Businesses in Augusta and North Augusta Prepare for Spring Growth

As the GreenJackets return home, local businesses are seeing signs of increased foot traffic and expansion plans.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:49pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a collection of premium business objects such as a polished metal paperweight, a sleek laptop, and a glass of craft cocktail arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic seamless background, conceptually representing the abstract ideas of growth, strategy, and community investment.As businesses in Augusta and North Augusta prepare for a surge in spring growth, a polished still life captures the optimism and strategic planning behind their expansion.Augusta Today

Businesses in downtown Augusta and North Augusta, South Carolina are preparing for spring growth as the weather warms up and the local baseball team, the GreenJackets, returns home to SRP Park. Managers at local restaurants and shops are reporting an uptick in customers and are making plans to expand their operations, despite some ongoing construction challenges. The businesses are optimistic that the growth and revitalization of the area will continue.

Why it matters

The return of warmer weather and the GreenJackets' home games signal the start of the busy spring and summer seasons for businesses in the Augusta and North Augusta areas. After a challenging winter, these businesses are hoping to capitalize on increased foot traffic and consumer spending to boost their revenues and expand their operations.

The details

Businesses like Fifth and Fire, Southbound Smokehouse, Sosal, and Antonio's Italian Eatery are all reporting signs of spring growth, including more customers dining outside and making plans to expand. However, some businesses have faced challenges due to ongoing construction projects in the area. Despite the temporary inconveniences, the business owners remain optimistic that the long-term growth and revitalization of downtown Augusta and North Augusta will benefit their operations.

  • As the weather warms up and pollen appears, businesses are seeing more customers come out of 'winter hibernation'.
  • The GreenJackets, the local minor league baseball team, are returning home to SRP Park for their first weekend games of the season.
  • One restaurant, Antonio's Italian Eatery, is planning to expand its operations in July 2026.

The players

Samantha Riffle

The assistant manager and bar manager at Fifth and Fire restaurant.

Peyton Faugl

The assistant manager at Southbound Smokehouse restaurant.

Andi Klinginsmith

The general manager at Sosal restaurant.

Jordan Crane

The manager at Antonio's Italian Eatery restaurant.

GreenJackets

The local minor league baseball team that plays its home games at SRP Park.

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What they’re saying

“As soon as the weather starts warming up and you see a little bit of pollen on your windows, everyone kind of crawls back out of that whole winter hole and comes back out and wants to sit outside on the patio and get some drinks with their friends and that sort of thing.”

— Samantha Riffle, Assistant Manager and Bar Manager, Fifth and Fire

“Whenever we were first here, we were told there would be tons of apartments, tons of shops and everything. Obviously, those things take time and we've been here since the beginning and now seeing all that stuff come to fruition, it's been amazing.”

— Peyton Faugl, Assistant Manager, Southbound Smokehouse

“You've got to break some eggs before you make a cake. So while it's not nice right this minute, I have full faith that it's going to be. I've seen how quickly they've moved down the blocks working on the construction, and I just know it's gonna be great.”

— Andi Klinginsmith, General Manager, Sosal

“The growth that goes on down here is gonna be big for us and just community in general, so we're looking forward to it.”

— Jordan Crane, Manager, Antonio's Italian Eatery

What’s next

Antonio's Italian Eatery is planning to expand its operations in July 2026, taking advantage of the expected growth and revitalization in the area.

The takeaway

Despite some temporary construction challenges, businesses in downtown Augusta and North Augusta are optimistic about the spring and summer seasons, with plans to expand operations and capitalize on increased foot traffic and consumer spending. The return of the GreenJackets and warmer weather are seen as positive signs for the local economy.