Buzz On Biz

Irresistible Bargains for Every Season Abound for Smart Shoppers in Augusta

UNION, NJ, October 29, 2010 – CHRISTMAS TREE SHOPS, New England’s most popular destination for incredible bargains, is pleased to announce the opening of its first location in the state of Georgia, in Augusta. The 32,000-square-foot store offers home furnishings, housewares, food, gifts, paper goods and seasonal products at unbeatable bargain prices. Located in the Augusta Exchange at 239 Robert C Daniel Jr. Parkway, and is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Starting November 1, holiday hours will be from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM seven days a week.

Founded in 1970 as a Christmas gift shop on Cape Cod, Christmas Tree Shops grew into the preferred year-round shopping destination for bargains. With season after season of exciting merchandise and authentic deals, Christmas Tree Shops’ reputation for unique and exclusive merchandise and brand-name goods at bargain prices has earned them a passionate and loyal customer base.

“We are thrilled to introduce the Christmas Tree Shops’ experience to Augusta and surrounding communities,” stated Todd Johnson, president of Christmas Tree Shops. “Our customers have fun in our stores all year-round, whether they are shopping for Mother’s Day gifts in May, looking for patio sets in June, or furnishing and decorating a college dorm room in August. Naturally, come holiday season, no one does Christmas better than we do,” Johnson continued. “We invite our new neighbors in Augusta to come in and discover why our signature catchphrase is “Don’t you just love a bargain?®.”

Whether shopping for seasonal items, finding unique home décor or looking for a special gift, customers return time and again to Christmas Tree Shops for the broad assortment of continuously changing product. In addition to unique finds, savvy shoppers come to Christmas Tree Shops for great buys on everyday items such as cleaning supplies, health and beauty products or snacks and treats like crackers and cookies.

Christmas Tree Shops, Inc. is based in Middleboro, MA and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) is a chain of retail stores, operating under the names of Bed Bath & Beyond, Christmas Tree Shops, Harmon, Harmon Face Values and buybuy BABY. The company sells a wide assortment of domestics merchandise and home furnishings, which includes food, giftware, health and beauty care items and infant and toddler merchandise. As of August 28, 2010, the Company had a total of 1,111 stores, including 972 Bed Bath & Beyond stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada, 61 Christmas Tree Shops stores, 33 buybuy BABY stores and 45 stores under the names of Harmon or Harmon Face Values. In addition, the Company is a partner in a joint venture which operates two stores in the Mexico City market under the name “Home & More.” Shares of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. are traded on NASDAQ under the symbol “BBBY” and are included in the  Standard and Poor’s 500 and Global 1200 Indices and the NASDAQ-100 Index.  The Company is counted among the Fortune 500 and the Forbes 2000.

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photography by: Trent Anthony

Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver and Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce Chairman-Elect Terry Elam got a workout on Thursday cutting the ribbon!

Urban Body replaces another fitness concept at 1286 Broad Street, next to the Frog Hollow Tavern.

They use the patented “Spin Blast 800” spinning cycles and promise one of the most effective workouts combining cardio and weight and resistance training in one hour. “800” is the number of calories they claim members can burn in one hour. Pretty awesome!!! Urban Body will also be teaching traditonal spin, yoga fusion, butt and gut classes and many more.

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Many have wondered what caused the prominent travel agent to announce it’s closing after 34 years. The buzz is the owner is retiring and they are going to be doing a “soft closing”.  Of the owners key people said that after today(October 29^th) – there will be NO new reservations taken.  But, folks who have unused sky miles etc will be able to redeem them.  And, folks who have pending trips, reservations will be taken care of … they will just not be doing NEW bookings.  She said they will be staying open with folks there to answer calls and help people who have current needs.

She said the owner did not want to sell …. so, they are staying open.  She said that one employee – Margaret Centers – is going on her own and starting her own travel agency.

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The Little River Blueway made it into the Carolina Living Magazine (see cover and article) under a special section entitled “Carolina Adventures.” The magazine just got delivered to subscribers and newsstands on Thursday October 28^th.

The Savannah Lakes Village is a corporate donor of the Little River Blueway Project—spreading the word on all there is to day outdoors in the region.

