Headlines in the Midlands
Top Ten Most Popular Stories from 2011
We wish all of our readers a very happy and relaxing holiday season.
One of my favorite things to do this time of year is to read the year end Top 10 lists. With web publishing, you receive an amazing amount of information about your content from sites like Google Analytics. As we look back on 2011, here is the list of the Top Ten Most Popular Stories from this past year. Thanks for reading!
1. 
Academy Sports + Outdoors opens first store in Columbia, South Carolina
Academy Sports + Outdoors (d/b/a Academy) opened its newest location in Columbia, South Carolina. It is the company's first store in the Columbia-area and the third store in South Carolina. The Texas-based company operates 135 stores throughout Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
2. 
Edens & Avant Announces Whole Foods Market to open in Columbia, S.C.
Now called Edens, our Columbia, SC based developer and owner of neighborhood shopping centers introduced a world class brand to this market.
3. 
2011 Parade of Homes Critics' Choice Award Winners
The 2011 Parade of Homes was held May 7th – 22nd at The Peninsula at Lake Carolina in Columbia, SC. A panel of judges from Georgia and North Carolina met at the site and walked through each entry to decide the winners of the Critics' Choice Awards. People love beautiful homes!
4. 
Arnold Companies Announces Plans to Redevelop Historic Hotel
The Arnold Companies, a Columbia-based commercial development firm, announced plans to redevelop the property at the corner of Lady and Main Streets in downtown Columbia. This historic 101-room hotel will be converted into 51urban residences,The Palms on Main.
5. 
1x1 Design, a Full Service Architectural Design Firm, Launches
Back in early June, Asheley Scott, AIA, LEED AP announced the launch of her own venture, 1x1 Design, a full service architectural design firm located in Columbia, South Carolina.
6. 
Congaree Vista Guild announces Sarah Luadzers as Executive Director
In May, the Congaree Vista Guild, the membership organization for Columbia's arts and entertainment district, announced the hiring of Sarah Luadzers as its new Executive Director. In August, we did a video interview with Sarah as part of our podcast series.
7. 
A Video podcast with Kristian Niemi
As part of our focus issue on food, we interviewed Kristian Niemi, the owner of two local restaurants, Rosso Trattoria Italia and Gervais and Vine.
8. 
How the "Funky Chicken Man" Turned His Passion into a Business Venture
Over this past summer, MidlandsBiz worked with Brittany Moore, one of our first interns from USC. We are thrilled that this local story that she submitted in July makes the Top 10. Hope you put that in your resume, Brittany!
9. 
Top Five Water Issues Facing South Carolina
This excellent article submitted to us by Mullen Taylor, an attorney with the law firm of McAngus Goudelock & Courie in Columbia, was part of our focus issue on water.
10. 
Stone Theatres to Build 14-Screen Movie Theatre in Lexington, SC
In September, Stone Theatres Management, LLC announced an upscale 14-screen multiplex at Corley Mill Retail Shopping Development. The landmark site is located along Sunset Blvd. (U.S. Hwy 378) at the eastern end of Lexington, SC. The 55,000 square-foot, modern cinema-house will be the largest in the Lexington County communities.
And a couple of extras
11. Ariail
I wish I knew which of the political cartoons was the most popular during the year, but suffice to say, that people love his work!
12. Liberty Fellowship Announces 8th Class of Fellows
