Jason & Wendy

these are a few of our favorite things

recently discovered on a downtown date night

what he saw

1. a bracelet made by Tibetan artists from blue magnolia because I appreciate all things handmade. This thing is carved out of yak bone with some amazing designs etched into it. Added bonus: a portion of the proceeds goes to the Tibetan children.

2. The Bomb Burrito from Nacho Mama’s is one of my favorite items on the menu. This baby is chocked full of chicken and jalapeno and goes great with a glass of their sweet tea.

3. While at the Book Tavern, I had David Hutchison put my name on the list to receive a copy of The Story of Augusta by Dr. Edward Cashin. I was impressed with David’s wealth of knowledge and the store’s selection of books.

what she saw

1. We had dinner at the Pizza Joint where I enjoyed my slice of pizza (italian sausage and cheese) and the company of my husband and son. This is a restaurant that has a really laid back atmosphere and I like the fact that people of all ages come in to hang out and everyone seems to get along.

2. We really like to wander around in the blue magnolia and check out the array of “eclectic stuff”. I purchased the Take-Out Book (from Knock Knock) because I know someone who treats people to lunch quite frequently and I’m hoping this will be perfect for her. This is a great store to visit if you like unique things or need to find a gift for someone who seems to have everything and is hard to buy for. You are sure to find at least one thing you like especially if you enjoy chocolate. It’s tradition for us to buy “something sweet” each time we stop in.

3. One of my favorite things about downtown are the people. It is a great place to hang out in a group, or read quietly alone in a cafe, or “people watch” over a cup of coffee. Today, I was able to just enjoy spending time with my husband as we brought our little bundle, Colson, out for a downtown date. This was his first experience of downtown at night. Of course, he did sleep the whole time… but it was still a good memory made for me.

about our couple: Jason Webb is the music leader at the Well, a downtown community church. His wife, Wendy, has her hands full with Colson, their month-old baby boy.

Choosing local first boosts Augusta’s economy

A friend recently asked, �Does downtown Augusta really need another restaurant?� I replied with an emphatic yes. We do need more restaurants, plus galleries, retail stores, clubs, salons and parks resulting in a diverse and growing community.

Downtown Augusta is a unique destination point � grounded in history, eclectic in its offering, and driven by locally owned businesses. Its success is Augusta�s success � and relies heavily on residents choosing to keep their dollars local.

Spending local has benefits on many levels. I find the most compelling argument to support local businesses is simple economics.

A recent study demonstrates the power of a dollar spent at a locally owned business versus that same dollar at a chain or online. The study by Civic Economics, a national economic analysis and strategic planning consultancy firm, posed the simple question �does local matter?� Their findings present an incredible case: for every $100 spent at a locally owned and operated business, $45 stays in the community. That same $100 spent at a chain store only puts $13 back into our local economy.

For Augusta, that means if each household in Richmond County simply redirected $100 of planned spending next month from chain stores to local merchants, the local economic impact would reach approximately $3.4 million for the month. If we did that every month, the annual impact would be $40 million and create almost 300 new jobs.

The study illustrated how locally owned businesses contribute more to the community than chains or Internet companies. Online retailers pay no sales tax on products bought by Augusta customers, and, or course, have no employees in the area. Chains also do not spend money in the local community on services they retain on a national level. Local businesses typically pay other local businesses for their products and services � recirculating the money in our community. When we shop at local businesses, we simultaneously create jobs, fund more city services through sales tax, invest in neighborhood improvement and promote community development. That�s powerful.

To put it on a more personal level: the next time you run to Lowe�s for your lumber, maybe you should think of Pratt-Dudley first. If you�ve gone into Wal-Mart for a gift, try Elduets Treasures of the World. Instead of looking for books at Borders, call the Book Tavern (they can get it for you as fast & easy). It�s not hard to redirect your money � and it�s mostly cost competitive. You�ll also be getting personalized service from the folks who run the business and won�t be just another wallet in the checkout line.

Roane Loudermilk, part of the team renovating the White�s Building, elaborates on the Horizon Group�s commitment to supporting local business. She says, �[We] feel that supporting downtown Augusta’s local businesses is paramount to stimulating growth and stability in the downtown corridor.�

Her words are supported by her actions. With husband Sherwin, Roane makes a point of dining and shopping locally while in Augusta. They often start their day with coffee at New Moon Caf�, lunch at Blue Sky Kitchen or Cafe 209, and finish with dinner at White Elephant. The J.B. White�s building will host designs by blue magnolia, stone flooring by Tile Center Inc., commercial space signs by Wooden Features, and artwork from downtown galleries. Roane concludes, �Hopefully, by increasing the downtown population by approximately 10%, we can help promote a rebirth of downtown Augusta.�

Of course, it�s more than just the money. When we choose to shop local first, we choose to support our neighbors, add to the character and diversity of Augusta, and create a sustainable community.

