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Downtown Augusta grows as new businesses open their doors

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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.

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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Augusta, GA

Abercrombie Becomes a Leader On and Off the Court – Augusta University

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Abercrombie Becomes a Leader On and Off the Court – Augusta University


Augusta, Ga. – A year ago when Quinasia Abercrombie was a freshman, she let her work on the court do the talking as she became one of the top players in the Peach Belt Conference. Abercrombie didn’t have to be a vocal leader since the Jaguars had several upper classmen that handled that role. This year, her sophomore season, Abercrombie is still one of the best players around, but now has become the vocal leader of the team, something that didn’t come naturally.

“I’m just leading my team by voice now, not just leading by example,” Abercrombie said. “Since I don’t really talk, I think they (my teammates) were really surprised, but they’re listening.” 

She leads the Augusta women in several offensive categories and has proven to be a major asset to the program. 

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From Greenville, S.C., Abercrombie was an all-state high school player. She gives part of that credit to her siblings, one older brother and three younger brothers. She had to scratch and claw on the basketball court with them and she’s the first to give them credit for helping make her the player she is today. Abercrombie went as fas as saying she enjoys playing against guys since they’ll push her hard to become better, and she likes the competition. 

Now, she’s also being pushed by coach Celeste Stewart. So much so, it’s taking Abercrombie out of her comfort zone. But it’s all for the betterment of her.

“She’s put me in multiple, uncomfortable situations, like talking, being more verbal, and just putting me in positions I wouldn’t normally put myself in,” added Abercrombie.

With the Peach Belt Conference tournament up next for the Jaguars, Abercrombie thinks this team can find another gear and make a run. While she has elevated her game, she knows her teammates can do the same. 

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Even going forward as a player, Abercrombie knows there’s plenty of room for improvement. One of the most notable for her, her ball handling skills.

“I know I like to pick up my dribble a lot and give it to my point guards,” said Abercrombie. “But I know I can bring it down the court, I just need to work on my ball handling and just being confident handling the ball.”

Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags. 





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Peach Belt tournament: Augusta misses out for the first time in Metress era

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Peach Belt tournament: Augusta misses out for the first time in Metress era


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 2025-2026 Peach Belt Conference brackets are set, and there is plenty of shakeup this year.

Starting with the women’s bracket, Augusta University secured the #4 overall seed and will face #5 seed Middle Georgia in round one.

USCA’s women’s team did not fair as well, finishing in last place of this season’s standings.

On the men’s side, USCA’s men’s team secured the eighth and final spot in the conference tournament.

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In a shocking turn of events, AU’s men’s team did not qualify for the tournament.

This marks the first time the program has missed the PBC tournament since Dip Metress took over the program in 2004.



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Augusta Falls to Georgia Southwestern in Final Game of the Series – Augusta University

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Augusta Falls to Georgia Southwestern in Final Game of the Series – Augusta University


Augusta, Ga. – Augusta managed just five hits and one run and fell to Georgia Southwestern 12-1 Sunday as the Hurricanes win two of the three games of the series. The Jaguars are now 7-2 in Peach Belt Conference play and 11-8 overall. The Canes improve to 7-2 in conference play and 12-7 overall. 

Georgia Southwestern scored runs in all but one inning including four runs in the first two innings and plated five runs in the fifth, highlighted by a grand slam. 

The only Augusta run would come in the fourth inning. Landon Leonard would reach on an error and would come around when Kent Moon reached on a fielder’s choice that would plate Leonard.

Leonard, Moon, Davis Newman, Harris Bachelder and Jakob Cowart would collect the hits for the Jaguars.  

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Augusta will next be in action on Friday when the open up a three game series with Lander at Jaguar Field. First pitch on Friday is set for 6:00 p.m.

Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags.

 





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