Estate Planning Attorney in Rock Hill, SC

FORT MILL — Hundreds of onlookers lined the entryway to the Anne Springs Close Greenway, huddled together in a cold drizzle as a group of 17 Buddhist monks on a “Walk for Peace” made their final stop in South Carolina.

Some held posters with encouraging messages, while others held flowers. Even more had umbrellas in hand.

The monks, dressed in orange robes, walked through a sea of people on either side, stopping occasionally to greet and accept gifts and well-wishes from the crowd.

Alongside those gathered at the greenway in Fort Mill, thousands more stood on the shoulder of Highway 21 to cheer on the monks on Day 81 of a journey that began on Oct. 26 in Fort Worth, Texas, and will end in Washington, D.C.

Damarys Cuevas and her daughter, Adelina Freire, traveled from Union County to see the monks. They had kept up with the walk on social media and enjoyed seeing how the monks connected with people. Seeing that they would stop in Fort Mill on Jan. 14, they made the drive.

“I wanted to support the monks on their journey,” Freire said.

Cuevas said seeing the way the monks unite people of all backgrounds spoke to her.

“It was just nice to see them in person,” she said. “Just to see that even through the rain, all of the miles, without sneakers, they’re still going through with it. They’re still going forward and they’re just smiling and talking to people even after all of that. It’s a powerful message.”

The monks entered York County on the evening of Jan. 13 and stopped to speak with visitors and spend the night at Catawba Baptist Church in Rock Hill.

Early on Jan. 14, they resumed their walk, making a brief stop at the Peach Stand, the combination bakery, butcher and convenience store along the U.S. 21 Bypass at Highway 160. According to their Facebook page, the owners said the unexpected visit was an honor.

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From there, they headed to a mid-day stop at the Anne Springs Close Greenway before making their way out of York County.

Amy Hayes and her son, Jude, of Rock Hill had joined the monks that morning as they passed the Aldi grocery store on Anderson Road. They walked behind them, along with dozens of others, to the Fort Mill stop.

“We waited until they passed, and we weren’t sure if we were going to follow them but it just sort of felt right so we stepped in right behind one of the monks,” Hayes said. “After we started, more and more people started coming.”

Hayes said she believes the monks’ simple message of peace is giving people hope. She saw some spectators weeping along the route as the monks passed by.

“I really like the idea that peace is something you do with your feet,” Hayes said. “It’s the motion aspect of it, and that coming at this particular time in history is astounding. And if peace is something we can make with our feet, then I’m willing to put in the sweat equity for that.”

After lunch at the Greenway Gateway visitor center, the monks’ trip leader Bhikkhu Pannakara addressed the crowd gathered outside.

He thanked the people of York County for their love and hospitality and encouraged those in the crowd to live a life of kindness, compassion and mindfulness.

“We alone cannot finish this task,” he said. “We have to walk together to make this world a better place for our future generations, for ourselves as well. So now we’re going to walk together.”

The monks were without their four-legged companion, Aloka, as they walked through York County.

The rescue dog, a celebrity in its own right, underwent surgery for a leg injury on Jan. 12, shortly after passing through Columbia.

“Aloka was supposed to come back with us last night,” Pannakara told the crowd, though his return was delayed due to physical therapy required to recover.

“They requested two weeks. And I negotiated,” Pannakara said, laughing. “I said, ‘No.’ So I gave them a week.”

The monks gave peace bracelets to attendees before setting out for their next stop in Charlotte, having felt the support of thousands in York County and many thousands more in South Carolina over the last nine days.

The historic, century-old Andrew Jackson Hotel site in Rock Hill will welcome guests again, this time as a 56-room, $30 million downtown hotel focused on employing people with disabilities.

The Lantern Hotel will open this fall with a restaurant, bar, private speakeasy, event space and private dining room, developers announced Tuesday. Hotel management company Raines joins The Warren Norman Company, Noble Food and Pursuits, telecommunications company Comporium and educational employment program WinthropLIFE on the project.

The Warren Norman Company bought the former hotel site at 223 E. Main St., most recently called the Guardian Building, in late 2023. Two separate deals included seven properties, York County land records show, that sold for a combined $3.3 million. The Rock Hill developer acquired both the 42,000-square-foot hotel building and the adjacent 6,000-square-foot Roddey Trust Building.

In early 2024, the developer stated plans for a restaurant with multiple floors, retail and office space.

The hotel plan emerged, Warren Norman Company managing partner Warren Norman told The Herald on Tuesday, as a way to add onto a piece of Rock Hill’s history.

“It’s definitely going to be impactful for downtown Rock Hill,” he said. “It’s got so much history with it. Just the character, you can see it.”