Locally owned businesses add diversity and character to our community by offering original and unique products and services. Our Shop Menswear attributes their 38 years of successful downtown business to the uniqueness of their product which fills a niche a chain retailer cannot. Hildebrandt�s is a one of a kind small grocer and deli, serving downtown since 1879. From shoes to wigs, modern furniture to traditional, sushi to Creole, books to art, downtown offers an incredible array of products and services.

Locally owned businesses also support local community organizations and charitable functions creating a web of support within the community. For instance, The Book Tavern�s recent �Give a Soldier a Book to Read,� collected over 300 pounds of books to send to troops overseas. This local initiative is making a community impact.

Each of our daily decisions really does make a powerful collective impact on shaping Augusta. Remember, where you spend your money will truly determine what your neighborhood is going to look like in ten years.

Want to learn more?

�Every dollar of city money and every hour of city time wasted on unreliable non-local businesses are precious resources unavailable to nurturing local businesses. Real economic development should begin with the home team,� states Michael H. Shuman, author of Small-Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses Are Beating the Global Competition. This book is available at The Book Tavern (1026 Broad Street ? $16.95).

Shuman takes issue with the concept that there is no viable alternative to mega-stores like Wal-Mart. In The Small-Mart Revolution, he presents a compelling case for his alternative business model, where communities reap the benefits of “going local” in four key spending categories: goods, services, energy, and finance. Shuman argues that local businesses give more to charity, adapt more easily to rising labor and environmental standards, and produce more wealth for a community. They also spend more locally, thereby increasing community income and creating wealth and jobs. The Small-Mart Revolution presents a visionary yet practical roadmap for everyone concerned with mitigating the worst of globalization.

Georgia Hatters

Where? 318 Eight Street

Located at 318 Eighth Street between Ellis and Greene, Georgia Hatters Dry Cleaning is easy to find and readily accessible for those who work in and around downtown and need excellent laundry services. Owner Hyun Kim provides excellent dry cleaning, freshly pressed shirts, minor repairs and alterations, hat cleaning and one hour pant and shirt service for customer convenience (which is nice if you want to walk around and shop or get called into a meeting on short notice). Open for business every day: Sun to Fri: 7 am to 6 pm and on Sat: 9:30 am to noon.

209 Music Lounge

Where? Eight Street Bulkhead

Fairly new to downtown, 209 Music Lounge is a great place to go out for dinner or catch a live band. The spacious building contains two full bars and a dining area for families, offering up great soul food and finger foods. With dinner and a drink comes a little entertainment. There’s karaoke on Wednesdays, DJ on Thursdays, and live bands on Saturdays. As the weather gets nicer, the riverfront patio will feature live jazz bands. Owner, Glen Brinson, keeps it open four days a week. Wed: 11 am to 11 pm; Thu: 11 am to 12 am; Fri: 11 am to 2 am; Sat: 12 pm to 2 am.

Hildebrandt’s

Where? 222 Sixth Street

One of the oldest shops in Augusta, Hildebrandt’s has been serving up great food for 128 years, and encompasses a small grocery store and sandwich shop. Owned by Luanne Hildebrandt, it is a regular stop for lunch on Sixth Street between Broad and Ellis. The sandwiches are made with fresh quality meats and cheeses and handmade right when you order, leaving a little time to browse the rest of the store or simply sit and converse with Ms. Hildebrandt. Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu and Fri: 9:30 am to 6 pm; Wed: 9:30 am to 1:30 pm and Sat: 9:30 am to 3 pm. Closed on Sunday.

Cottage Elegance

Where? 219 James Brown Blvd

Looking for antiques, unique gifts, floral arrangement, or housing accessories? Downtown’s newest retail shop, Cottage Elegance fits the bill. It’s located between Broad and Ellis Streets at 219 James Brown Blvd. Owner Joni Thurmond offers a wide array of products from china cabinets and china dolls to tea room tables and chairs and wall quilts. Cozy accessories for your home and lovely gifts abound in this tiny store. Cottage Elegance is open 10:00 am to 2:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday. Do not overlook this cozy shop the next time you are downtown.

