There’s a new pizza parlor coming to town, and fans of the original Southbound Smokehouse on Central Avenue won’t need directions.
Both the Planning and Development and Richmond County Sheriff’s Office have recommended approval of an alcohol license for Soul City Pizza, and two of the applicants listed — Brian Brittingham and George Claussen — are the owners of the original Southbound, which was closed in the summer of 2021.
The applicant for the new business is Andrew Crumrine, who formerly operated Crum’s on Central at the same location from 2008 to 2014.
The application requested approval for beer and wine sales but not for selling liquor or allowing dancing.
The location has been shuttered since the owners of Southbound chose to close the business before the city was set to revoke its liquor license following a police raid on June 10, 2021. Police cited the owners after finding underage drinking and the illegal operation of a dance hall at Southbound.
MORE: Southbound Smokehouse Raided June 10
In a press release at the time, Brittingham and Claussen lamented the closing of Southbound Smokehouse the same week as the six-year anniversary of the business opening.
“Unfortunately, recent events have portrayed our beloved business in a negative light. We have always attempted to operate our business in compliance with local codes and ordinances and we’ll always continue to do so,” the owners said in the press release.
MORE: Southbound Smokehouse on Central Avenue to Close
Also in the release, Brittinham mentioned a potential establishment in Columbia County.
“We are excited at the opportunity to focus our efforts on opening an Evans location in the near future,” Brittingham said in the press release.
Brittingham said the idea of opening a venture in Evans is not done away with, but that Soul City is taking the energy and focus for the time being.
The Augusta Commission will officially approve or deny the application in the meeting on Jan. 4.
Tyler Strong is the Business Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at tyler@theaugustapress.com
