School of Dance Arts Joins Florence Chamber

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by Ardie Arvidson

School of Dance Arts celebrated joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday afternoon. Owner Devin Jennings cut the ribbon as staff and chamber ambassadors joined her.

School of Dance Arts was founded in 1972 by Barbara Howell Counts who later sold it to Cecilia Sprawls, Jennings said. Jennings purchased the studio in July.

Jennings said she taught at the school last year and has been a guest instructor. She has been teaching dance since high school. She has taught in Hartsville, Bennettsville, Florence and Camden.

Originally from Virginia, Jennings is a graduate of Coker College, where she studied dance. She now teaches dance at Coker University.

Jennings is certified through the American Ballet Theatre in their national training curriculum to teach ballet. She most recently became certified by Acrobatic Arts to teach Acro dance. In addition, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop are taught at the studio by her 25-member staff, which includes assistant teachers.

Jennings said she had added adult Yoga classes this year.

In her brochure, Jennings says School of Dance Arts provides conservative costuming, music choices and choreography for students.

She said their slogan is “Where excellence in dance begins.”

Jennings said she will be starting several new classes in January. Sign up will begin soon.

The dance studio, located at 1001 S. Cashua Drive in Florence, is open Monday through Thursday in the evenings.

For more information, visit: www.florenceschoolofdancearts.com or call 843-665-0606.

To read the full article on SC Now, click here.

Square Meal Market Joins Florence Chamber

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by Ardie Arvidson

The Square Meal Market celebrated its joining of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce on Thursday with a ribbon-cutting. Chamber ambassadors joined in the celebration. The Square Meal Market is at 163 W. Evans St. in downtown Florence.

The establishment is owned by three women: Shaelyn Williamson, Gennine Williamson and her sister, Rosalee Williamson, who is the operations manager.

The store opened in July.

Rosalee said her co-owners started out as a catering business. They were looking for a building for to do their catering, she said.

“When they pitched the idea for me to be the operations manager two years ago, I quit my job and came on board,” Rosalee said.

They recently invited her to be a co-owner.

“Shaelyn is the cook,” Rosalee said. “Gennine has the business mind, and I do the day-to-day operations.”

Rosalee said they offer healthier fast-food choices.

She said, “Our mission is to transform our communities’ palate one eclectic dish at a time.”

She said they are a restaurant and a market in one. In the front of the store they sell everything from jams to olive oil. Plans are to continue to provide fresh produce in season.

The menu includes sandwiches, soups and salads.

The most popular sandwich is the Italiano panini with choice of bacon or tomato jam, Rosalee said.

“The shrimp corn bisque is the favorite soup,” she added. “And the detox salad is very popular.”

She said the restaurant offers vegan choices and plans to offer breakfast in addition to its coffee, tea and muffins already on the menu.

Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Williams said they will be extending the hours to the weekend.

At the present, they have one additional employee, Lloyd Hailey.

The Square Meal Market stands where the Boxcar Market was previously located.

“We look forward to being a part of the downtown,” Rosalee said. “We can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

She said they joined the chamber for the networking opportunities and because they are part of downtown.

“We are super excited to be downtown and share our ideas with people and to show diversity in our cooking.

For more information, visit thesquaremealmarket.com.

To read the full article on SC Now, click here.

Chamber and PRISM Held Economic Equity and Inclusion Roundtable

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More than 30 people were in attendance as The Florence Chamber held an Economic Equity and Inclusion Roundtable event at the MUSC Floyd Cconference Center in Florence on Tuesday, October 29.

Keynote speaker, Rhonda Midgette presented “Diversity and Inclusion in the Right Doses – Choosing the Appropriate Measures and Strategies for Your Company”. A panel of business leaders included Dwayne Brockington, Scotty Davis, Tryon Jones and Candace Shiver.

Attendees learned about progress, shared opportunities for making a difference in their organizations and networked with others who share a common interest in promoting inclusive practices across all sectors of business and community.

Thank you to MUSC and all speakers and panelists that made this program possible.

Junior Leadership Holds Arts & History Day in Lake City

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The Junior Leadership of Florence County enjoyed a beautiful day in Lake City for their annual Art & History Day! Thanks to Sharon Brown with Lake City Creative Alliance, Kelli Meeker at Moore Farms Botanical Gardens, and all of the other Lake City businesses and organizations for the experience!

Chamber’s Wings and Chili Festival Take Center Stage in Downtown Florence

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by Ardie Arvidson

The aroma of barbecue permeated the 100 block of Dargan Street in downtown Florence on Friday night as the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce celebrated its annual “Kickin’ Chicken” wing and chili festival.

As Sideswiped performed on stage, the crowd gathered at tents where wings and chili were being served to sample and judge for the People’s Choice Award. Sixteen cookers competed in the wing competition and 11 cookers competed in the chili competition.

This is the sixth year that the Florence chamber has held the cook-off festival, which draws a larger crowd every year.

