Let's Go Shopping!
If you are in Augusta during the first week of April, then you are most certainly here for the Masters® Golf Tournament. But what else can you do?
Why not shop?
Augusta is certainly among the champions of this art, offering something in about every part of town.
At the Augusta Mall, near Bobby Jones Expressway and Wrightsboro Road, "prepare to be delighted," as the mall's Web site (www.augustamall.com) proclaims.
Anchored by five major department stores, the mall offers more than 120 other sites ranging from such specialties as apparel, bath, cards, gifts and books to art, jewelry, shoes, sporting equipment, toys and games, as well as quick-serve and sit-down dining.
The mall is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12:30 to 6 p.m. Sundays, with extended shopping hours during the Christmas season.
There are smaller mall forms, too, and you should begin investigating at the Surrey Center -- right next to Augusta National Golf Club at the corner of Highland Avenue/Berckman's Road at Wheeler Road.
Three levels of Surrey shopping offer fashion (such as the classic ladies clothing at AllTogether), specialties, services, and dining and entertainment (such as the French Market Grille, voted Augusta's best restaurant seven years in a row).
Newer places to boost consumer spending include the Augusta Exchange shopping center, home to such mainstays as Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Old Navy, Rack Room Shoes, Sports Authority, Goody's and Borders Books & Music. Or there's Augusta West Parkway, home to another mainstay, Burlington Coat Factory.
Want to get away from the mall or shopping center atmosphere, perhaps?
How about shopping for some antiques?
Antique Market on the corner of Fury's Ferry and Washington Road is one such classic store. It offers a wide selection of antique furnishings and rugs. Just a hop, skip and jump down Washington Road is the Antique Collector, which is in the old Ethan Allen building across from Applebee's.
Moving downtown, 1285 Broad is not only home to a nice antique store, but next to Ambrosia in the Garden -- a store not to be missed! Also downtown are The Armchair (1447 Broad), Downtown Antique Mall (1243 Broad), Logan and Co. (1255 Broad), The Marketplace Antiques (1208 Broad), Merry's Trash & Treasure (1236 Broad) and Riverwalk Antique Depot (505 Reynolds), located in the old train depot.
Not an antique store but also not to be missed is The Raven's Hoard (131 12th St.) for hand-made jewelry and art, as well as the gift shop at Sacred Heart Cultural Center for some nifty Augusta souvenirs.
Perhaps you've found yourself on "The Hill," home to historic Summerville. It was here that -- because sand hills intercepted westerly breezes and made it cooler than the steamy climate downtown -- Augustans ultimately flocked over the years and fashioned a resort part of town.
Stores of note in the Summerville area include Ann Spivey Antiques (2611 Central Ave), Antique Gallery (2055 Walton Way), Antiques & Furnishings and the Consignment Shop (1421 Monte Sano Ave.), Days Gone By (1401 Monte Sano Ave.) and Trinkets, Trash & Treasures (2107 Kings Way). Famished after that antique shopping and ready for a luxury meal on The Hill? Head for the Partridge Inn on Walton Way.
Are you an adventurous sort? An afternoon spent in Aiken, S.C. is a treat.
A stroll along Laurens Street will bring you up close and personal with The Artist's Parlor, Plum Pudding, The Aiken Antique Mall and The Curiosity Shop among others. Lunch is a must at Malia's -- with raspberry pie for dessert. Also in Aiken you will find York Cottage Antiques at 409 Hayne Ave. -- an excellent source for antique silver.
--Micki Getson
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