AROUND TOWN

Johnny Anderson plans to reopen the Original Tony’s Pizza tomorrow, July 19. He will open at 1505 Charleston Highway in the Granby Village shopping center for lunch and dinner 11 am to 9 pm, with live music on Friday evenings. Tony’s was popular on Knox Abbott Drive for 48 years. He decided to come out of retirement after Facebook fans forced him to change his mind. “I put something on Facebook to see if anyone would be interested in some of our meatballs, our sauce,” he told Karamie Sullivan of ColaDaily.com. “In 1 hour I had about $3,000 worth of orders.”

Lexington memory care to open

Westminster Memory Care broke ground on its new Lexington facility this May. The $13.5 million project at 886 Park Rd.in Lexington will bring more than 40 jobs. Construction of the 48-unit, luxury senior living community should be complete in late Spring or early Summer 2020. For more information please call 803-502-5599 or visit www.westministermemorycarelexington.com .

Black Rooster to open in Brookland

Opening day is getting closer. Black Rooster restaurant will open within the next 3 weeks at the northeast corner of the Brookland development in West Columbia. Black Rooster is a French restaurant in the style of French brasseries and bistros. Chef and Bourbon restaurant-owner Kristian Niemi in 2018 announced his plan to open rooftop restaurant and bar in the Brookland development. He said the new venture would overlook the Congaree River. Visit Black Rooster on Facebook to inquire about hiring opportunities at https://www.facebook.com/blackroostersc/ .

Building Industry awards scholarships

10 Lexington County graduates will receive scholarships from the Building Industry Charitable Foundation. Over the past 19 years, the BICF has awarded $579,250 in scholarships to children of Association members and other students who meet criteria set for the program. County winners are: Bethany Boyd, Perry Bumgarner, Pearce Barron Coggeshall, Nathan Edward Long, Savannah Lucas, Morgan Morrison, Camille Riddle, Matthew Rush, Benjamin Nicholson and Pauline Nicholson.

Employee of the month

Heidi Jeffries is a SC Department of Social Services employee of the month. Jeffries is the constituent services representative at the Lexington County DSS. Jeffries has been with the agency over 3 years, the last 2 with Constituent Services. Staff selected as part of the Employee of the Month Program are awarded lunch with the State Director, a dedicated parking space, a photo and write-up displayed at State Office.

USC stadium to remain mostly dry

Williams-Bryce Stadium in Columbia will not change its alcohol sales policies this season. Alcoholic beverages will continue to only be sold in premium seating areas. The Southeastern Conference lifted its ban on alcohol sales in May, but left it up to each school to decide if they would sell it. USC Officials say they will make any updates to alcohol sales prior to the start of each sport’s season. More details on page B1.

Food Lion gets a face lift

Food Lion unveiled a new shopping experience for Lexington customers yesterday. The Food Lion at 918 North Lake Drive was one of 92 stores to receive an overhaul. The company spent $158 million in remodeling, hiring 2,000 additional associates and giving back to local communities.

Real estate

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough have leased a 40,000-square-foot warehouse at 103 Vantage Point Drive in West Columbia. Chuck Salley, SIOR, Dave Mathews, SIOR and Thomas Beard represented Brennan Investment Group in the transaction. 103 Vantage Point drive is a free-standing warehouse located off I-77 and I-26 in West Columbia. No word yet on what will open at the location.

Got slime?

If you’re sick of hearing “I’m bored” and cleaning up crafting disasters, call Caughman Harman Funeral Home. They’re hosting a free slime making event today from 10 am-2 pm at 503 N Lake Dr., Lexington. Supplies and snacks provided. For information, please call 803-359-6118.

Lexpo breaks its own record

We were truly impressed last week by the Lexington Chamber’s Lexpo. The chamber signed 120 member vendors for its annual expo last Thursday. “This is a record breaker,” Chamber CEO Otis Rawl said. Rawl talked with vendors at River Bluff High School where the Lexpo was held again this year. He anticipates expanding to as many as 150 vendor members next year. River Bluff’s spacious corridors gave the chamber an opportunity to expand. Being near US 378 and I-20 gave visitors easy access. Many vendors offered discounts and specials to prospective customers. At the Chronicle and Fish Wrapper booth, several people looking for contract or employment opportunities stopped to talk about what they could offer business owners. We encouraged them to email us resumes and a letter stating their skills. We will share these with owners who may need talent in a tight job market.

Who’s new

G2 Machining owner Greg Watson is relocating from Durand, Michigan, to the Batesburg-Leesville Industrial Park. He makes machined polymers, composite bearings and compression mold tooling for boats and manufacturing. He bought 1.7 acres in the park for $30,000 and hopes to hire up to 20 employees as he grows.