Augusta, GA
Downtown Augusta grows as new businesses open their doors
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – As winter gives way into spring, more and more people will be looking for a fun place to head after work and on the weekends — whether to grab a drink or a bite to eat.
And a growing number of businesses coming to the area are providing plenty of options.
Craft beer and wine shop “Tip Top Taps” just opened its doors on Thursday after relocating from Evans to Augusta.
The business cut the red ribbon, marking the start of a brand new journey as a place to hang out and grab some beer, wine or champagne. They even have free popcorn and an atmosphere that mimics a backyard.
They are just one of the latest examples of how downtown continues to grow.
It was a big day for Marty Koger as he cut the ribbon on his new tap house.
“Augusta’s got another dynamic and it’s got some of the best restaurants in the CSRA and we want to be part of all of that and part of those success stories,” said Koger.
They are just one of the latest examples of how downtown continues to grow.
They’re a success story just like Nacho Mama’s, which is located in the heart of downtown Augusta.
But it’s a journey Berry Blackston says hasn’t always been easy.
“We’ve seen downtown go from street lights turning off at five in the afternoon to the inability to find a parking space at any given time. So we’ve seen a lot of change,” said Blackston.
Margaret Woodards with the Downtown Development Authority says a lot of the foot traffic is coming in from the entertainment district and soon will be downtown living.
“You’ve really gotten there when you have a downtown living population because it gives you that 24/7 feel of people living downtown. They tend to work downtown and then play downtown,” said Woodard.
She says more foot traffic calls for more expansion.
“We’ve seen a tremendous net gain of businesses over the last five years. I believe in 2021, it was 53 new businesses opened up last year was 47 new businesses opened up and something amazing like 11 expansions, businesses expanding,” said Woodard.
As empty buildings on Broad Street breathe new life, Woodard says the goal is to always have something new to do in the Garden City.
“There’s more for people to do now. You can come downtown and eat, go look at the bookstore, then go have a beer somewhere or go have a specialty cocktail at Vance’s Bakery Bar. They’re just so many great things to do,” said Woodard.
Right now, the DDA is still tallying up how many new businesses have opened up from 2023 until now, but Woodard says more restaurants are coming to lower Broad Street this year.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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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