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AUGUSTA, Ga., Oct. 29, 2010 – The City of Augusta is pleased to announce that the September sales tax collection revenue is ahead .23% of last year’s amounts and we are 3.40% ahead of budgeted revenue projection.

Comments Mayor Copenhaver, “As today we have both announced that Augusta will be Costco’s newest location and received word from the Georgia Department of Labor that our unemployment rate has dropped and remains below the state and national average, the fact that our sales tax revenues are up serves to underscore the overall strength of our local economy. Although there is still much work to be done, this news should help to encourage local citizens as we continue to diligently work together towards a bright and prosperous future for our city.”

For more information, please contact Tim Schroer at tschroer@augustaga.gov or 706.821.1741

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AUGUSTA, GEORGIA (10.25.2010) The Downtown Augusta Alliance presents another entertaining way to explore downtown with the month-long game: Jingle Bell Jaunt.  The event kicks off on First Friday, November 5^th, and runs through November 30^th.

It’s the easiest scavenger hunt you’ll ever play. Pick up a Jingle Bell Ring at any of the twenty-two participating boutiques, gift shops, art galleries and businesses. The Ring contains a business card from each shop and a registration form (they’re free). Over the next three weeks, visit each shop in any desired order.  Find the “hidden” jingle bell display in each shop and have a store employee validate (initial) the registration form.  When the form is completely filled out, drop the card off at the last stop for an opportunity to win that “extra jingle” for you pocket.

On First Friday in December, two registration cards will be drawn and each will win a gift certificate package worth over $500.  Registration cards must be validated in full in order to be eligible for the drawing. The real bonus is the Jingle Bell Ring of cards – a veritable directory of downtown shopping and many of which offer special deals, discounts and free gifts throughout November and December – just in time for holiday shopping.

“Last year we received 100 completed entries out of almost 700 rings given out,” said David Hutchison, DA2 Board President and owner of the Book Tavern. “Some of the bells were really tough to find, and others were right in front of my face but I still didn’t see them. We’ll try not to keep you looking for too long, though, because we want you to be successful.”

The 22 Jingle Bell Jaunt Stops are:

1)       Art on Broad  | 1028 Broad Street

2)       Artistic Perceptions | 551 Broad Street

3)       Augusta Canal Gift Shop | 1450 Greene Street

4)       The Book Tavern | 1026 Broad Street

5)       Brigan’s Land of Enchantment | 912 Broad Street

6)       Costumes by Michele | 1125 Broad Street

7)       Downtown Dental | 1162 Broad Street

8)       Elduets Treasures of the World | 1127 Broad

9)       Flowers Xpress | 1046 Broad Street

10)   Garden City Organics | 1034 Broad Street

11)   Health Central | 945 Broad Street

12)   International Uniform | 1216 Broad Street

13)   Modish Salon & Spa | 1018 Broad Street

14)   Morris Museum Store | 1 Tenth Street

15)   Oddfellows Art Gallery | 802 Ellis Street

16)   Shoppe 31:30 | 910 Broad Street

17)   Tire City Potters | 210 B Tenth Street

18)   Urban Body Fitness | 1286 Broad Street

19)   Vintage Ooollee | 1121 Broad Street

20)   Augusta Visitor Info Center | 560 Reynolds Street

21)   Whitehouse Antiques | 1010 Broad Street

22)   Zimmerman Gallery | 1006  Broad Street

Jingle Bell Jaunt continues one part of the mission of d(a)2: to increase foot traffic downtown and engaging customers in fun, yet effective methods.  This year, Westobou Festival joins d(a)2 in this effort as a primary sponsor of the Jingle Bell Jaunt – perfect timing to brand their new image (westoboufestival.com).

Participation in this event is open to members of Downtown Augusta Alliance only.  d(a)² welcomes all downtown businesses to  join the Alliance and begin actively participating in its events, promotions and initiatives.  For more information, visit dasquared.com.

Media Contacts:

Lara Plocha 706.951.0580 laraplocha@gmail.com

David Hutchison 706.826.1940 thebooktavern@gmail.com

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Big Yearly Fundraising Event to be held at Belle Meade Country Club

(Augusta, GA * October 29, 2010) — Dr. Glenn de Graaf recently announced that the Second Annual Augusta Arsenal Soccer Club Golf Tournament will be held at Belle Meade Country Club in Thomson, Georgia on Thursday, November 11^th, 2010 (Veterans Day). “We’re looking forward to continuing what has already come to be known as one of the best fundraising events of its kind in this part of the country,” reports Dr. de Graaf. “Individual and team participation packages and corporate sponsorships are selling briskly already, and we’re looking forward to another large turnout.”

