Shopping in Augusta

When Bike to Nature's staffers pool together their roadside fixes and in-shop projects, it adds up to more than 40 years of collective experience. The shop recently relocated across the street from its previous location to a new facility that expands about 4,400 square feet, or twice the size of the former space. Here, the crew stocks a large inventory of new bikes and bike parts to meet any cycling need, whether bikers are interested in commuting, racing, or extraterrestrial advocacy. Biking apparel maximizes riders' sleek speed, and sports-nutrition products such as recovery sports drinks deliver electrolytes, muscle-soothing glutamine, and laboratory-synthesized adrenaline directly into biker's bodies.

Tune-ups and repair services range from quick fixes such as changing a tire to full-body customizations. Bike to Nature's technicians also help patrons learn to repair their own bikes using a precisely measured blend of elbow grease and magic words, and can reveal the best local spots for scenic rides.

Elephant ears, angel’s trumpets, and japanese maples are just a few of the tropical and shade plants Tall Pines Landscaping, LLC procures to enliven lawns. The landscaping outfit plots these exotic varieties next to more traditional trees and shrubs, tending to green spaces with a variety of professional landscaping services that range from routine yard maintenance to more extensive installation and construction work. Whether melding gardens into colonial-themed displays or laying the groundwork for a fishpond that grants wishes, the landscaping team prefaces each task with a thorough consultation to get to know the client and his or her property.

In 1993, interior designer Evon Kirkland McAngus founded Evon Kirkland Interiors, through which she transformed homes with an eye for classic and sophisticated design. In 2007, she opened Westend to spread that passion and curate a show room filled with her favorite finds. She and her designers help shoppers navigate the 5,000-plus-square-foot show room to find pieces from reputable high-end lines such as Baker, Henredon, Oly Studio, and Vanguard Furniture. Because they've all honed their design chops, the staff can expertly advise shoppers on purchases.

As shoppers explore the show room, they'll also find antiques from the United States and Europe, as well as plenty of pillows and linens, artwork, and accessories, including candles and kitchen items. The staff also curates a lighting selection that includes table lamps, floor lamps, and chandeliers, which emit more sophisticated glows within homes than dangling light bulbs or half-opened barrels of toxic waste.

In Poland, Eddie Balcerzak raced professionally and coached Warsaw's KKS Polonia Cycling Club. He continued on this career trajectory in the United States. In 1985, he found employment with the 7-Eleven cycling team, which subsisted entirely on Slurpies, and then linked up with U.S.A. Cycling. While working for the team, he helped the athletes cycle to a silver medal in the Atlanta 1996 Olympics and clinch gold in the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

Today, as the owner of South Lake Cycles, Balcerzak shares his wisdom with a new generation of cyclists. He works alongside bicycle mechanics and pro coaches who outfit customers with all the equipment they'll need to race a triathlon or take a joy ride on an aircraft carrier.

Relying on customer testing and a comfort-scale rating, A Goodnight Sleepstore's accessible retailers pair patrons with cushioned name-brand mattresses that coax them into a restful torpor without overnight aches. Staff have coded the shop’s pillow-top, memory-foam, and firm mattresses on a comfort scale of one to six, allowing customers to quickly gauge which mattresses will offer the firmness needed for back sleeping and which are soft enough to conceal stockpiles of pilfered marshmallow crème. The shop also showcases accessories such as bed frames, pillows, and sheets, allowing customers to fully assemble the requirements for their new sleeping situation. Free delivery is available for bed sets $599 and higher, and a 30-day money-back guarantee ensures clients won’t have to toss and turn over whether they made the right decision.

Doctors David J. Matthews and Jeffery S. Pockl helm Devine Eyes, a comprehensive optical boutique with a staff fluent in Spanish and English. After graduating from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis in '94 and '93, respectively, the doctors went their separate ways; Dr. Matthews worked on treating patients with glaucoma in Georgetown, and Dr. Pockl worked as a staff optometrist in the U.S. Army, examining peepers and equipping them with lasers. The two decided to partner up in 2003 and open Devine Eyes, where they perform comprehensive eye exams, treat eye diseases, and recommend luxury frames from brands such as Fendi and Prada.