Every now and then when I had our oldest daughter in the car by myself we would go to Morganelli’s Spirit’s Store on Forest Drive. As a dad that didn’t want to leave his kiddo in the car, I would take her inside the store with me. Whoever was at the cash register of the family-owned and operated business at the time would always offer her a sucker or dum-dum. This was obviously exciting for her, and it was fun to watch her anticipate being asked by the cashier (This is no longer practiced as it is not allowed on the liquor side of the building).

Over time, Finley started asking from the back seat, “Daddy. Can we go to the water store?” I had no idea what she was talking about for a few days or even a week until she said, “The store that gives suckers, Dada.” I caught on that she meant freakin’ MORGANELLI’S!

I mean, think of it. She was two feet tall and all she ever saw was the wall and shelves of vodka so she always just thought it was water. #WellDuh!!! On one ride in the car she doubled down and asked, “Why do you get the same water every time, Dada?”  Hahahaha

Anyway, now that we have three kiddos it’s a little more difficult to unload the car, meander through the store, pay, and get back in the car. So, Jennifer finds herself going to the “water store” while on a Target run (or wherever she goes to get out of the house).

That all said, looks like she’s tired of going to the damn water store!

Check out her piece in the Post & Courier.

Nice, Babe!!!

Franklin Jones

Commentary: Support Delivery of Beer and Wine in SC

By: Jennifer Sparks Jones

May 1, 2001

When COVID-19 reached South Carolina, our family was hit hard. Like so many of you, we had to adjust to a new normal. But we have remained grateful for small blessings.

For example, small blessings like grocery delivery apps made it possible for our family, with loved ones who are among the most vulnerable to sickness, to have the groceries we need delivered to our house.

The peace of mind that came with being able to have more ways to shop and get groceries delivered safely as a pandemic ravaged the country was invaluable. We remain thankful for these opportunities.

We will continue using delivery apps, such as Shipt, even as South Carolina reopens because of the safety and convenience they offer. Not only do shoppers, who observe public health-focused protocols, help us avoid exposing vulnerable family members to unnecessary infections, they also provide busy parents, professionals and others with relief, when they simply do not have time to make it to the store.

But, even as we return to normal, there is a critical effort underway in the General Assembly that would make using delivery apps even more convenient.

This would be a game-changer for businesses and families. We are already proud of the way businesses have adapted during the pandemic, offering delivery options for a variety of products. But, as one local grocery store manager said in a recent television interview, customers have been asking grocers when they can count on safe delivery of beer and wine. While it is a tremendous benefit to be able to count on a grocery delivery app for many essential needs, it is more than inconvenient to have to go back out to pick up beer and wine.

This edition of The HotSheet includes the most recent homes to hit Downtown Columbia, SC’s real estate market in the last two weeks. As of 1:42 AM, the fastest site in the industry is featuring 42 new listings for sale.

The areas include the zips 29201, 29204, 29205, 29206, and 29209, with a price range of $100,000 to $Zillion. Remember!!… No big deal if you don’t want to ‘register’ to look deeper at a particular property. Simply type in my initials or the word “Blog” (or whatever you can think of “Cocks,” “Tigers”), and shoot in a random email address in the field. Even if you don’t want to register or ‘poser register,’ you can still get a good glimpse of what’s new to the market by simply scrolling around the Gallery Page.

If you or anyone you know would like more information about any of these Downtown Columbia properties for sale, or if you’re interested in putting your home on the market, please call 803-447-8683 or email Franklin@TheNeighborhoodRE.com .

Happy clicking and Thank you!!

Franklin Jones

Check out the awesome house on Lake Marion in Clarendon County Liz Black Fischer just closed!

Monsterous – MMA style fighting striped bass, Volkswagon size catfish, and “big water” views right off the dock of 1149 Lakeview Drive in Manning, SC!

Here’s a description from a local website –

The Santee Cooper reservoirs have long been known as an angler’s paradise and the recent capture of the largest Lake Moultrie blue catfish ever observed (136 lb., 6 oz.) only solidifies this reputation. State records currently held are: Largemouth Bass – 16.2 lb., Black Crappie – 5 lb., along with records for Chain, Shellcraker, Warmouth, Catfish, and Flathead.  But the jewel of the Santee-Cooper system is the striped bass which attracts fishermen from all over the country.  Lakes Marion and Moultrie are the best freshwater striper fisheries around.

Further, there are two awesome golf courses just minutes away at Wyboo Plantation. 

This one closed this week but call/text Liz Black Fischer 803-460-9050 or email Liz@TheNeighborhoodRE.com and she will tell you what she knows about Manning, Clarendon Co., Lake Marion, and Wyboo Plantation!

Thank you!

Franklin Jones

If you have a Facebook or Instagram account, you’re likely aware that it’s very much awards season within the real estate sales industry.

