1736 Magazine - Vision for the Future

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Dr. Benjamin Casella, left, and his father, Dr. Thomas Casella, are keeping the family business going at Casella Eye Center on Broad Street. The practice was started by Thomas Casella’s father, Dr. Victor Casella, on Jan. 15, 1948. began to make their way back to the urban core where they grew up, and Millennials were looking for a walkable community and affordable housing away from the suburbs. Real estate for downtown Augusta began to boom once more, prompting more restaurants and stores to gravitate to downtown, Woodard said. Just as things were beginning to pick up, the country was struck by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although many retailers and restaurateurs were preparing to open in downtown Augusta, that was placed on hold with the prediction by the Small Business Administration that one-third of businesses would meet their demise as a result of the virusinduced restrictions. But hope for downtown is just around the corner, Woodard contends. New restaurants, retail and offices are making plans to open in 2021 with efforts to cope with the pandemic. Present businesses have weathered through years of changes and growth and shared their experiences and plans with us. CUSTOMER SERVICE THE KEY TO SUSTAINING BUSINESS OVER A CENTURY Fashion changes each season, but a local retailer has stood the test of time by providing men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and shoes to the Augusta area for more than 120 years. Max and Rebecca Ruben opened Ruben’s Department Store in 1898 after emigrating from Eastern Europe, according to The Augusta Chronicle archives. Their son, Paul Ruben, owned and operated the store until 1979. His daughter, Bonnie Ruben, took over with her husband, Jeff Gorelick, who is now the vice president and general manager. Ruben’s longevity at the 900 block of Broad Street has allowed generations of families to frequent the retailer. The secret to the business’ continued success has been their customer service and the ability to provide hard-to-find sizes and items, the owners say. If they don’t have a product in the store, they’re able to find it for the customer and that keeps them coming back. “Most of the people who come in have known our clerks for 10, 20 or 30 years,” Gorelick said. “Service has been what we’re famous for. No size is too big or small for us.” Gorelick said a man recently came in for matching suits for him, 12 | 1736magazine.com
his son and grandson for a 75th birthday celebration. “That’s pretty cool when you think about it,” he said. Even after more than 120 years in business, Gorelick thinks the best has yet to come not only for downtown Augusta but Ruben’s as well. He said the store will be modernizing in the near future, but declined to share any specific plans. “But we’re going to keep the same customer service we always have,” he said. THREE GENERATIONS OF DOCTORS SEE REASON TO STAY Frog Hollow Tavern opened on Broad Street in 2010. Dr. Victor Casella opened Casella’s Eye Center on Jan. 15, 1948, after serving his country in World War II. “Broad Street was just booming,” said his son, Dr. Thomas Casella. When Casella took over the practice in 1978, the “boom” had dwindled as businesses moved to the recently demolished Regency Mall. But that didn’t keep people away completely, Casella remembers. Downtown rolled with the punches and drifted away from large retail and opened more restaurants and specialty stores. “We’ve always been a destination spot because people just wanted to come see us,” he said. In 2008, Casella’s son, Ben Casella, joined his practice. With a third generation added to the mix and Casella’s love for Client-Focused Property Brokerage &Development 706.736.0700 WWW.MEYBOHMCOMMERCIAL.COM 1736magazine.com | 13
Page 1 and 2: WINTER 2021 WATERWAYS EDITION FINAL
Page 3 and 4: 62 A PRODUCT OF PRESIDENT TONY BERN
Page 5 and 6: The view of downtown Augusta, Ga.,
Page 7 and 8: The Broad Street Bullies Grill is o
Page 9: Jeff Gorelick and Bonnie Ruben are
Page 14: Sean Wight, chef and owner of downt
Page 17 and 18: Jared Williams, left, and John Dunn
Page 19 and 20: Iconic local business By JOE HOTCHK
Page 21 and 22: Though Hildebrandt’s started maki
Page 23 and 24: The Hildebrandt family photographed
Page 25 and 26: Bob and Flo Morris check out the me
Page 27 and 28: All-Star Candidate Richmond Count
Page 29 and 30: Antoine Williamson opened Broad Str
Page 31 and 32: he noticed a lot of people would go
Page 33 and 34: Downtown Augusta expected to grow a
Page 35 and 36: We have a partnership agreement for
Page 37 and 38: The Georgia Cyber Center in downtow
Page 39 and 40: An artist’s rendering shows the p
Page 41 and 42: WHILE NOT EVERY PROPOSED PROJECT MA
Page 43 and 44: next six or seven years. Three muse
Page 45 and 46: the McDuffie Museum in Thomson. Thr
Page 47 and 48: High-efficiency chiller. Improvedco
Page 49 and 50: Augusta’s plans to replace James
Page 51 and 52: Money to build a replacement for th
Page 53 and 54: Augusta riverfront, Lock and Dam fu
Page 55 and 56: The locks give manmade control over
Page 57 and 58: Guests and dignitaries stand on the
Page 59 and 60: The snagboat Macon docks at the New
Page 61 and 62: Jumpstart your business with energy
Page 63 and 64:
Alex Griffin MANAGEMENT 2807 WYLDS
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ABOVE: “Invasive,” by Jen Garre
Page 67 and 68:
“What a Wonderful World,” by Le
Page 69 and 70:
“Popsicles,” by Craig Gray of K
Page 71:
FINAL WORDS Time to experience the
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1736 Magazine - Vision for the Future

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