Yusuf Lorgat is getting so used to doing business in Augusta he’s considering moving here from
Atlanta.
Late Tuesday afternoon, Lorgat purchased the iconic Helga’s Pub and Grille business and building
for $325,000. Sherman and Hemstreet represented Lorgat and the seller in the transaction.
An adjacent parking lot next to the property at 2015 Central Ave., is also included in the deal.
Lorgat owns three gas station\convenience stores in South Richmond County and will try to
duplicate the success he’s had with the Bukana’s Sports Bar in Norcross, Ga., and Sky Bar in
Atlanta.
“We’re going to add several new TV’s, clean and paint Helga’s,” said Lorgat after leaving the
closing table.
No indication yet if he’ll keep the same “pub grub” — such as chicken wings, burgers, fries,
cheese sticks, onion rings and more or run their famous “happy hour specials.” Lorgat will
continue to lease the jukebox, pool tables and dart machines to blend with the new sports bar
theme.
Lorgat hired a new manager who will replace the owner\operator, 79-year-old David Greenfield,
who felt it was time to sell, due to health issues.
Greenfield bought Helga’s Pub and Grille from a real-life lady named Helga in 2006 after she
bartended and operated it for nearly 30 years.
He sold it in 2012 after health issues and had to re-possess it 18 months later after the new owner
defaulted on payments.
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Greenfield has operated Helga’s since 2014 until selling to Lorgat. Greenfield also created and
operated the Sandwich Tavern in 1984 on Wheeler Road and the Limelight Café from 1994-2005
now on Washington Road.
A Sherman and Hemstreet spokesperson said the 2,520 foot building was listed at the onset of
the pandemic on April 2, 2020, which made it difficult to sell.
“We went through a few buyers to find the one that would be the best fit to be able to make the
concept work on Central Avenue. General retail and office space on Central Avenue has been
very strong the last few months,” said Sherman and Hemstreet broker Joe Edge.
The new owner agrees and says everyone, including Richmond County officials, have been
helpful.
He’ll continue to commute from Atlanta until he can convince someone to relocate.
“My wife doesn’t want to move,” he chuckled.
Neil Gordon is a Business Writer with The Augusta Press. Reach him at neil.gordon@theaugustapress.com
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