business

Rick Skoglund owns Carquest Auto Parts stores in Oglethorpe and Wilkes counties, in addition to Mathews Used Cars in Crawford and Rick’s Pit Stop in Lexington. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

Rick Skoglund owns Carquest Auto Parts stores in Oglethorpe and Wilkes counties, in addition to Mathews Used Cars in Crawford and Rick’s Pit Stop in Lexington. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

Q&A: Skoglund’s restaurant background serves him well

Morgan Quinn
Thursday, August 25, 2022
Rick Skoglund owns and manages the Carquest Auto Parts stores in Oglethorpe and Wilkes counties, in addition to Mathews Used Cars in Crawford and Rick’s Pit Stop in Lexington.
Todd Crowe, foreground, and Jared Johnson of Akridge Fence Company of Arnoldsville install fencing around Patriot Farm Supply on Highway 78. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

Todd Crowe, foreground, and Jared Johnson of Akridge Fence Company of Arnoldsville install fencing around Patriot Farm Supply on Highway 78. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

Patriot Farm Supply opens, specializes in poultry equipment

Wade Cheek
Thursday, July 28, 2022
The owners of Patriot Farm Supply hope to meet the demands of Oglethorpe County’s growing chicken industry.
Cafe Racer owner Chris Hart is expanding his restaurant to what will be a newly constructed building on West Broad Street in Athens. (Photo/Jack Casey)

Cafe Racer owner Chris Hart is expanding his restaurant to what will be a newly constructed building on West Broad Street in Athens. (Photo/Jack Casey)

Cafe Racer to open in Athens, but keep Crawford location

Morgan Quinn
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Cafe Racer is gearing up to open a location on West Broad Street in Athens by this fall. Four years of experimenting in its trailer facing Highway 78 in Crawford gave the cafe the opportunity to polish and form its identity before moving to a bigger, more established space.
Owner Jason Booth works on a guitar for a customer. Booth says it takes around 30 hours to build a guitar from start to finish. (Photo/Colt Yeargin)

Owner Jason Booth works on a guitar for a customer. Booth says it takes around 30 hours to build a guitar from start to finish. (Photo/Colt Yeargin)

From dead wood to Deadwood

Colt Yeargin
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Jason Booth didn't see why he couldn’t step foot into the world of guitar making.    He had a background in interior trim work, so in 2004, Booth decided to build his first guitar.    The rest is history.    “It was something I was interested in, and then it became a passion.
Carrie Faris has spent a year planning and working on her new convenience store called Carrie’s Corner, which opened Monday in Stephens. (Submitted Photo)

Carrie Faris has spent a year planning and working on her new convenience store called Carrie’s Corner, which opened Monday in Stephens. (Submitted Photo)

Carrie’s Corner Store & Cafe opens

Morgan Quinn
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Carrie Faris said her first couple of days have been “steady, not too busy.” She owns Carrie’s Corner, a convenience store that opened Monday in Stephens. A cafe is in the plans, but she said Tuesday that she’s still waiting on an inspection.   “Fingers crossed this will be soon,” she said.
Oglethorpe Small business index score graph

Oglethorpe Small business index score graph

County No. 1 for small business

News Staff
Thursday, December 30, 2021
  ATLANTA — Oglethorpe County has the strongest small business presence in Georgia, according to a new study.

Goodness Grows in search for new owner

Alden Lisse
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Goodness Grows closes before Christmas every year and remains closed to retail customers, except by appointment, until March.    Rick Berry, the co-founder and owner of Goodness Grows, died last month and left the Lexington nursery to Kurt Wolfe, who is looking to sell it before next spring.
Danny Sanders, owner of Oglethorpe County Feed and Hardware Supply, said holiday sales have been up this year. (Photo/Sarah White)

Danny Sanders, owner of Oglethorpe County Feed and Hardware Supply, said holiday sales have been up this year. (Photo/Sarah White)

Local businesses maintain, see growth in holiday shopping

Thomas Ehlers
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Some Oglethorpe County businesses are cashing in on the rise in U.S. holiday spending this year.   Oglethorpe County Feed and Hardware Supply owner Danny Sanders says business has increased this holiday season, both in foot traffic and in sales.
Todd Pulliam retired from his career in law enforcement to open Pulliam Tree Service, which expanded into wood production just before COVID-19 hit in 2020. (Submitted Photo)

Todd Pulliam retired from his career in law enforcement to open Pulliam Tree Service, which expanded into wood production just before COVID-19 hit in 2020. (Submitted Photo)

Pulliam a natural for the tree, wood buisness

Mackenzie Tanner
Thursday, December 23, 2021
As a teenager, Todd Pulliam helped his grandfather take down oak trees for neighbors and locals and turn them into firewood for their wood stoves. It was from this time he spent with his grandfather that he found his passion and inspiration to start a tree service business.
Wingate Downs converted his photography studio into a cabin called Oak Ridge Lodge. It and the surrounding 20 acres have become a popular destination for wedding and fans of Georgia football opponents. (Submitted Photo)

Wingate Downs converted his photography studio into a cabin called Oak Ridge Lodge. It and the surrounding 20 acres have become a popular destination for wedding and fans of Georgia football opponents. (Submitted Photo)

Oglethorpe County rentals growing in popularity

Mackenzie Tanner
Thursday, December 2, 2021
Jim Cabaniss’ 7,200-square-foot home in Stephens is so popular it's booked from next May through August.   “I am drawing out-of-state people, nobody from Georgia,” he said.