The American Automobile Association (AAA) has sold the office for its local branch near Augusta Exchange.
The 3,754-square-foot building at 3601 Walton Way Ext. sold last month for more than $1 million in an exchange brokered by Sherman & Hemstreet.
While AAA is a nonprofit federation of motor clubs, the organization operates branch offices, like the Augusta location, offering travel booking and services, insurance and roadside assistance membership.
The Augusta site, acquired by AAA in 1994, sits at the bustling intersection of Walton Way Extension and Wheeler Road, neighboring retailers and residences with roughly 25,000 cars a day passing by.
However, AAA members have opted to get their products and services online—via websites or mobile apps—rather than visiting an office, even in a city thoroughfare teeming with commerce, leading the company to sell the office.
“In recent years, the way our members interact with us has shifted as they want increased flexibility in how they receive our services,” said an AAA spokesperson. “After consideration, AAA made the decision to sell our current office building on Walton Way Extension as part of a long-term strategy to better serve our members.”
The company added that it will continue to operate at the Walton Way Ext. location under a lease agreement until it finds a new office space in the area “that aligns with [its] future needs.” This move, the company stated, will have no effect on employees, member benefits or products and services, including emergency roadside assistance.
Last year, for Black History Month, AAA included Augusta in its Electric Vehicle Road Trip Guide, a booklet featuring maps and articles highlighting areas of significance in Black history throughout Georgia and South Carolina.
Skyler Andrews is a reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
