Archive for year: 2018

“We’re very excited about the new renovations,” Godwin said. “We’re excited we have a building to match our personality. This is going to be a great place to bring life into the world that is both family and baby friendly.”

“We have been anticipating this for more than six months,” Godwin said. “It was a huge undertaking, but one that was well worth it after seeing the final product.”

The staff gave tours for the first time to ambassadors from the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce and other business leaders from around the area.

Godwin said some of the technologies include an all-new automatic lighting system and several safety features to make the birthing process easier on families. The rooms also have more space so that more family members can be involved in the delivery.

“Normally we have the entire family participate in the birth,” Godwin said. “Whatever the mom’s birth plan is, we do whatever we can to incorporate that.”

“It is my opportunity to be used as God would have me be used,” Godwin said. “It’s my calling and it’s my opportunity to give back because God has given me so much. To be able to be part of a family and welcome in a new life is an experience that I can’t even put into words. It never gets old.”

“I can go in and experience a live birth today and I think that I’ll be crying more than the family is,” Godwin said.

Carolinas Hospital will hold a community open house from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 10.

For more information, visit carolinashospital.com.

SCNow Web Article – Carolinas Hospital Women’s Center in Florence celebrates renovations

Mayor Stephen Wukela said the city was excited to open the new complex.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Wukela said. “The soccer community and the community at large is excited. This is a fine facility and it will serve our young people well and generate an enormous amount of economic activity as well.”

Wukela said the soccer complex, located right off I-95 on US-76, is the first of many projects to be completed this year. The city looks to open the brand new Pearl Moore Gym on Barnes Street, and will have about $15 million in assorted investments to use in the parks and recreation system.

“We’ve already seen the impacts of sports tourism here in Florence,” Wukela said. “What we’ve found is that we can build facilities that are of higher quality, funded by partners like the Drs. Bruce & Lee Foundation and the massive amount of money that comes from the hospitality tax, coming from those that stay in our hotels. Through that, you see economic development. As you see hotels and restaurants begin to pop up here, you’re going to continue to see growth.”

The Drs. Bruce & Lee Foundation donated more than 90 acres of property to the city and contributed another $6 million toward field design and construction. The foundation is also providing additional funding, pledged at $1.5 million, for construction and design of a Soccer Center that will soon be built on the site.

“We hope that this property will not just be a great soccer complex, but that it will develop,” said Edward Floyd, board member of the Drs. Bruce & Lee Foundation. “There are many other things in the works out here. Florence is doing great and we have a great community filled with excellent leaders.”

The South Carolina Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department provided a $50,000 grant to assist with project construction. The city contributed to the project with $395,000 for water, sewer and storm water utilities and has also budgeted for staffing and materials for ongoing expenses.

Florence County helped the city by funding the relocation of a portion of Twin Church Road for the installation of a new entrance road to the complex through the proceeds from a countywide penny capital sales tax at $1,040,000.

“This is a wonderful project,” Florence County Councilman Willard Dorriety said. “Soccer has now surpassed baseball as the No. 1 played youth sport in the United States. The economic development that this can bring to this area and transform this intersection is important. We all need to continue to work together for the betterment of our community.”

The Florence Soccer Complex begins play with the first recreation league games on Saturday.

SCNow Web Article – Florence Soccer Complex opens

Blake Pate, store owner and operator of the Chick-fil-A at 2705 David H McLeod Blvd., took over the restaurant in June of 2017.

Blake’s father, David, was the original operator of Chick-fil-A in Florence and retired in May of 2017.

“This was Chick-fil-A’s concept when the drive-thru was built back in the mid-1990s,” Pate said. “Chick-fil-A was growing, but not at the capacity that we are now. Dad, who had a location inside the mall, saw that there was a spot available and they moved on it. This really was originally built as a way to meet people’s needs outside of the mall to basically make it as fast and as convenient as possible.”

Pate said a lot has changed in the past two decades.

“Over time, Chick-fil-A’s mindset has evolved,” Pate said. “The service model we have today, we want to take care of people the best we can. I think most people understand that this building has kind of been outgrown. The idea has been to get out of this location, which is only about 1,500 square feet, and into a location that better serves our customers in a way that they’ve been accustomed to by being able to talk to guests and deliver meals.”

Chick-fil-A will remain open during the construction of the new building in February, March and part of April. The plan is for the drive-thru to close in April, as it is bulldozed to make way for a parking lot.

Pate said the current projection is for the new restaurant to reopen in June.

“Any time you put dates on it, people automatically assume,” Pate said. “It’s all subject to change depending on the weather and that’s the major hurdle for us. We’d like to get it done by then, but there can be some obstacles. We will keep people up to date on our social media accounts and do our best to relay information.”

Pate said the location for the Chick-fil-A next to Magnolia Mall and across the road from the Florence Center has been instrumental in the success of the restaurant.

Pate said the interstate also has been a factor in keeping the restaurant where it is as opposed to moving to a different location in Florence or the Pee Dee area.

“I think Chick-fil-A recognizes that this part of town is still growing,” Pate said. “Being right off the interstate is a major boon for us. Because of Florence’s location, we’re the halfway point for a lot of places. We’ve been here for a long time and we look forward to being here for a much longer time.”

Pate said he is excited for many groups of people to get to experience the new restaurant, including his employees, the customers and his father.

“He didn’t have the opportunity to have a “regular-type Chick-fil-A,” Pate said. “For him to finally be able to see it happen is amazing. I’m very excited for our employees, as well. Working in a drive-thru only restaurant is quite a challenge. We want to be able to provide the best service and that makes me excited for our customers. It’s something that’s going to be beneficial for all parties.”

For more information and updates, follow Chick-fil-A at Magnolia Mall’s Facebook page.