On behalf of The Neighborhood Company – Keller Williams Palmetto, I want to thank our clients, friends, family, raving fans, and referral partners for another wonderful year. While the medals in the image above are fun, the core joy of our profession derives from the happiness of our buyer and seller clients.

Congratulations to Elizabeth W. Ross, Liz Black Fischer, Elizabeth Laffitte, Sarah Penn, Sara Green, Meghan Hesley, and Meredith Honeycutt for making The Neighborhood Company the Top Producing Group within our Downtown franchise, and Amy Ackerman Cartin for making it happen behind the scenes!

Special shout out to Elizabeth Ross and Liz Black Fischer for qualifying for The Central Carolina’s REALTOR Association Circle of Excellence! This award is given to real estate professionals that achieve a certain level of sales production, combined with a standard of involvement within our local professional association.

Congratulations to our buyers and sellers and we look forward to an awesome 2021!

Thank you!

Franklin Jones

I love every weekend with my family and the best thing, by far, that happened on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the Midlands was the Inaugural Jonathan Bankhead Memorial Tennis Tournament at Rockbridge Club in Forest Acres, South Carolina.

While I was all signed up to play with Stephen Denemark, I tore my calf muscle the day before the tourney started (quick shout out to John Carrington for taking my spot). That all said, while I wasn’t part of the tennis action, Jennifer and I wanted to be there on Saturday to support our friend, Vanessa Bankhead.

Vanessa was there when my late wife, Kinsey, passed away and I won’t forget it. She’s also a beloved teacher at my daughter’s school, Brennen Elementary, of which I’m super proud.

I would like to report that 250ish tennis players registered for Bankhead’s Tournament. It was such an overflow that some of the matches had to be played at Spring Valley CC a few miles away. The doubles match that I was supposed to be a part of didn’t finish until 11:00 PM Saturday night. That all said, and even more badass, the ceremonial check in the image above reads, “$35,000.”

WELL DONE to the folks that put this awesome event together and to Forest Acres and Rockbridge Club for the first class and awesome atmosphere and experience.

Thank you & see you next year!

Franklin Jones

Someone better check our newest listing Liz Black Fischer just put on the market in Spring Valley Neighborhood….and fast!

I’ll let the pics and write-up do the talking but this is a ton of everything. 145 Kerryton Road – 5 Beds / 3,900 sq. ft. and a lot of awesomeness. Check it out and call/text Liz @ 803-460-9050 or email Liz@TheNeighborhoodRE.com and she can tell you what’s what!

Thank you!

Franklin Jones

Gorgeous all-brick home in Spring Valley is move-in ready! Features hardwood floors on main level and new luxury vinyl plank flooring in basement. Both formal living and dining rooms offered, plus the cozy family room with vaulted beamed ceilings, fireplace, and wetbar. Renovated eat-in kitchen with tiled backsplash, stainless appliances, granite counters, fireplace, and task area. Spacious owners suite with dual closets and private bath. 3 more bedrooms on main floor share a hall bath with double vanity. The lower level has a recently added full kitchen to make this an in-law suite with the family room, 5th bedroom, and full bath. Garage has epoxy floors and can hold 6 vehicles alongside the workshop areas. Laundry areas on each floor. All pex plumbing. Screened porch and deck overlook the huge fenced backyard with 55,000 gallon heated saltwater pool with swimming lane, waterfall feature, and new electric heater. Dont miss this one!

This edition of The HotSheet includes the most recent homes to hit Downtown Columbia, SC’s real estate market in the last two weeks. As of 11:55 PM, the fastest site in the industry is featuring 42 new listings for sale.

The areas include the zips 29201, 29204, 29205, 29206, and 29209, with a price range of $100,000 to $Zillion. Remember!!… No big deal if you don’t want to ‘register’ to look deeper at a particular property. Simply type in my initials or the word “Blog” (or whatever you can think of “Cocks,” “Tigers”), and shoot in a random email address in the field. Even if you don’t want to register or ‘poser register,’ you can still get a good glimpse of what’s new to the market by simply scrolling around the Gallery Page.

If you or anyone you know would like more information about any of these Downtown Columbia properties for sale, or if you’re interested in putting your home on the market, please call 803-447-8683 or email Franklin@TheNeighborhoodRE.com .

Happy clicking and Thank you!!

Franklin Jones

Check out this awesome bungalow-style home in the super popular Forest Hills Neighborhood! I’m pretty sure this will be under contract within hours but I still wanted to get it on the blog.

If you or anyone you know would like to know more about this awesome house on Stratford Road, please call or text Elizabeth Ross @ 803-917-3889 or email Elizabeth@TheNeighborhoodRE.com and she can tell you what she knows!

Thank you!

Franklin Jones