“We had more this year than last,” said Jay Lavrinc. He estimated more than 3,000 people attended the event. He said he sold 1,600 pounds of wings and more than 100 gallons of chili.

This was Phillip Harrington Jr. of Nucor’s first time making wings and chili for the event.

“It is really, really good,” said Josh Herring of Florence. “This is an event everyone should come to.”

He was with Sloane Shank, who said it was their first time attending the “Kickin’ Chicken” festival.

Herring said he was not disappointed.

Everyone had a favorite chili and wings.

“I like Victors the best,” said Debra Hill.

Tawala Milling said her favorite was the chili prepared by Vulcraft.

Mike Miller, president of the Florence chamber, said this is the chamber’s major fundraiser. He said the cooks prepared 1,700 pounds of wings this year.

“We sold out last year,” he said. “We didn’t want that to happen this year.”

The winners of the wings and chili cook-off were announced at the end of the evening.

The judges top chili makers were Coastal BBQ and Hilton Garden Inn. Taking top honors in the wing category were Duke Energy, Bellamy and Victors.

This year’s event was made possible by Raines Hospitality and Carolina Bank along with support from Willcox, Buyck & Williams, Victors Restaurant and South Carolina Federal Credit Union.

To read the full article on SC Now, click here.

Young Professionals of Florence Hosted Social with Seminar Brewing and Florence Area Humane Society for their “Yappy Hour”

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The Young Professionals of Florence saw a great turnout for the Yappy Hour vvent last night at Seminar Brewing in Florence.

Thank you to Seminar Brewing for hosting the event and catering to the YP group. Wet Nose Dogs played all night while having fun with all attending.

Thank you to all who came out and brought your furry friends to support the YP group. Without our dedicated Young Professionals,this program would not be growing as fast as it is. Last night YP raised nearly $600 to help support Florence Humane Society.

Look for The Young Professionals of Florence tent at The Pecan Festival on November 2,2019.

The next event will be a Lunch And Learn on November 21st at The Hyatt Place hotel.

Doctor Makes House Calls and Cuts Ribbon with Chamber

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by Ardie Arvidson

Doctors who make house calls are a rarity in today’s world, but Dr. Charles Louis Edwards wants to change that, at least in the Pee Dee area.

In mid-summer, Edwards opened My House Call Doctor. His office is at 650 Pamplico Highway, Suite C (in front of Food Lion).

“We bring primary care to you,” he told those gathered Thursday morning for the grand opening of his office. A ribbon cutting was hosted by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce to announce his membership in the chamber. Chamber ambassadors, his staff, friends and family joined in the ribbon cutting.

Edwards said he makes house calls as far away as Conway, Johnsonville, Darlington and Hartsville.

“The number of patients we are seeing is increasing every day,” he said. “This is a better way to primary care.”

Edwards said patients receive the best of care in the comfort of their own homes. He said his practice has up-to-date technology available so patients can access their medical records online.

For about six years prior, Edwards said, he worked in the hospital emergency room setting and saw firsthand a need for doctors who make house calls.

Board certified, Edwards specializes in internal medicine.

Home services include flu shots, vaccines, diagnostic testing — ultrasounds, X-rays and lab work.

In-office appointments are also available.

Edwards said his way of doing medicine is embraced by the homebound, mobility insecure, those who shouldn’t be around sick people and people who don’t want to spend a half a day in the doctor’s office.

Charlotte Hanna, PA, and Tammy Huckabee, nurse practitioner, work with Edwards. There five people on the staff, but Edwards said more doctors will be joining him soon.

Born and raised in Dillon, he earned his undergraduate degree from Francis Marion University and his medical degree from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.

His wife, Christena, and children, Madison, Paisley and Chase, joined him for the cutting of the ribbon.

Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Other times are available by appointment.

To make an appointment or for more information, call 843-619-2280 or visit www.myhousecalldoctor.com.

To view the full story on SC Now, click here.

Wholly Smokin’ Downtown Holds Ribbon Cutting

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by Ardie Arvidson

A ribbon cutting to celebrate Wholly Smokin’ Downtown’s membership in the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce was held Tuesday afternoon at the restaurant. Chamber ambassadors, family, friends and staff joined Jackie Travis, the owner, for the celebration.

The restaurant of “barbecue, ribs and a whole lot more” is located downtown in the 100 block of South Dargan Street.

Travis said she has been open since December 2014 and hers was one of the first restaurants to open in the revitalized downtown.

“I used to be a member of the chamber when we had Travis Jewelers,” she said. “I’ve seen a transition in the chamber. I can see they are deeply committed and involved with businesses and the community.”

Travis said, “It got me excited about being a member.”

Travis said she and her husband opened a little take-out business on Celebration on Boulevard after retiring as jewelers.

She said Andy Jeffords approached them by the invitation of Dr. John Keith, who owned the downtown building, about moving their business downtown.

“It was scary being one of the early comers to downtown,” she said. “But it has been an unbelievable experience. We look forward to the future.”

Travis said she loves being downtown.

“I love the vibe,” she said. “It has been an exciting ride.”

