chattels In Design, the survival of his business encompassed all those considerations. “Once Covid hit, we reassessed everything about our furniture design business. I believe when one door closes, a new door opens and presents new opportunities,” Diotte explained. Chattels In Design started in Ontario, Canada in 2016 and later moved to Massachusetts and

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Mitzi Oxford January 9, 2023 No Comments
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