The Peach Festival in Gilbert and Poultry Festival in Batesburg-Leesville were cancelled but 4 other popular events are planned.

With the decline in covid cases, the South Congaree Rodeo will be Friday and Saturday nights, Chapin Labor Day Festival in September, Irmo Okra Strut Sept. 24-25 and Gaston Collard Festival in October.

Growing businesses

• Hollow Creek Distillery owners Craig and Meredith Amick in Batesburg-Leesville are completing a 5,000 sq ft expansion on Rocky Ridge Road off US 378. Their handcrafted, small batch distillery makes 9 varieties of Moonshine, High Cotton Bourbon, White Hot Cinnamon Whiskey, Low Water Vodka and the new 34.08 Whiskey.

• Mungo Homes has acquired Virginiabased CraftMaster Homes, a 6-time Builder of the Year winner. A partnership with Clayton Properties Group, a Berkshire Hathaway company, has given Mungo an opportunity to grow, said CEO Steven Mungo.

Something to bark about

Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming will open its doors at 1221 Chapin Road in October.

Ginger Cline, a Lexington native, said a trip to a Woof Gang store in the mountains inspired her to open her own.

She plans to offers professional dog grooming, healthy dog food and treats, accessories, collars and toys. She will be hiring groomers, bathers and

She will be hiring groomers, bathers and retail help. If interested, contact Cline at chapin@woofgangbakery.com.

MTC’s new leadership

The Midlands Technical College Commission has elected Todd Sease of Lexington to a 2-year term as the Chair. Sease is an architect and LEED Accredited Professional who has served as MTC Commission vice chair.

Treasurer will be Paula Hite of Lexington County and Lexington County businessman Michael Farrell, owner of Farrell Insurance Agency was bamed its newest member.

Stuff yourself

The popular 2 Fat 2 Fly food truck returned to Cayce’s Steel Hands Brewing last Thursday. Ramone Dickerson, Corey Simmons, Sean Coleman, Joey Thompson and Haley Williamson offered wings stuffed with mac and cheese and jambalaya.

National recognition

Green Profit Magazine featured a Lexington business on its July cover. Wingard’s Market was pictured in the national industry magazine which publishes flower and plant information to retailers.

The company’s greenhouse is pictured multiple times, demonstrating the way more retailers are going for taller greenhouses with broader aisles.

Wingard’s co-owner Wally Steinhauser said it was a bit of a shock when he learned they were on the cover.

Local dancers win

Local dancers from Connick School of Irish Dance brought home wins at the US National Irish Dance Championships.

Carolina and Aurora Murray, students at Lexington Middle School, both earned 4th place in open championship competitions in Phoenix, AZ. Cassidy McGee of Chapin represented the 18 and over age group earning top placements for the Southeast.

Connick School of Irish Dance has opened a studio at 428 South Lake Dr. in Lexington for students of all ages. Email Info@connickschool.com for details.

Hospitality help

The Restaurant Revitalization Program is closing after paying out $28.6 billion to more than 100,000 restaurants and others in the service industry.

About 101,000 applications from restaurants, bars and other hospitality-type businesses were approved, Isabel Gusman of the Small Business Administration said.

Women-owned businesses received $7.5 billion, $6.7 million went to disadvantaged business owners and veteran-owned businesses received $1 billion.

Unemployment benefits end

In the final days of federal unemployment benefits in our state, 2,173 initial unemployment claims were filed in the week ending July 3.

That was an increase of 501 claims from the previous week, according to SC Department of Employment and Workforce data.

For the week of June 27-July 3, DEW paid out $49 million in state and federal unemployment benefits.

A state-high 152 initial claims were filed in Greenville County, 118 in Richland County and 80 in Berkeley County.

Since March 2020, DEW has paid out nearly $6.5 billion in unemployment benefits to 907,853 claimants.

Job opportunity

The Chronicle has an opening for someone who wants to learn to run a business,

An entry level accounts receiveable and payable clerk is needed. Send resume to lexinngtonchronicle@gmail.com