Augusta, GA
Parker's Hits a New Market
The chain has opened its first c-store in the Augusta, Ga., market, with one more to come next month.

Parker’s Kitchen has opened its first retail store in Augusta, Ga., with another planned to open in June. Both locations will be open 24/7 to serve customers across the region.
The first new Parker’s Kitchen opened May 22 at 5 a.m. Strategically positioned at the intersection of Mike Padgett Highway and Tobacco Road, the company’s first Augusta, Ga., store will offer award-winning, Southern-inspired food, high-quality fuel and much more.
The next site, located in North Augusta, S.C., is expected to open June 12. The North Augusta store is situated at the I-520 off-ramp and is positioned for local residents, commuters and visitors to grab signature Parker’s Kitchen food, convenience items, auto fuel and high-flow diesel.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to open our first Parker’s Kitchen locations in the fast-growing Augusta market,” said Parker’s Kitchen founder and CEO Greg Parker. “We’re laser-focused on exceeding customer expectations and being a great community partner. We can’t wait to serve our customers in the Augusta area, elevate the convenience store experience for local residents and give back to the community right here in Augusta and North Augusta.”
Both Augusta-area stores will feature made-from-scratch Parker’s Kitchen food for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as indoor dining, popular grab-and-go food options and a hot bar with convenient electronic kiosk ordering.
Popular items include never-frozen, antibiotic-free, hand-breaded Southern Fried Chicken Tenders, signature mac ‘n’ cheese, potato logs, the Parker’s Kitchen Spicy Chicken Tender Sandwich, freshly made salads and more. The entire Parker’s Kitchen menu is handcrafted on-site from fresh ingredients by local chefs.
Additional highlights include bean-to-cup gourmet coffee, freshly brewed sweet and unsweet tea, Fancy Lemonade, 28-degree beer and a wide range of fountain drinks with signature Parker’s Kitchen Chewy Ice.
The inviting store design at both locations features signature Parker’s Kitchen Lowcountry-inspired architecture with a modern, contemporary glass-front façade, lime-washed brick, handsome bracketry, designer lighting and clean bathrooms. Both stores feature 19 fuel dispensers, offering regular, mid-grade, premium, diesel, ethanol-free, truck diesel and DEF fuel.
Parker’s Kitchen currently operates 87 retail stores in Georgia and South Carolina and plans to double the number of stores across the Southeast in the next four years. The company is currently in the midst of a major expansion into new markets including Augusta, Ga.; Aiken, S.C.; Myrtle Beach, S.C. and Jacksonville, Fla.
Parker’s In The Community
Every new-to-industry store provides 25 to 30 jobs for local residents, offering highly competitive salary and benefits packages. Parker’s Kitchen also employs 75 to 85 contractors to build each new store in the metro Augusta area.
Known for its longstanding commitment to charitable giving, Parker’s Kitchen has donated more than $30 million over the past eight years to local causes and has noted its commitment to supporting education, expanding access to healthcare, reducing childhood hunger and celebrating local heroes.
Parker’s Kitchen is currently conducting a round-up campaign to support local injured veterans, with proceeds benefiting Wounded Warrior Project. Parker’s Kitchen matches 25% of all customer round-up donations to amplify the impact of customer giving.
In addition, the Parker’s Fueling the Community charitable initiative donates a percentage of gas sold at all Parker’s Kitchen locations on the first Wednesday of each month to area schools. The company has donated more than $2 million to area schools across South Carolina and Georgia since the inception of the Fueling the Community program in 2011.
Honored as the 2020 CStore Decisions Chain of the Year and headquartered in Savannah, Ga., Parker’s Kitchen has enjoyed robust 20-24% annual growth every year for the past 25 years and has been featured six times on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America.
The company also offers an acclaimed Parker’s Rewards program, which saves customers time and money at the pump as well as in the store.
The Parker’s Rewards loyalty program, which includes more than 300,000 members, has saved customers more than $15 million to date.
Parker’s Kitchen employs 1,400 professionals throughout South Carolina and Georgia, and completes nearly a million transactions weekly.
Augusta, GA
Augusta business gives away toys despite delayed opening
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – An Augusta business gave away toys to kids in the community one night before Christmas Eve, despite not being able to open this holiday season.
Orange Hand Vintage gave away bikes and toys on Tuesday while helping to pay bills for some people in need.
Brandon Jackson, who is employed at Orange Hand Vintage, said the business went to Walmart to load up on more items.
“Then I went back to the list, and I scrolled through. And those that touched my heart are the ones that we ended up helping,” Jackson said. “We’re planning to still help some, depending on what it is that they’re asking for. We’re just trying to do as much as we can.”
The store is expecting to open in late January or early February.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Augusta arena work brings hope to ailing Broad Street businesses
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Work is moving along for the Augusta Arena, with less than two years remaining until the project is finished.
Funded by a half-penny sales tax approved by voters, the former James Brown Arena was torn down to make way for a space to hold more than 10,000 seats and eventually host hockey in the Garden City once again.
Officials said they have finished pouring the third level of concrete where the suites will be and are now working on the fourth level, the upper concourse.
Brad Usry, vice chairman of the Augusta Richmond County Coliseum Authority, said the progress is great after years of planning.
“In one word, it’s satisfaction. I mean, we’ve been working on this thing for over 10 years. So to finally see it going up and people seeing the fruits of our labor, it’s really nice,” Usry said.
The new Augusta Arena is starting to take shape as crews pour concrete, with the steel frame coming in a few months.
“We’re talking 900 feet long, three football fields long. The old arena was 50 feet tall. This arena is going to be close to 100 feet tall,” Usry said.
The arena’s impact could extend beyond entertainment, according to businesses on Broad Street.
Richard Sanders, manager of the Downtown Corner Store that opened this summer, said business is struggling, but the new arena could breathe life back into the area.
“A lot of the businesses that focus on either foot traffic or people just come at like, whether it’s a bar, restaurant. I mean, they’re all struggling right now,” Sanders said.

Sanders said events at venues like the Bell Auditorium already help local businesses.
“Once it opens, I mean, even when, I mean, even when they do stuff at the Bell, it helps. When they did stuff at the old Civic Center or James Brown Arena, it helped,” Sanders said.
Michael Weldon, owner of Psychotronic Records on Broad Street, said major acts bring new customers to his store.
“The first show I went to was Alice in Chains. And the last show that we went to, there was Cheap Trick and ZZ Top,” Weldon said of the former arena.
“When there’s a good show by a name artist in town, no matter where they’re playing, we get people in here that maybe are here for the first time,” Weldon said.
Usry said the project remains on time and on budget.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Augusta Fire Department toy pickup brings holiday joy to families
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Fire Department’s toy pickup event brought smiles to children and parents as dozens of families in need collected new gifts to put under the tree.
The toys were donated by local businesses, nonprofits and families of Augusta Fire Department members. For organizers, the event represents more than just gift distribution.
“It’s been supremely joyous for everyone. I haven’t seen anyone who hasn’t had a completely wide smile on their face when they come through,” said Lerone Beasley, deputy chief of technical services. “Everyone has just been overwhelmed and happy about this opportunity.”
The fire department said the event celebrates unity, compassion and the true meaning of giving.
This is the second year that Augusta Fire has hosted the toy pickup event.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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