Duck Donuts Is Open For Business

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Deep Patel along with family, attendees and Chamber Ambassadors, cut the ceremonial ribbon as their Duck Donuts location joined the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce on June 7th. Duck Donuts is located at 1360 Celebration Boulevard in Florence.

The first Duck Donuts location opened in Outer Banks in Duck, North Carolina in 2007 with the goal of serving warm, fresh donuts. Duck Donuts currently has over 100 locations across the country. Duck Donuts also serves coffee and an assortment of beverages and sundaes.

To read the full story, click here.

Florence County Museum ‘Recollects’ On 10 years

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The Florence County Museum is reminiscing and celebrating 10 years in its new home with its latest exhibition Recollect. The exhibit describes the history of the museum and invites the viewer to take a closer look at what attributes make collection items meaningful.

The exhibit explores the past, present and future of the museum’s work, including some its first pieces acquired by Jane B. Evans of Florence. She used surplus war relief funds to purchase southwestern pottery from the Museum of New Mexico in Santa Fe — 1,600 miles away.

Upon entering the exhibit visitors are prompted to scan a code for an interactive experience on their headphones. There are prompts along the way asking questions to deepen one’s thoughts on the displays. One such being how do you think the pottery traveled from Santa Fe to Florence? Search the gallery for clues. Spoiler alert! Pick up one of the folded programs located on the right wall of the exhibit. This offers more information about the art and serves to spark curiosity with a challenge before you depart.

To read the full story, click here.

Lake City Lands $1 Million Infrastructure Grant

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When flooding impacts a community, it can be a costly effort to fix the problem. For one Lake City flood-prevention plan, a $1 million grant awarded May 28 has kick started funding for a major storm water project.

The $1 million awarded to Lake City by the S.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority is one of 36 project grants in 22 counties. The grants total more than $25 million dedicated to critical infrastructure upgrades across South Carolina.

To read the full story, click here.

American Cancer Society Featured On ChamberLink Radio

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Chinel Boating, Senior Community Development Manager for American Cancer Society, was the Florence Chamber’s guest this past weekend on ChamberLink Radio talking about programs and services that help manage cancer treatment and recovery. We encourage you to tune-in every Sunday from 12:00-12:30pm on LIVE 95.3FM in Florence, SC.

This program is brought to you by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Apartment and Corporate Relocation Services (ACRS) and Furniture Services, Inc. (FSI) Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

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Diana Kelly along with family and Chamber Ambassadors, cuts her ribbon joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Apartment and Corporate Relocation Services (ACRS) and Furniture Services, Inc. (FSI) have a rich history of providing top-notch furniture rental and corporate housing solutions.

Recognizing the growing demand for corporate housing, ACRS was founded in 1996, offering a comprehensive range of services tailored to the needs of business travelers and corporate clients. With fully furnished apartments, personalized furniture packages, and flexible lease terms, ACRS became a trusted name in the industry, catering to short-term projects, relocations, and extended stays.

FSI’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has been unwavering throughout its nearly four decades of operation. With warehouses in Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville, and a dedicated team of 75 full-time employees, the company has built a solid reputation for excellence in design and reliability, consistently exceeding client expectations.

To read the full story, click here.

Ample Storage Offer Move In Special

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$35 is all it takes to get a unit at Ample Storage Center!  That covers your first month’s rent, insurance, and even a lock! We even have climate-controlled units! Stop by today!

Raines To Operate 16 Assets For Atlantic Hotels Group

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The hospitality management, development and investment company, Raines has entered into a joint venture with Atlantic Hotels Group that adds 16 properties to the Raines’ management portfolio and expands the company’s operations into the Texas market.

The new additions to the Raines management portfolio include Hilton, Marriott and IHG hotels in the Dallas and Waco, Texas, markets. Raines has established an office in Dallas and is sharing office space with Atlantic Hotels Group in order to be close to the new hotels and provide a launchpad for further expansion in the region. Several members of the Atlantic Hotels Group executive team will join the Raines team.

This deal was spearheaded by Kerry Ranson, partner and president of operations at Raines, and Perry Molubhoy, CEO of Atlantic Hotels Group. The two men have known one another for the better part of 20 years and had worked together in “multiple peer groups,” as Ranson described it. “Getting to know someone, you start to see similarities as far as beliefs in how things work in our business,” he said. As the COVID-19 pandemic began to ease, the two men began discussion opportunities to work together. “It took two years of discussions and … making sure all those pieces could come together,” he recalled. Seeking a partner with infrastructure in place that could help Atlantic Hotels Group grow the company’s management side, Molubhoy warmed to the idea of collaborating with Ranson.

To read the full story, click here.

Carsten To Be Next Florence Chamber Chairman

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Jamie Carsten, Executive/VP at Anderson Brother Bank in Florence. will be the new chairman of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, beginning July 1.

Carsten replaces Drew Chaplin of Palmetto Commercial Real Estate, who will serve as past chair during the upcoming fiscal year.

The Chamber chair-elect will be Paige Ard of Assurant.

To read the full story, click here.

Books And Brunch: What New Businesses Are Coming To Downtown Florence?

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New businesses will take root in the coming months along Dargan Street and Evans Street near the heart of downtown. Four additions are slated to move in — some are brand-new concepts to the downtown area.

From books to brunch, here’s a snapshot of what’s to come in downtown Florence:

Smiling Scoops. There are plenty of ways to beat summertime heat. Smiling Scoops will soon be dishing out hand-scooped ice cream downtown. Owner Stoney Duprey will offer ice cream and arcade games at the family-friendly haven.

First of the Month Eatery and Bar. Can’t make it to a 10 a.m. brunch? An all-day brunch spot is on the horizon. First of the Month Eatery and Bar will take over the former Swole’s Barbershop location.

Jack’s Books. On the hunt for your new favorite book? Jack’s Books will bring thousands of titles to choose from downtown. Owner Colton Cauthen plans to offer a curated selection of new and used books alongside a few gift items. The bookstore will be located between Leaf Lounge and Wholly Smokin’.

Shipping with E’s. Looking for a local spot to take care of business-related needs? Shipping with E’s will be a full service packing and shipping center. Owner Erin McDaniel will be focused on serving small businesses.

To read the full story, click here.

Want To Learn About Growing Blueberries And Pick Your Own?

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Join Pee Dee Land Trust at Four Oaks Hill Farm, a blueberry and muscadine farm in Darlington, SC! They will have a Clemson Extension agent give an overview of blueberry production. You will learn about different varieties and some do’s and don’ts of growing your own blueberries. After the short presentation you will have plenty of time to stroll through the property and pick your own blueberries for purchase. This is a great activity for all ages! This event, sponsored by Pee Dee Land Trust, is free to attend! Please rsvp to scopes@peedeelandtrust.org or (843) 667-3229 by Friday, June 14th.

For more information, click here.