Poor economy slows Indian Land retail plans

From staff reports

INDIAN LAND -- Editor's note: The York County Roundup is a weekly look at highlights from The Herald's sister weekly newspapers, the Lake Wylie Pilot, Fort Mill Times and Enquirer-Herald. The publications come out Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, respectively, and are available across the county.

Poor economy slows

Indian Land retail plans

Plans for a movie theater, department stores and big-box retailers along U.S. 521 have slowed due to the economy but have not come to a halt, area developers said.

Kohl's department store was eyeing property along U.S. 521 in the Lancaster County panhandle, including land at Collins Road, where a retail development is planned by developers Argus Properties.

The development, tentatively named SouthTrace, is planned to be a 17-acre property with four outparcels for retail stores. But Argus Properties partner Tom Cluderay said the economic downturn has put the process of securing retailers on “pause.”

Other projects planned for the panhandle are on hold or stopped off the board.

“A lot of the plans of major retailers are on hold, put on the breaks, in limbo, whatever analogy you want to use,” Cluderay said. “I'm not aware of any significant progress in that area of obtaining commitments from retailers.”

Farther south on U.S. 521 is Cornerstone, a 150-acre commercial development between Laurel Hill Road and extending down U.S. 521 to just beyond Jim Wilson Road, across from Sun City Carolina Lakes.

The commercial site is a joint venture between Crosland and Wallace Land Ventures II. The first buildings — a Walgreens and a medical office building — are complete. But the large retailers once named as potential stores, including a movie theater, Belk, J.C. Penney, Lowe's Foods and Target, are no longer listed.

Fort Mill Times, www.fortmilltimes.com

York to celebrate circus of days past

A celebration of circus days past is coming to York.

“Under the Big Top” will be a two-day celebration in May of the history, stories and people of the circus.

The Barnett Family circus, later Wallace Bros., and the Bennett Brothers Circus spent their winters in downtown York during the 1920s through the 1940s, training and designing new shows.

Signa Curry approached the York Downtown Business Association in June about holding a celebration to bring back the memories.

“When I moved to York,” Curry said, “one of the first things I noticed was the old circus headquarters on Trinity Street.”

Also involved in the planning are the Yorkville Historical Society, Culture & Heritage Museums and York Chamber of Commerce. City Council gave the celebration the green light, and there's a budget of $20,000.

“Under the Big Top” will be May 15 in the historical area of the circus headquarters, around Jefferson and Trinity streets. There will be performances, a parade, local talent under the big top, historical walking tours, a reunion of performers and their families, performances by The Carolina Clowns, children's activities and more. Local restaurants will sell food; there will be no food vendors.

For details or to volunteer, contact Curry at 704-299-2322.

Enquirer-Herald, www.enquirerherald.com

Fat Cats benefit

to help Hospice families

LAKE WYLIE The annual Hospice fundraiser in Lake Wylie during the Nov. 6 Ohio State vs. Michigan game will play out differently this year. Organizers still plan to raise money, but they plan to give it differently.

For seven years, the restaurant formerly known as Local Motion Bar & Grill — now Fat Cats Oyster Bar & Grill — hosted an event to benefit Hospice & Community Care during the college football game loved by regular Bud Phillips, who received care from Hospice before his death.

Many Local Motion regulars also sponsored Hospice families at Christmas. Last year, between the two efforts, 13 families received food and gifts with another $13,000 going to Hospice.

“I feel like, due to the economy, we just can't do both this year,” said organizer Ruth Sheets, former Local Motion owner.

Instead, planners set aside Nov. 6 at Fat Cats for an event including the traditional silent auction and donations, along with karaoke, entertainment and a fifty-fifty drawing. All money raised at the event, plus $1,000 from yard sales earlier this year, will go toward Christmas for least 15 Hospice families this year.

Proceeds also will provide warm clothing and at least a month of food for each family. The event will be from 7 to 10 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Plantation Square location, off Charlotte Highway. For information, call 704-458-3203.

Lake Wylie Pilot, wwwlakewyliepilot.com