The Arnold Companies Celebrate with Opening Ceremony at Marina Bay

Joined by Columbia City Council Moe Baddourah, Matt Kennell of the City Center Partnership, Tiffany Boyce of the Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce and a full house of Midlands media, business & political leaders, Arnold Companies President Ben Arnold cut the ribbon for Marina Bay – Lake Murray’s new lakefront lifestyle destination.

MarinaBay3Marina Bay is one of the latest projects from real estate developer Ben Arnold. The resort-style development includes 216 luxury apartments (1br, 2br & 3br), a 7,800 square foot two-tiered deck restaurant, Liberty on the Lake, a convenience & ship store, “Ahh..Licious!” Ice Cream Shop, Better Boat Rentals and The Boat Club.   With over 40% of the 216 apartments leased by InterMark Management before the ribbon was cut, this new development is already bringing new energy to Lake Murray. The anticipation of this new development has been building since last spring, and it has proven to be well worth the wait!

MarinaBay2

Ben and Lisa Arnold

Lisa Arnold welcomed over 400 of the Midlands’ most stylish attendees at a private, poolside soiree where guests were welcomed with Marina Bay gifts including towels, koozies, sunscreen, lip balm and a few special give-away’s from each Marina bay partner – all  important items for a day on the lake!  The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Saturday, May 11th outside the entrance of The Residence at Marina Bay located at 1600 Marina Road in Irmo.  Afterwards, guests were invited pool-side to taste featured summer-time entrees and appetizers catered by Liberty on the Lake. Private tours of The Residence’s model unit and the amenities, including the clubhouse, Body Shop fitness center, upper-level veranda, theater and game room were given, along with group pontoon rides so guests could see the new development from the lake.

Luminaries in attendance included real estate heavyweights like Don Tomlin and his wife Rachelle, and Charles Kahn. Teresa Wilson, Columbia City Manager, and Executive Director of Trustus Theater, Larry Hembree, stopped in to mingle by the pool with guests, who enjoyed Caribbean themed food and beverages, and Liberty’s signature Banana Foster cheesecake for dessert (all served on sustainable bamboo plates).

After the event, guests were invited down to the Marina Center to see the Ship Store, “Ahh..Licious!” Ice Cream Shop and The Boat Club office, as well as Liberty on the Lake. The party continued as guests enjoyed cocktails on Liberty’s outdoor deck, overlooking the spectacular deep water views while listening to the band, Mystic Vibrations.MarinaBay1

About the Marina Bay Partners:

The Residence at Marina Bay offers 216 lakefront rental apartments (1br, 2br & 3br) with heated resort-style pool, fire pit, cabanas, grilling deck, poolside beverage and food from Liberty on the Lake, stainless steel or black appliance packages, tile backsplash, granite countertops, elevators and Energy Star rated appliances, including tankless hot water heaters. Many apartments also include wrap-around porches with spectacular views of the pool and the lake.  Other resident amenities include an indoor movie theater, Body Shop Fitness Center and club lounge.  Having the marina, restaurant, ship store, and boat club on-site are all added benefits of The Residence.

Liberty on the Lake is Marina Bay’s on-site restaurant and the waterfront outpost of Liberty Tap Room.  This full-service restaurant, grill and bar is operated by the TBonz Restaurant Group.  Residents, marina members, Lake Murray boaters and visitors from around the lake will be pleased with this new cuisine and the elevated outdoor seating with killer lake views.

The Boat Club and Better Boat Rental is the one stop shop for all your boating needs. Lake Murray Boat Club is the Midlands’ only Boating Country Club® and a carefree alternative to the hassle and expense of traditional boat ownership. Members get UNLIMITED USE of our entire fleet of new recreational boats PLUS complimentary wake boards, skis, knee boards, tubes, and kayaks.  Better Boat Rental is Lake Murray’s only source to rent 20-foot deck boats, pontoons, tri-toons, fish-ski pontoons, and a double deck pontoon boat with a water slide on the back!

Lake Murray Marina has been operating throughout the construction process and they remain the “Best Marina on Lake Murray!”  The marina has the newest and most exceptional open-water and covered boat slips, with 24-hour security, a new ship store and ice cream shop, gas dock, and a robust dockside community. Slips range from side ties, half-slips, covered slips and 26-foot dock slips to 90-foot outside tie slips on the Marina’s multiple docks.

