Montessori School Joins the Florence Chamber

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The Montessori School of Florence held a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, November 9th celebrating joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. Joining in the celebration were members of the school board, Chamber staff and ambassadors.  The Montessori School of Florence was established in 1976. It moved into its present location at 510 W. Palmetto St. in 1999, said Elizabeth Kahn, Director.  Kahn said it is the only totally Montessori school in Florence.  About 140 students attend the school in grades 2K through six. There are 17 teachers and assistants at the school. Kahn has been director since July.

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Crawford Capital Investments Joins the Florence Chamber

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Crawford Capital Investments, investing in homes, families and communities, held a ribbon cutting in the James Allen Plaza behind the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, November 4th celebrating its membership in the Chamber.  Cutting the ribbon was owner Gia Crawford. She was surrounded by her husband, Kendric Crawford, Co-Owner; their two children; his father, Daryl Crowner of Marion; Brooke Laughridge, Team Member; and Chamber staff and ambassadors.  Crawford Capital Investments primarily invests in real estate, said Gia Crawford. She said they invest in homes and neighborhood revitalization.  The Crawfords have been in business about a year and work out of their home. They are both graduates of Francis Marion University. Gia is a native of Charleston, and Kendric is a native of Marion. They moved back to the area from Virginia to transition into the Florence market with a goal of making a difference in the community.

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Florence Rotary Club Joins Chamber and Celebrates with Ribbon Cutting

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The Florence Rotary Club cut the ribbon and joined the Chamber at the beginning of its meeting Monday, November 8th at Victors. Club members were joined by Chamber staff and ambassadors at the event.  The club, established in February 1920, and celebrated its centennial February 2020, said Ashley Christenbury, Club President.  Major projects undertaken by the club include the Beauty Trail in Florence, Christmas Shopping project, Christmas bell ringing for the Salvation Army, Forget Me Not 5K, Dictionary Project, RIDDE, and the donation of $10,000 plus to local community non-profits each year.  The club has 129 active and honorary members.

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Anderson Brothers Bank on Hoffmeyer Road Joins the Chamber

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Anderson Brothers Bank held a ribbon cutting at its Hoffmeyer Road location in Florence on Thursday, November 4th celebrating its membership in the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.  This branch opened in November 2020, said Jamie Carsten, commercial loan officer and vice president at Anderson Brothers Bank.  “This is our third location in Florence,” he said.  The branch is at 2001 Hoffmeyer Road. Carsten said the Hoffmeyer location is temporary. Plans are to build on Evans Street between Popeye’s and Burger King.

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Kimberly Patrick Photography Opens Studio in Lamar

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A ribbon cutting was held Wednesday, November 3rd in Lamar at Kimberly Patrick Photography studio. Owner Kimberly Patrick celebrated joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce and opening her new studio. Chamber staff and ambassadors joined in the celebration. The studio is at 179 Lorans Drive in Lamar.  Patrick is a family photographer who specializes in newborn, baby, children and family portraiture.  “I have been taking pictures all of my life,” Patrick said.  She said it gives her great joy celebrating and capturing special moments of growing families and the people they love through the art of photography. She has been a professional photographer since 2014.

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Goldman Site Services Celebrates Joining the Chamber with Ribbon Cutting

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Florence Chamber of Commerce on Monday, November 1st with a ribbon cutting at the business on the Olanta Highway outside Scranton. Joining co-owners Ben Goldman and his father, Don Goldman, for the ribbon cutting were Chamber staff and ambassadors, family and employees.  Owner/operator Ben Goldman cut the ribbon. Goldman said they offer grading, excavation, demolition, land and brush clearing, forestry mulching and other services. He said they do commercial and residential work. Goldman said he has been in business for about three years. “We started out doing lawn care and shifted gears to do this,” Goldman said. “I learned from past experience and getting out and doing the work,” he said. “I know a lot from other jobs I have had.” Goldman said he enjoys working outdoors and the fact that everyday isn’t the same. The business is at 2865 Olanta Highway in Scranton. Goldman said they have three employees and a variety of heavy equipment to get the job done.

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New Spark: Florence One Schools Dedicates Haigh Porter Park

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Haigh Porter said it never entered his mind that Florence One Schools planned to name the park between the McClenaghan Administrative Annex and the district’s attendance and zoning offices on Dargan Street after him.  Porter, the Florence County master-in-equity and a former mayor, said Thursday morning at a ceremony dedicating the park that he thought Florence One Schools Board Chairman Porter Stewart, who is a lawyer, was calling to discuss a case with him.  Porter said he hoped the park and the recently opened McClenaghan Administrative Annex building would be a “new spark” to set of revitalization and redevelopment of his old neighborhood.  He said that he had grown up three blocks away from the park and that the area was the upper end of his neighborhood.

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Florence Save A Lot Opens in Downtown Florence

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Florence’s new Save A Lot opened on Wednesday, October 27th with a 9 a.m. ribbon cutting to mark its grand opening − an event that will feature in-store promotions and prizes followed by four days of giveaways and a community cookout.  The store, located at 310 North Dargan Street, features a bright and easy-to-shop footprint that includes shorter and wider aisles, new dairy and meat cases and a focus on fresh produce. We’re thrilled to be able to bring a Save A Lot store to our neighbors in Florence,” said Tim Waters, store owner and operator. “This new store has been a dream of mine for 20 years and I’m proud that it provides a modern aesthetic and easier-to-shop footprint, so this community can enjoy stocking up on grocery essentials, quality fresh meat and produce they deserve. We’ll be celebrating through Saturday with deals and promotions as a special thank you to the community.”

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Tilt Studio at Magnolia Mall Celebrates Opening with a Ribbon Cutting

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Tilt Studio celebrated its opening and joining of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, October 27th with a ribbon cutting. Chamber ambassadors joined in the celebration.  The Texas-based Tilt Studio at Magnolia Mall has transformed the former J.C. Penney’s space into a brightly lit fun center that includes games, Laser Tag Arena, mini bowling, two black light mini golf courses; Spin Zone Bumper Cars with Flip Zone Cars, and a completed Indy Driving Simulator. A Redemption Center features hundreds of prizes. There are between 100 and 150 classic and modern interactive video and redemption prize games for all skill levels and all ages.  There are virtual games, including one of the newest King Kong of Skull Island. Some of the other games include air hockey, Wheel of Fortune, and water game fun.  Tilt Studio is a 100,000-square-foot indoor family entertainment center.

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Pee Dee Vineyard Harvesting Productions Hold Ribbon Cutting

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Pee Dee Vineyard Harvesting Productions held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, October 26th in the James Allen Plaza on Dargan Street, hosted by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. The business celebrated its opening and joining the Chamber. Chamber ambassadors joined in the celebration. Owner Larry Hancock said he is continuing a tradition started by his grandfather Happy Hancock in the 1970s of promoting quality Judeo-Christian entertainment. He sees himself as a promoter of God’s work. “I am honored to serve as His promoter of quality entertainment with Judeo-Christian values, and I am honored for the backing and support of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce,” Hancock said on his website. Hancock said he did not want to just promote gospel music but dramas, Mystery Theater and other stage productions. He plans to host the Grand Gospel Music Celebration in October 2022.

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