Registration for the tournament, which will be played in the Lauderdale format,

starts at 11:00 A.M., followed by a 12:00 noon shotgun start.  The cost is $400 per four-man team and $100 for individuals. Immediately after the tournament’s completion, door prizes will be given away, a raffle will be held, and a Low Country Boil will be served.

Hole sponsorships for schools, businesses, and families are only $125.

Premium Raffle Prizes

This year’s tournament raffle features four great prizes with four chances to win:

- an HDK Golf cart

- a Deluxe Man’s Watch from Windsor Jewelers

- a Woman’s Custom Belt Buckle by Paul Pearman

- two (2) Trex Bicycles (from Outspokin’ and Trex)

Tickets are only $10.00 each, or you can buy four and get one free.

Other prizes include: * a set of Mizuno golf clubs * a Scotty Cameron putter * Foursome green fees at Forest Hills, Jones Creek, and Bartram Trail * a Callaway driver, * and so much more.

Call Dr. Glenn de Graaf for more details at (706) 495-6260, or visit the Web site at

http://AugustaSoccer.com (no “www” prefix necessary).

Public Relations assistance provided pro bono by The Clarion Company.

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AUGUSTA, Ga., Oct. 29, 2010 – After months of discussions, The MGHerring Group and the City of Augusta are pleased to announce that Costco is opening a new store in Augusta at the Village at Riverwatch.

“Today, we are pleased to announce that Costco has chosen Augusta as its newest location.  As the fifth largest retailer in the world with an average store producing $135 million in revenues per year, Costco also has established a sterling track record of a commitment to their employees as evidenced by their average wage at the store level is currently $48,000 company-wide for a mature store. In bringing over 175 new jobs to our community, Costco will provide a much needed opportunity to local citizens during the midst of difficult economic times and I know that I speak on behalf of the Augusta Commission and our entire community in saying that we are excited to have Costco as our newest community partner,” quotes Mayor Copenhaver.

The Augusta Commission agreed today to provide $10 million in Tax Allocation District financing for development expenses.  These funds could be used for purchasing the land, construction costs for preparing the site for vertical development, construction of roadways, site improvements, grading, engineering expenses, legal expenses related to the revision of the Tax Allocation District and document preparation, carrying costs and such other costs as are permitted by the TAD statute or otherwise agreed by the parties.

Adds Mayor Pro-Tem Al Mason, “What an awesome opportunity we have in Augusta-Richmond County to partner with such a well established and well respected company as Costco. The proposed Project will increase employment opportunities and sales taxes, and stimulate other development in Augusta.”

Costco Wholesale Corporation operates an international chain of membership warehouses, mainly under the “Costco Wholesale” name, that carry quality, brand name merchandise at substantially lower prices than are typically found at conventional wholesale or retail sources. The warehouses are designed to help small-to-medium-sized businesses reduce costs in purchasing for resale and for everyday business use. Individuals may also purchase for their personal needs.  The store hopes to hire 200-225 employees, 50% full-time and 50% part-time.  Every Costco employee is eligible to receive full benefits, including health, vision, pharmacy and short-term and long-term disability.

The Village at Riverwatch location will be Costco’s first store in the Augusta, Ga. market. Costco is excited about the opportunity to become a part of this community.  “Residents of Augusta, Ga. have been anticipating a new Costco store, and we look forward to making our opening on this site a reality,” said Joseph Portera, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer with Costco. “With a prominent location at I-20 and River Watch Parkway, the Village at Riverwatch is an ideal location for Costco.”

Once the financing package is approved, site preparation would begin immediately, with the hope that the store would be open by November 2011.

For more information, please contact Karyn Nixon at knixon@augustaga.gov or 706.821.1833.

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Click here to hear the podcast with Kim Romaner

The Chief Amplifier from POSSIBILITIES AMPLIFIED, Kim Romaner stops by the radio BUZZ and tells Bill and John about her business and how she develops success strategies for both people and businesses.  She also talks about her new book, “The Science Of Making Things Happen”.

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