Augusta, GA
Holiday shopping gives Aiken, Augusta small businesses seasonal sales boost
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – In a year marked by construction, tariffs, government shutdown threats and economic uncertainty, the holiday season provided small businesses in Aiken and Augusta with a chance to turn a hefty profit.
Business owners across the region reported strong foot traffic and sales during the critical November and December period, which helps sustain them through slower months.
Pete Swales of High Country Olive Oil on Laurens Street said Aiken’s tourism appeal brings steady customers during the holidays.
“Aiken has a lot of folks coming in and visiting and traveling and a lot of tourism. And so we get a lot of folks just walking by,” Swales said.
The holiday season represents a crucial revenue period for his business.
“Our business becomes incredibly busy in that November and December time frame. It’s probably 1/3 of the year is done inside of that month and a half,” Swales said.
Across the street at The Little Red Fox Shop, Charles Lowe reported similar holiday traffic patterns.
“Tons, tons. We get… We don’t get a lot of foot traffic all year, but we get a lot this time of year,” Lowe said.
The shop, which features items from local artists, serves as a popular destination for gift shopping.
“It’s like really from mid-November to December, we stay swamped. It’s good because, you know, that’s where you make, like, we can get through like January and February are really slow,” Lowe said.
Pink Icing Boutique opened downtown at the beginning of the holiday season and immediately saw strong customer traffic.
“This is a little over a month since we’ve been here, and I’ve seen a tremendous amount of foot traffic before and after the holidays,” said Benicia Bush of Pink Icing Boutique.
In downtown Augusta, businesses also reported sustained activity extending beyond Christmas.
Shama S. Cartwright of Rebel Lion Den said the holiday season continues to bring customers downtown.
“After Christmas, they have Kwanzaa. So it’s still a pickup, because we’re still celebrating the holiday season, so people come through from the time, say Christmas Eve, on to like now, people are coming downtown,” Cartwright said.
Business owners said warm weather during the holiday season provided an additional boost, encouraging more people to walk around downtown areas and shop for gifts.
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Enjoy me while I’m here but when I’m gone don’t make a fuss! Just have a party and celebrate. And don’t say all that stuff about me in the newspaper! Everyone doesn’t need to know everything I’ve done and been! Say what’s most important to me. And she elaborated…
Louise Franklin Sheehan, 87, passed away peacefully at home on June 26. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband John Wilcox Sheehan. Her parents Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Franklin. Her sister Patricia Green. Her brother Peter Franklin.
Louise, in her words, was a devoted and loving wife, a wonderful mother and grandmother to her children and was happy to be the same and WAS through the years to many other children who wanted and/or needed the same. Her family was unquestionably her life. She was a dear friend to many. She never met a stranger. She helped many strangers in need, some who would become dear friends.
Louise is survived by her children Marie King (Sam), Patricia Beck (John), John Sheehan, Franklin Sheehan. Her grandchildren Aurelia Beck, Katie Schantz (Evan), Mary Darby Garren, Sadie Beck, Georgia Beck (Barry Sonders), Jack Beck (Anna Mae). Great grandchildren Magnolia Beck, Theodore Beck, Otis Beck and Maya Schantz. Also survived by her close in laws, sister in law Beth Sheehan and her brother in law and sister in law Joe and Nancy Sheehan as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
We would like to give the utmost thanks and love to her long term devoted care givers who have become family: Nichole Lane, Latonja Williams and Faina Blackwood. And to Tameka Blackwood who came as needed. Truly our angels on earth.
Louise, a life long devoted Saint Mary’s on the Hill parishioner, had a passion and long term devotion to supporting numerous Catholic Children missions. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the children’s charity of your choice in her honor if you desire.
A celebration of her life will be announced at a later date.
Louise was most known for her kindness. In her honor, go extra on kindness today and always to family, friends and strangers.
Arrangements are being provided by Platt’s Funeral Home, 721 Crawford Avenue, Augusta, GA 30904 (706) 733-3636. Please take a moment to share your condolences by signing the online guestbook at plattsfuneralhome.com.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Fire Department held a community event Saturday to help residents prepare for hurricane season and stay safe during emergencies.
The department met with residents at the Augusta-Richmond County Library, where they distributed community resources.
Lt. Stephanie Allen, public education specialist with the Augusta Fire Department, spoke about fire safety and emergency preparedness.
“Do a home escape plan, walk around your house, make sure your smoke detectors are working,” Allen said. “I tell people, simple as going online or go to Walmart and buy an extinguisher — right, little things like that will help. Keep an extinguisher in your car. Little things like that can help save your life, save your property.”
The department also demonstrated how to use a fire extinguisher, discussed how to create a go-kit for emergencies and explained how to use an automated external defibrillator.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The CSRA Death Cafe hosted a gathering Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta on Walton Way.
Death Cafes began as a way to increase awareness about death and encourage people to make the most of their lives. Since 2011, more than 24,000 Death Cafes have been held in 97 countries.
Brenda Ferguson, an attendee at the CSRA Death Cafe, spoke about how people approach death differently.
“I think death is different for everyone, you know, but accepting people where they are and helping them through wherever they are,” Ferguson said. “And if we need to get them to understand some things, but I can never say your way is wrong, because it’s different for everyone.”
Abigail Danns, also an attendee, said many people avoid the topic altogether.
“From my experience, a lot of us kind of live in denial,” Danns said. “No one wants to plan the funeral. That’ll jinx it. No one wants to just kind of tiptoe around the topic when really we all have to do it. So we might as well kind of just explore those thoughts, have the conversations, and better yet, get prepared.”
Organizers said they will host another Death Cafe on Aug. 30 at 4 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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