She said the name says everything about who they are. She said everything is smoked. The menu includes barbecue, pulled chicken, wings, ribs, brisket, sides that complement barbecue, and other items.

She said the restaurant is on the South Carolina BBQ Trail map and gets a lot of tourists. She said the events downtown also bring in business.

“We are one of the few barbecue restaurants where barbecue is full-service, order from the menu,” she said.

Wholly Smokin’ Downtown also has a bar with an extensive wine list, craft beers and cocktails.

“We have four flat-screen TVs for watching the game with friends,” she said.

Travis said they have a saying at the restaurant that Wholly Smokin’ is “a place where customers become friends and friends become family.”

The restaurant has a seating capacity of 99 and opens at 11 a.m. seven days a week. It closes at 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, at 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 8 p.m. Sunday.

Travis said she has lived in the Florence area for more than 40 years. She has a daughter, Sarah; who assisted with the ribbon cutting; and a son, Andrew, who lives in New York. Her husband, Bill Travis, passed away in 2017.

To read the full article on SC Now, click here.

Chamber to Host Economic Equity Roundtable October 29

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The public is invited to join the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 1 to 4 p.m. for the Economic Equity and Inclusion Roundtable.

The event will take place in the Floyd Conference Center of MUSC Health Florence Medical Center. The event will feature business leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs sharing ideas and energy around advancing diversity, inclusion and equity in business and the workforce.

Attendees will learn about progress, share opportunities for making a difference in your organization and network with others who share a common interest in promoting inclusive practices across all sectors of business and community.

This event includes a panel discussion and a presentation from keynote speaker, Rhonda Midgette, vice president of Human Resources at TD Bank.

The cost of the event is $10. Registration is available online at www.flochamber. com.

To read the full article on My Florence Today, click here.

Downtown Florence Will Get Another Hotel; City Will Renovate Theater

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by Ardie Arvidson

A third hotel is coming to downtown Florence.

The hotel will be a big part of a $65 million future mixed-use development project on the 300 block of West Evans Street. The development will include condos, an office complex and a parking garage.

This was among the news that city of Florence Downtown Development manager Ray Reich shared Monday when he spoke to the Florence Rotary Club.

The hotel will be part of a $65 million mixed-use project that will be developed across West Evans Street from the City Center.

The old Florentine building recently was demolished on the corner of West Evans and North Coit streets to make way for the project to begin, said Reich, who will retire at the end of the year.

Reich said he could not elaborate on the hotel other than to say it is in the contractual phase with developers.

Details should be forthcoming in the first quarter of 2020, he said, and while it won’t be completed in 2020, it will be started in 2020.

The hotel will join Hotel Florence and the Hyatt Place, which opened this year, in downtown Florence. Both hotels are managed by Raines Hospitality.

Private companies had considered renovating the Carolina Theatre, but talks went nowhere.

“We are going to do it,” he said of the city.

Reich said it will take a minimum of $2 million to renovate the theater.

He said the city of Florence has owned that building for a while.

Reich said the theater will be multi-functional with tiered seating on the main floor and most likely fixed seating in the balcony. He said they envisioned its use for things such as concerts for up-and-coming artists and dinner theater performances – entertainment that will appeal to young adults. Reich said the venue still will be configured as a movie theater.

Looking to 2020, Reich said there will be more public art initiatives, more restaurants and retail, and more apartments and condos, plus Francis Marion University’s transformation of the former Post Office Project into an additional health sciences building for which work already has begun.

In the past 10 years, Reich said more than $200 million has been invested in downtown projects; more than $135 million of that has been in the past five years, and more than $55 million in new projects have been completed in 2018-2019.

Downtown projects in 2019 have included the streetscape of the 300 and 400 blocks of West Evans Street, new downtown upscale condos, public art, the Griffin Plaza Splash Pad next to Wholly Smokin’ and in the near future a downtown walking loop with three routes.

Other 2019 projects, started or completed, include digital wayfinding, an FMU art gallery and the soon-to-open Leaf Lounge Cigar Bar and Lost Cajun Seafood, both on Dargan Street.

Reich said when he came to Florence, there were only two restaurants in the downtown area. He said several new restaurants have been part of the downtown’s growth. These include El Agave, Birds Nest, The Loft, Jazz on Dargan and Square Meal Market.

He also announced a new downtown event coming in on Dec. 13 called the Chocolate Crawl.

Reich, a native of West Virginia, came to Florence in 2011 from Sumter.

Reich said this will be his second attempt at retiring. He said the first time he was too young and not ready.

“This time I’m ready,” he said.

Reich said one of the most gratifying things about his eight years on the job has been the level of support from many sources.

“We have a great community here,” he said.

Reich said the accomplishments have been a team effort. He said Florence is lucky to have had about 15 local people who grew up here, were successful and decided to give back to the community. He said they recognized the importance of developing the downtown, taking the risk and investing early on.

“That has been rewarding to me,” he said

Reich said he will stay in Florence and watch the progress as Florence moves forward.