Mr. Webguy

I’m really just writing this right now to be a test post for the blog section of the website. Sometimes you get tired of seeing the lorem ipsum text over and over again while you wait for something creative and meaningful to come to mind.

The Verge is a cool project to work on. I’m very pleased that I get to be a part of it. Are you like minded and familiar with Wordpress? I could maybe use some help in making this site great.

Let me know if you’re interested by shooting me an email to webguy@vergelive.com. If you see a problem with the website, or just have any questions info@vergelive.com can help.

The White’s Building

Augustans have watched with excitement and anticipation the work that is being completed on the former J. B. White department store. Vacant since White’s joined other stores in a mass exodus to the mall in the late 1970s, the building is currently being rehabilitated as fashionable, urban condominiums on the top three floors with offices and retail space on the first floor.

The former J.B. White department store was a longtime anchor of the 900 Block of Broad Street servicing the needs of the Augusta community by selling clothing, shoes, china and home furnishings. Downtown supporters are looking forward to this building being given the opportunity to once again have pride of place on this block.

• 1924 - J.B. White & Company, founded in 1874 by an Irish immigrant named James Brice White* (1847-1917), moved from the first floor of a building located at 724 Broad Street, which it shared with the lobby of the Albion Hotel, into a newly constructed Italian Renaissance style building located at 936 Broad Street. The general contractor of the new building was C.H. Van Ormer of Augusta. The mill work was made by Woodward Lumber Company, the roof and windows were provided by Augusta Roofing and Metal Company, headed by W.W. Jones, and Young Electrical Works installed the extensive wiring.
• 1946 - A fourth story was added to the White’s store and the façade was remodeled.1978J. B. White’s and other retailers left downtown for the promise of greater prosperity at the Regency Mall. J.B. White & Company, which had been sold by Mr. White in 1904 and had gone through a succession of owners, was eventually bought out by Dillard’s.
• 1999 - Augusta Renaissance Partners, formed with the goal of preserving buildings and encouraging downtown redevelopment, purchased the building, stabilized it, replaced the roof, cleaned the façade and removed asbestos, paving the way for future reuse.TodayHorizon Group Investments of Atlanta purchased the building from Augusta Renaissance Partners in 2007. The group is rehabilitating the structure as condominiums, office and retail space to be occupied this spring. The Augusta Downtown Development Authority will be one of the first tenants to get on board.* It is interesting to note that James Brice White, a millionaire and one of the wealthiest people in Augusta, died in Genoa, Italy in 1917 without ever having married or having had children. The bulk of his estate went to Irish siblings, nephews and nieces but a total of $400,000 was left to the Augusta City Council to be distributed to Augusta charities as they saw fit. Eventually this would provide $150,000 to build the Y.M.C.A. building at Broad and Macartan Streets (now Health Central), $50,000 to build the West End Y.M.C.A. (which evolved into the Boys Club in the Harrisburg Neighborhood), $50,000 to support the Y.W.C.A. (then located at 924 Greene Street) and $150,000 invested to support worthy causes (which still exists as the J.B. White Foundation).

Downtown Gets Cleaner & Safer: The Green Team Arrives in April

Imagine downtown Augusta with steam-cleaned sidewalks, litter-free streets and bicycle ambassadors greeting visitors and creating a safe environment for all to enjoy. Those dreams are finally becoming a reality with the Clean Augusta Downtown Initiative (CADI), the city’s first Business Improvement District.

what is CADI
CADI is a Business Improvement District, an organization of downtown property who tax themselves to raise money for downtown improvements. CADI is funded and managed by the property owners.

who will manage CADI
The downtown property owners are in complete control of CADI. The newly elected Board of Directors unanimously approved a three-year contract with Service Group Inc. of Malvern, Pennsylvania to run the program and, since then, CADI has been on the fast-track.Mr. Rick Wiggins, who has twenty years experience as an army drill instructor, has been hired as the Program Manager. Extensive training for the clean team and ambassadors is scheduled for early March.

what will CADI do for downtown
CADI provides a wide range of services – focusing mainly on safety, cleanliness, hospitality and promotion. These services are in addition to those provided by our local government.Your CADI team will be on the streets and in full operation by April 1. Look for the guys in green!by Margaret Woodard, Downtown Development Authorityfor more information visit www.myaugustadowntown.com

who’s on the board

• Sanford Lloyd
• Robert Kuhar
• Tennent Houston
• Bryan Haltermann
• Don Bailey
• Julian Osbon
• Darryl Leech
• Jeff Partl
• Berry Smith
• Davenport Bruker
• Len Carter
• Tillman Sauls