Employment for people with disabilities

The latest vision brings the property back to its hotel roots, while providing jobs in partnership with Winthrop University’s higher education program for students with intellectual disabilities, WinthropLIFE.

“The hospitality industry is a perfect opportunity to train and equip people with differing abilities to not only provide job opportunities, but to learn skills to apply to other job opportunities elsewhere,” Norman said.

The target is to have 30% of jobs at The Lantern available for people with special needs.

Norman did something on a smaller scale with The Perch, a mix of restaurant and retail space near Winthrop University. Miracle Park in Rock Hill has a similar employment element.

Lantern general manager Rick Hayduk will bring experience from a similar setup at a Lantern Hotel set to open this month in Columbia.

The Rock Hill hotel will be a step up from employment programs at The Perch or Miracle Park, Norman said, and could be a step toward other job options.

Jim Noble restaurant for Rock Hill

Long-time Charlotte area restaurateur Jim Noble signed on for a new restaurant.

His company has opened a host of eateries in the Charlotte region since 2000, including Bossy Beulah’s in downtown Fort Mill three years ago. Noble Food & Pursuits also has a history of providing food, funding and job opportunities to support people facing homelessness.

The Lantern will be a four-star hotel, Norman said, and the new restaurant will fit into that model. “I would expect that it’ll be one of, if not the nicest restaurants in town,” he said.

History of the Andrew Jackson Hotel

The historic marker for the Andrew Jackson Hotel notes that it was built in 1926 when the citizens of Rock Hill raised more than $250,000 to fund it. That’s about $4.6 million in today’s dollars.

It was named for Andrew Jackson, the nation’s seventh president. He was born in the Waxhaws region of the Carolinas between the two states in 1767.

In addition to providing rooms for guests, the hotel hosted performances and even recording sessions for popular country or gospel artists in the late 1930s.

The Rock Hill Chamber of Commerce had its office there before the hotel closed in 1970. Vernon Grant, famed illustrator known for creating the SNAP! CRACKLE! AND POP! characters for Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal, worked there.

The hotel was remodeled in the 1980s, operating since as a downtown office.

More hotels headed to Rock Hill

The new downtown hotel comes at a time when at least two more Rock Hill hotels are under development.

Primo Investments aims to start construction this summer on two upscale hotels near Interstate 77 and Celanese Road. That $30 million project will add a Residence Inn by Marriott, and a hotel brand still to be determined.

The two hotels will combine for 237 rooms.

York County has 45 hotels, with others under construction or in development.

Two new Rock Hill hotels are planned for the city, part of a $30 million investment from one of the region’s most experienced hotel companies.

Primo Investments plans to build a Residence Inn by Marriott, President and CEO Hitesh Patel told The Herald in an exclusive interview Monday. Patel is in conversation with companies like Hilton and Marriott to determine which brand the second hotel will be.

Combined, the hotels will add 237 rooms and 50 jobs to the area. The hotels are planned near the city’s busiest interchange on Interstate 77.

Fort Mill-based Riverchase Realty applied to rezone more than 13 acres for the hotels at 1505 and 1515 Riverchase Blvd. That’s just off Exit 82 where Celanese and Cherry roads meet the interstate.

It’s also near several large apartment sites and an Atrium Health medical complex.

About Primo Investments and the Rock Hill hotels project

Riverchase Realty is affiliated with Primo Investments, a hotel ownership and management group that started in Rock Hill nearly 50 years ago. Primo Investments has properties across the Carolinas including several in Rock Hill and Fort Mill.

The company works with brands like Marriott, Hilton, Choice Hotels, Wyndham, Best Western and Red Roof.

Primo recently bought the Hampton Inn off Dave Lyle Boulevard in Rock Hill. Since 2019, it built a La Quinta in Rock Hill and a Tru by Hilton in Fort Mill. Older projects built by the company include Best Western and Red Roof sites in Rock Hill.

“We’ll have a pretty nice footprint in the area,” Patel said. “We take a lot of pride in being local to the area and building in the area.”

Construction should start this summer and take two years to complete. Both hotels will be four-story upscale options. They’ll combine for 145,000 square feet.

A couple of years before COVID hit, York County saw a hotel boom with new sites mainly in the Rock Hill and Fort Mill areas. There haven’t been as many new hotels since, due in part to the pandemic that limited overnight stays for a time.

“There was a lot of supply that came in pre-COVID,” Patel said, “and then there was a little bit of a lull period for four or five years, just with all the supply that came in and the demand needing to be absorbed.”

Other hotels in the Rock Hill region

Visit York County now lists 45 hotels in the area.

