Archive for category: News

Freeman’s Bakery has been serving delicious sweet treats since 1964. As they enter their 56th year in business, Owner Ellen Cooke is especially thankful for her employees and her customers. “I love my job!” she exclaims. Freeman’s team of experienced bakers are constantly working to bring new innovative ideas for the pleasure of their customers. They continue to serve their traditional items, including several options of cakes, cupcakes and cookies. They’ve also adopted the slogan “Just Ask!” Freeman’s is eager to make a special family recipe or experiment with a new recipe for their customers.

Over the years, Freeman’s has done more than just increase their menu of baked goods. In 2017, they expanded their space to offer more options in the gift shop including balloons, plates, and napkins, and they continue to have the largest candle selection in Florence County. “We really are your one-stop-shop for all of your celebrations,” Ellen says. Freeman’s will continue to offer quality products made from scratch (with no chemical additives) and quality service in a friendly atmosphere. “We are here for our customers to be everything that you need us to be. Thank you for your patronage for the last 55 years!” Freeman’s is always cooking up something new!

For more information on this story, check the February issue of VIP Magazine.

Staff Reports

Don Strickland will become interim executive director of the Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority on March 1 when Chuck MacNeil retires.

Strickland’s appointment was announced Friday by the authority’s chairman, Tyron Jones. The authority’s board of directors met Thursday and voted on the appointment.

MacNeil has served as PDRTA executive director since October 2011.

“Among his many accomplishments, most notably saving our agency from the brink of collapse in 2013, Chuck also identified the necessary qualities of a future leader in Don Strickland and became a mentor to him over these past few years. I have witnessed Don’s professional growth and development under Chuck’s guidance and the two have worked tirelessly and in sync to advance PDRTA to a stronger agency with a brighter future,” Jones said.

George Jebaily, a Florence City Council member, serves on the PDRTA board and headed the search committee.

“It made too much sense to try this approach when Don has been a significant contributor here all along,” Jebaily said. “The board has become very familiar with his capabilities, expertise with federal and state transportation offices, and knowledge that comes with his 10-plus years of working at PDRTA. We do not want to see Chuck go but, given the circumstances the board is most comfortable to continue on with Don in charge.”

The PDRTA board also intends to retain MacNeil’s services to assist Strickland with the transition where needed in the months ahead.

Read the article on SC Now here.

Staff Reports

FLORENCE, S.C. – The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce in partnership with BMW is hosting a one-hour “Doing Business with BMW” forum at 10 a.m. on Feb. 7 in the chamber office at 100 West Evans St.

Representatives from BMW will discuss upcoming opportunities for small-, veteran-, woman- and minority-owned businesses, as well as details on attending the BMW supplier diversity conference in Greenville on April 4.

“The Florence Chamber sends a group of local, small minority businesses to the BMW Conference every year, which started while building a rapport with BMW several years ago” said Les Echols, the chamber’s director of community and minority enterprise.

by Ardie Arvidson

FLORENCE, S.C. – Two colleagues from the Florence Center were neck and neck for the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year 2018 award, based on a point system. The award recipient was announced Wednesday at the annual Ambassador Luncheon, held at the chamber of commerce office in downtown Florence.
Brian Davison, director of sales, bested Patricia Taira, senior sales manager, by only 20 points to win top honors. Third place was awarded to David Fountain, who owns two UPS stores in Florence.

The award is based on points earned for participating in various chamber activities such as attending ribbon cuttings, Business After Hours and the Ambassador Luncheon, hosting an event or volunteering for a chamber event with the most points, a total of 30, earned for bringing a new paying member to the chamber. Seventy-seven new members joined the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce in 2018, said Jay Lavrinc, director of membership relations with the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

The top three ambassadors had a combined 2,013 points or 33 percent of the total points for the top 20 ambassadors. Davison earned 1,200 points for the year, Taira, 1,180 and Fountain 695.

Fifteen new ambassadors joined the chamber team in 2018, said Lavrinc. Fountain was one of them. Davison and Taira joined during 2017.

Davison said he joined because it was an opportunity for the Florence Center to be seen and represented to the public, to be a brand for the center.

Lavrinc said there was a “friendly competition” among the top contenders.

“I am very, very competitive,” Davison said. “And so is Patricia. She is just as competitive as I am.”

He said the competition was all in fun.

Davison said he didn’t record his points his first year as an ambassador because he didn’t believe in points. He said Lavrinc convinced him to keep track this past year, and it paid off. The Ambassador of the Year receives a plaque and a $100 gift certificate.

Lavrinc told the ambassadors that the new year has already begun with a ribbon cutting on Tuesday and that it is time to hit the ground running.

“We have a good group of ambassadors, and we appreciate all that you do,” said Mike Miller, president of the chamber. He said a lot is happening right now in Florence that is yet to be announced. He said Hyatt Place hotel and Carolina Bank, both downtown, should be having ribbon cuttings by mid-February.

Read the article on SC Now here.