For more information on each partner, visit www.MarinaBaySC.com

Background

About Arnold Companies

Arnold Companies is one of the most diverse owners and developers of commercial and multi-family properties in the Southeast. The organization designs and builds properties that vary from traditional commercial real estate to mixed-use entertainment complexes, to neo-traditional town centers, elderly housing and marinas. For more information, contact Darcy Earhardt, Arnold Companies’ Marketing Manager, at (803) 731-4321.

DSW Ribbon Cutting This Thursday

DSW_com_logo

Join us in welcoming new member Designer Shoe Warehouse, or DSW, this Thursday with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m, followed by the official store opening at 10. The new DSW store is located on Park Terrace Drive, near Harbison Boulevard. Come out and find designer shoes at warehouse prices for everyone in the family!

Hampton Inn & Suites Columbia/SE Fort Jackson Grand Opening Celebration

The grand opening of Columbia’s newest hotel, the Hampton Inn & Suites at 201 East Exchange Boulevard, will take place next Wednesday, November 7, from 5 – 8 p.m. There will be live music, hor’s de vours and a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Chamber.

Through a partnership with the Columbia area Harvest Hope Food Bank, there will also be donation boxes at the hotel to help families in need this holiday season. Please bring non-perishable food items to donate!

Leadership Columbia Ribbon Cutting Photos

The Leadership Columbia Class of 2012 celebrated the completion of their class project – the renovation of the Free Medical Clinic – last night with a ribbon cutting. To learn more about the class and their project click here.

To view all the photos, click here.

Leadership Columbia Class of 2012 Completes Free Medical Clinic Renovation

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Set for May 16

COLUMBIA, S.C. – After four months of dedication, perseverance and teamwork, the Leadership Columbia (LC) Class of 2012 has completed renovations to the Free Medical Clinic, 1875 Harden St. A ribbon cutting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, 2012, to welcome the more than 10,000 clients who are treated each year at the clinic to the updated facility. The mission of the Free Medical Clinic is to provide quality healthcare at no cost to residents of the community who have no health insurance and cannot pay for such services.

Speakers include:
Ike McLeese, President & CEO | Columbia Chamber
Dennis Coker, Executive Director | Free Medical Clinic
Krisdee Foster, Chair | Leadership Columbia
Natalie Henderson, Class of 2012 | Leadership Columbia
Eunika Simmons, Class of 2012 | Leadership Columbia

The LC class selected the Free Medical Clinic as this year’s community service project with the goal of refurbishing the clinic and collecting needed supplies and funds to help the operation of the center. Renovations began Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012. Over the course of the project, the class has provided more than 1,500 hours of services, raised more than $12,000 for supplies and $30,000 for facility improvements. The class has also assisted the clinic in securing new community partnerships, suppliers and medical volunteers.

“We are extremely proud of the accomplishments of our Leadership Columbia class,” said Ike McLeese, president & CEO, Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce. “This project will have a tremendous impact on the community for years to come.”

In order to update the Free Medical Clinic, a comprehensive work plan was designed to include installation of new light fixtures, complete bathroom renovations, new flooring, HVAC installation, painting and furniture delivery. The class also updated the entranceway of the clinic with a new awning, safety rail and seating for waiting clients.

In-kind donations were critical to the success of the project. The LC Class of 2012 would like to thank the local businesses and community organizations that contributed their services, time and donations. Top contributors ($1,000+) include Rogers Townsend & Thomas, BB&T, 2nd, Wind Heating & Air, GMK, Lexington Medical Center, Carolina Wholesale Flooring, Ferguson, Chariot Ironworks, First Citizens, Carolina Event Consulting, Polliwogs, Excel Dryers and Specialty Woodwork.

The Class of 2012 will hold a wrap party concluding the event at Tin Roof in the Vista,1022 Senate St. For more information on this event, please visit http://lc12party.eventbrite.com/.

The journey of this project was documented through the Class of 2012 Facebook page and blog.

To learn more about the mission and work of the Free Medical Clinic, please visit their web page at http://www.freemedclinic.org.

