A new western apparel store could be on its way to Augusta, soon. Richmond County Planning and Zoning is currently evaluating plans to build a Boot Barn at 102 Mason McKnight Jr. Pkwy., which would place it next to CarMax and near Northern Tools.
Along with cowboy boots, working boots and hiking boots, the Irvine, Calif.-based clothing retailer is mostly in the business of work, western and rodeo wear. The company experienced a 76% boom in sales since 2020, and generated over $1 billion in sales this fiscal year, catering to customers in “flyover states.”
Boot Barn has some 320 locations nationwide, most of them in Texas. Three are currently in Georgia, in Columbus, Gainesville and Valdosta; and three are in South Carolina, in Easley, Greenville and North Charleston.
The clothing brand submitted the project to Augusta on Oct. 4, and so all review and planning are in the earliest stages.
MORE: Around the Biz Block: Augusta and North Augusta welcomes new businesses
New car dealership opens
On the other side of the river, auto retailer Gerald Jones Buick GMC had its grand opening at the end of September at its new location at 490 Jefferson Davis Hwy.
Gerald Jones Auto Group is based in Augusta, on Washington Road. The ribbon-cutting of its Graniteville site came months after the auto seller acquired Johnson Motor Company in May.
AT&T Ribbon Cutting held at HUB
New AT&T Connected Learning Centers at the HUB for Community Innovation are helping bridge the digital divide in Augusta by providing internet access and educational tools for youth at Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta, RISE Augusta and Augusta University Literacy Center.
“Digital connectivity is essential to providing equity of opportunity, and the AT&T Connected Learning Center is a transformative step in creating better outcomes for our youth and the community as a whole,” said Kim Evans, President and CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta, in a news release. “The AT&T Connected Learning Center housed at Boys & Girls Clubs is a great example of community collaboration that will help us accomplish our mission of building great futures for our youth.”
As part of AT&T’s $2 billion commitment to address the digital divide, the goal of the centers is to encourage more families to get connected through free access to the internet and education resources that teach the value of broadband and how to use it safely and effectively.
Destination Augusta receives reaccreditation
Destination Augusta announced today that it has received reaccreditation from the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program, an international accreditation program developed by the Washington, D.C. based Destinations International.
In earning the accreditation, destination marketing organizations communicate to their community, stakeholders and potential visitors that their organization has attained a significant measure of excellence, according to a news release.
Destination Augusta gained its original accreditation in 2007 as the first accredited destination marketing organization in the State of Georgia.
“In our role to market Augusta as a destination and be a leader in developing our community for the benefit of residents and visitors, Destination Augusta is honored to receive the Destination Marketing Accreditation from Destinations International,” said Bennish Brown, President and CEO, in the news release. “We are very pleased to be recognized in the destination marketing community for providing outstanding services in accordance with international standards and benchmarks in this field.”
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
