Credit union, restaurants opening
A former Evans car lot now houses a credit union that could help people buy a vehicle.
On July 26, Medical College of Georgia's Health Center Credit Union held the ribbon-cutting for its new Evans location in the former Suzuki dealership on Washington Road next to Fairway Ford.
The credit union is one of several businesses that recently celebrated a grand opening in Columbia County.
HCCU President Stacy Tallent said the Evans location opened July 17 as a full-service credit union and replaces their former branch on Columbia Road.
Charles Sanford, chairman of HCCU's board of directors, said it was the first branch the credit union has owned. All other branches, he said, "We've leased, begged and borrowed.
"...This is a grand location and all we have to do is divert some of that traffic in here and let them know about the great credit union movement," he said.
In Harlem, there's now a new carry-out pizza and sandwich shop with the June 29 grand opening of Buster's Pizza and Subs on N. Louisville Street, near the Laurel and Hardy Museum.
The restaurant has a 1940s theme with records, memorabilia and old Coca-Cola signs hanging throughout the shop, general manager Shirley Cassidy said. In addition to pizza and subs, Buster's offers salads with homemade dressings, wraps, spaghetti and even fresh-made pies.
Cassidy said Harlem residents were short on local dining options and so far business is going great.
"It's a small quaint place and we've been welcomed heartily by the Harlem people," she said.
Buster's is open for lunch and dinner Thursday-Saturday and lunch-only on Wednesdays.
In Grovetown, 22-year resident Cheryl Edwards recently opened Java & Cream, a coffee and ice cream shop, located in the Forest Plaza shopping center on Wrightsboro Road.
Edwards said her cafe also offers cold sandwiches, hot dogs, milkshakes and smoothies. She said the city's growth reinforced her decision to locate in Grovetown.
"Grovetown is growing and I figured we could accomplish something out here," she said.
In Martinez, Rick Pugh will soon open his first Just Fresh Bakery, Cafe and Market in the Petersburg Shoppes plaza at Furys Ferry Road and The Pass.
Just Fresh Bakery offers made-to-order hot and cold sandwiches on homemade breads, pastries, wraps, soups and salads, Pugh said. The cafe will be open Monday through Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays.
Pugh said his cafe should have its grand opening before the end of August and will also offer catering.
Also opening in Evans on July 18 was Rack Room Shoes in the Mullins Crossing shopping center. The shoe retailer operates more than 300 stores in 24 states, according to a company news release.