Lake Murray’s one and only yacht has officially reopened to the public. 

The Spirit of Lake Murray, an 80-foot Skipperliner yacht, made her debut during the lake’s annual Christmas Light Boat Parade Dec. 2 and hosted a three-day soft opening Dec. 7-9, during which guests got to enjoy a small tapas menu and a full bar.

The vessel returned to service a little later than expected, with the Spirit team previously announcing early summer as their target.

The Chronicle was previously told that the Spirit will have a capacity of roughly 130 people, though the owners said they will most likely cap public charters at 100-110 guests to increase the sense of intimacy.

According to the yacht’s Facebook page, the business began hiring staff in September.

The new owners, Lake Murray Partners, consisting of Norm Agnew, Rick Crout, Tyler Ryan and Steve Price, bought the boat in October 2022 and sailed it from Hollow Creek Marina to Agnew Lake Services to begin overhauling it.

The partners previously told the Chronicle that the boat was fully gutted from top to bottom and hull to rear, with a majority of the structure having to be replaced due to rust. Upon walking up to the yacht, patrons will see it sporting a fresh paint job adorned with the company's festive new red-white-and-blue branding. As they enter the lower deck, guests will see a revised layout and a brand-new color scheme. — KK

Irmo sets special election date

The Town of Irmo will vote again Feb. 27.

That’s when the municipality of about 12,000 that straddles the Richland/Lexington County line will cast ballots to decide who will take over the Town Council seat vacated by Mayor Bill Danielson when he was elected to his new position in November.

Filing for the election — which will award the winner with an at-large council seat through 2025, serving out the remainder of Danielson’s vacated term — will be open Dec. 15-27.

Early voting will run Feb. 12-23, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday in Lexington County (at the county Registrations and Elections office, 605 W Main St. in Lexington) and in Richland County (at the county Registration and Elections office, 2020 Hampton St. in Columbia). — JL

Lakeside San Jose opens

An anticipated lakefront restaurant is open.

San Jose & Marina, the latest location of the popular local Mexican chain, opened last week at 3340 Highway 378 in Batesburg-Leesville. It takes a spot on the Lake Murray shore that changed hands in 2021. Now housing San Jose and the Hollow Creek Marina, it was home to the Spirit of Lake Murray yacht before it changed hands.

“We are a family friendly restaurant on the lake,” the new San Jose posted to Facebook. “Same great Mexican food with a twist. Food is ordered at our front counter and brought out to your table. Favorite toppings can be added from our salsa bar. We have a bar and drinks, yet we are not a bar. Being on the lake comes with great responsibility. Our goal is to provide a place where families can enjoy great Mexican food with a view. Boaters are welcome, we have 16 slips for patrons. Shirt and shoes are required. We are also a marina. Only members can park in those slips and be on that dock. Thank you all for your well wishes and support. See you on the lake.”

The new lakeside restaurant is the chain’s 18th location, all of which are located in the counties of Lexington, Richland, Kershaw and Orangeburg, according to the restaurant’s website. — JL