To apply for the Leadership Columbia 2013 Class, click here.

About Leadership Columbia
Since its inception in 1973, Leadership Columbia has celebrated close to 1,600 graduates. The 10-month program includes monthly learning sessions, a class retreat, a group project and enrichment activities. Leadership Columbia encourages service learning with participants urged to apply their talents by becoming a part of professional associations, civic organizations, nonprofit boards and public commissions.

For more information on Leadership Columbia, visit http://www.columbiachamber.com/leadershipcolumbia.htm

Advanced Fertility & Reproductive Endocrinology Institute opens its doors in West Columbia

Congratulations to Advanced Fertility & Reproductive Endocrinology Institute on their grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony!

Advanced Fertility has expanded its practice in order to offer patients dealing with infertility in the Southeast access to one of the newest and most technologically-advanced fertility clinics in the country. The full-service, advanced fertility center, offers regular, free informational seminars, welcomes patient calls for information as well as referrals from physicians.

Pictured L-R: Rich Kordus, Embryologist; Martin Elia, Operations Manager; Gail Whitman-Elia, MD; Florence Hightower, PhD

Z Factor Dance & Fitness Studio opens its doors at 7201 Parklane Rd

Congrats to Z Factor Dance & Fitness Studio on their grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony!

This new dance and fitness studio offers Zumba classes for all fitness levels, as well as Cardio Kick-Boxing, Yoga, Salsa, and Dance lessons for kids. With their morning and evening classes, Z Factor has a class for any busy schedule. For more information visit their Web site or call 803.419.9133.

Photo includes: owner, Valincia Borders, and her daughter, Laila Borders, as well as Zumba and Salsa instructor, Joel Rodriquez.

Ribbon Cutting | Jan. 18 at 1:00pm

Fertility Specialist, Dr. Gail Whitman-Elia, Announces Opening Of Expanded Fertility Center, Advanced Fertility & Reproductive Endocrinology Institute, LLC

South Carolina residents now have access to the country’s newest and technologically-advanced fertility center with the opening of the expanded Advanced Fertility located in West Columbia.

The facility is designed for patient comfort and fertility results as medical director and founder, Dr. Whitman-Elia, continues to add to the thousands she’s assisted in achieving pregnancy.

With the new location, the institute expands from 5,400 square feet to 14,000 square feet.  What does that mean for patients?  Patients will find more services, more options, greater comfort, and, if indicated, access to two new clean room procedure suites optimized for fertility success.  The institute’s new lab utilizes the latest in air filtration and environmental controls to ensure the best clinical lab setting for high-tech in-vitro and other fertility cases.

“Our mission, seven days a week, is to help our patients start or expand their families. We have the honor of working with men and women who have incredible love to offer a child and just need a little help to achieve their goals,” says Dr. Whitman-Elia. “We’re excited to offer this high level of state-of-the-art care to patients here in South Carolina, the remainder of the country and internationally.”

One out of seven couples will have some level of infertility. What many people don’t realize is how far therapies have come to help people overcome the many causes of infertility.  Advanced Fertility’s new West Columbia institute will have the capacity to help a greater number of patients, even patients who may have been turned away by other fertility clinics.

In addition to large, new exam and treatment rooms, the facility includes its own meeting room for a continuation of Dr. Whitman-Elia’s popular free fertility seminars.  The community may also monitor the institute’s website for other special events including, but not limited to, fertility mind and body seminars.

“With this new beautiful facility, our focus is expanding our role as one of the top fertility centers of choice in the Southeast while, at the same time, maintaining the personal, compassionate care for which we’re known,” states Whitman-Elia.  “This new institute allows our team to bring this standard of care to an even greater number of patients to help them realize their dreams.”

The official ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour is scheduled for Wednesday, January 18th,1:00pm, at the new institute, 2324 Sunset Boulevard in West Columbia.  The public is invited in both a celebration of this exciting, new, regional medical resource as well as a celebration of life.

For more information and for press inquiries, please contact Michael Burney at (803) 238-0300, mburney@doctorsedge.com, or contact the practice directly at (803) 939-1515 or abouknight@ivfwecare.com.