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Consumer Stories

National publication ranks Augusta in top 10 real estate markets for 2023

2023 is expected to be a very successful year for the local housing market, according to a recent article from USA Today. The newspaper ranked the top 10 real estate markets in the U.S., and Augusta made the list, which also includes Columbia, Chattanooga, Toledo, and El Paso. “Home sales across the top 10 markets are expected to grow by 5.2 percent year over year, whereas national home sales are projected to experience a decline in sales (-14.1 percent),” the article said. “Average home prices in these markets are expected

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Josh Heath January 8, 2023 No Comments
B2B Stories

Family-owned company to launch new gas station in Martinez

Deep Patel is only 21, but he and his parents own a successful chain of CSRA gas stations/convenience stores. Patel serves as CEO of Gas World, a company with locations throughout Augusta, including Walton Way, Deans Bridge Road, and Windsor Spring Road. By the end of next month, they plan to open their seventh location next door to Harvard’s Wine & Beverage at 116 Old Evans Road in Martinez. “We have a pretty diverse chain of stores,” he said. “Every customer knows what to expect every single time.” That’s because

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Josh Heath January 5, 2023 No Comments
Mergers/Acquisitions

Local real estate phenom purchases agency

24-year-old Noah McBride is wise beyond his years. Perhaps, he learned it from his grandpa Tommy McBride, who is working in his 55th year in local real estate, or from his old boss, Larry Miller, the former broker of Century 21 Larry Miller Realty. On New Year’s Day, Noah assumed control of the brokerage Miller had owned for 36 years. “I’m excited for the legacy he is leaving behind and to continue what he’s built,” said the three-year real estate agent from his temporary offices at 4426 Washington Road in

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Neil Gordon January 4, 2023 No Comments
B2B Stories

Resolutions and predictions for 2023

As someone who has written a regular column for more than five years, I have learned that certain topics are expected at certain times of the year. At the start of the year, readers often expect to see columnists provide resolutions and predictions. I will not let you down. Let’s start with the resolutions, and more importantly, how to keep them. Like many of you, I have probably not succeeded with all my resolutions. So, why should you listen to me? As Thomas Edison once said, “I have not failed.

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Dr. Richard Franza January 3, 2023 No Comments
Employment

Local company reps discuss pros and cons of offering remote work options

After the pandemic, some companies have required their employees to return to the office, but that hasn’t been the case at Sizemore, Inc., according to Joey Warren. Warren, the staffing agency’s senior corporate communications coordinator, said many of its employees have the option to work remotely. “We have a lot of flexibility within our company, and we’re very accommodating to people’s schedules,” he said. “We’ve been hesitant to force people to be back in the office.” Warren said he’s worked for Sizemore, which hires employees for a variety of positions,

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Josh Heath January 2, 2023 No Comments
Closings

Columbia County eatery closes its doors

There’s another empty spot at the former Jones Creek Golf Course. After nearly eight years in business, Katerwerks Grille left its restaurant operation in the Clubhouse at Jones Creek. ABD has learned the restaurant closed in July because its owners were unable to renew their lease. Mark Herbert, who owns the Clubhouse, said he plans to move another tenant into that building, but declined to provide any further information at this time. The restaurant offered a variety of American-style menu options, including sandwiches, salads, steaks, and seafood. It was open

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Josh Heath and Gary Kauffman December 29, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Former Aiken Golden Corral to be demolished, replaced with new Olive Garden location

In Aiken, a former buffet-style restaurant is being demolished to make room for a popular Italian eatery. Chaplin and Sons Clearing and Demolition in Augusta has been hired to tear down the former Golden Corral Buffet & Grill located at 2265 Whiskey Road near the Aiken Mall, according to a post from the company on LinkedIn. That building will be torn down and replaced with a new Olive Garden Italian Restaurant location. ABD reached out to Darden Restaurants, which operates many restaurant chains throughout the United States, including Olive Garden,

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Josh Heath December 28, 2022 No Comments
Closings

One Columbia County fitness center closes facility

While many gyms are gearing up for their busiest time of the year, one local fitness center is closing its doors permanently. ABD has learned Burn Boot Camp’s Grovetown location at 953 Branch Court closed on December 22nd after four years in operation. The owners of that franchise location also own and operate the Evans location at 4490 Washington Road, which has been operating for six years. Burn Boot Camp offers group workouts called Camps that combine strength training and high-intensity cardiovascular exercise. “It was a tough decision, but we

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Josh Heath and Neil Gordon December 27, 2022 No Comments
Education

Augusta Technical College reveals plan to build technology training center in Columbia County

Augusta Technical College plans to grow the future workforce by bringing a new advanced manufacturing and engineering technology training facility to Columbia County. This plan involves building a state-of-the-art manufacturing simulation center that will include classrooms and labs for engineering, robotics, chemical technology, and machining, according to an article from the college. The article said the college’s current facilities are insufficient to train its students for jobs in these STEM fields, and these industries employ more than one-third of the region’s workers. “The establishment of the facility in Columbia County

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Josh Heath December 26, 2022 No Comments
Closings

Stay. Social, Tap + Table closing for good

“It’s time,” said Renee Hajek yesterday in advance of a social media post, announcing the permanent closing of her restaurant and bar, Stay. Social, Tap + Table, in Evans across from the Lady A. The stress of fighting for her liquor license for about three months took its toll. At issue was whether Hajek obtained more than 50 percent of her sales from food, the requirement after she received a grant and loan money from Columbia County to open Stay. It started with a 4-1 vote by the County Commission

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Neil Gordon December 21, 2022 No Comments
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