In addition to Rock Hill and Fort Mill, there have been hotel proposals in areas like Lake Wylie and York. A downtown hotel under construction in York is part of revitalization plans city officials set in motion five years ago.

Mayor Mike Fuesser previously called that Hampton Inn and Suites project a $17 million investment in the heart of downtown.

The 97-room downtown York hotel should be completed late this year, said York City Manager Dalton Pierce.

Rezoning for the two Rock Hill hotels will go to the city’s Planning Commission on Tuesday for a recommendation. Rock Hill City Council will make the final decision on rezoning.

Rock Hill’s hospitality industry has received a major boost as the city is going to have its first boutique hotel in 2026. The Lantern Hotel will not only provide luxury accommodation but also a unique travel experience with the main aim of hiring people with disabilities. The collaboration among Raines, The Warren Norman Company, Noble Food and Pursuits, Comporium, and WinthropLIFE will result in the establishment of an extraordinary hotel that unites community influence and premium service.

The Lantern Hotel will occupy a space rich in history, located in the Andrew Jackson Hotel, formerly known as the Guardian Building. The development promises not only boutique comfort but also a new standard in inclusive hospitality. This initiative builds on a similar project in Columbia, South Carolina, where the Lantern Hotel concept has proven successful. Rock Hill’s new hotel aims to provide a bespoke travel experience while making a tangible difference in the local community.

A Unique Mission: Inclusive Hospitality and Employment Opportunities

The Lantern Hotel Rock Hill will offer 56 guest rooms, along with high-end amenities such as The Noble restaurant, bar, private speakeasy, and event space. However, what sets this hotel apart is its mission to hire individuals with disabilities. This initiative aligns with the hotel’s broader goal of creating opportunities in the hospitality industry for people with differing abilities.

The partnership with WinthropLIFE, a transition program at Winthrop University designed to prepare students with intellectual and developmental disabilities for competitive employment, will be at the heart of this mission. This programme will provide job training and real-world experience for individuals with disabilities, helping them gain transferable skills for future employment. The emphasis on inclusivity will make The Lantern Hotel a leader in accessible tourism, offering a model that other destinations can follow.

Creating a Luxurious Destination for Travellers

Beyond its inclusivity, The Lantern Hotel promises an exceptional travel experience with an emphasis on luxury and service. Guests will be treated to an elevated level of comfort and personalised care. The hotel’s design will be a harmonious blend of modern amenities and the building’s historic features, creating an atmosphere of charm and sophistication.

The hotel will also include a private dining room, membership program, and several exclusive experiences, making it a unique offering in the Rock Hill area. The Noble restaurant will serve high-quality, locally sourced food, ensuring that guests experience the best of South Carolina’s cuisine. This combination of great service and community impact ensures that The Lantern Hotel will be a must-visit destination for travellers seeking something special.

A Commitment to Revitalising Downtown Rock Hill

The Lantern Hotel is part of a larger movement to revitalise downtown Rock Hill. By investing in the city’s infrastructure and creating opportunities for local residents, the hotel is set to become a catalyst for further development. Local businesses and the community will benefit from the increased tourism and employment opportunities created by this project. The hotel’s commitment to inclusivity will also set a new standard for the hospitality industry, particularly in regions like Rock Hill, where inclusive hospitality is not yet widespread.

Comporium, a key partner in the project, has been an advocate for improving the quality of life in the Carolinas for over 130 years. Their involvement in the Lantern Hotel project underscores the collaborative effort to enhance Rock Hill’s community spirit and provide jobs for people who are often overlooked in the employment market.

A New Chapter for Rock Hill’s Hospitality Sector

The Lantern Hotel in Rock Hill is more than just a place to stay. It is a beacon of inclusive hospitality, luxury, and community development. As it opens its doors in the fall of 2026, it will not only offer guests a high-end boutique experience but will also contribute to the local economy by providing meaningful job opportunities for individuals with disabilities. This hotel will set a new standard for the industry, proving that luxury, service, and inclusivity can go hand in hand.

The Lantern Hotel, with its dedication to providing accessible employment, its extravagant services, and its part in the revitalization of downtown Rock Hill, is ready to take a position as a transformative force in the hotel industry. For guests looking for a destination that is more than the usual, this hotel has a promise of something really exceptional.

COLUMBIA — A group of about 20 Buddhist monks — and their loyal rescue dog, Aloka — are walking more than 2,000 miles across the Southeastern United States to promote peace and harmony.

Soon, their journey will bring them to S.C.’s capital city.

The monks began their journey in Fort Worth, Texas, on Oct. 26. Despite injuries and exhaustion, the monks have persevered, meeting thousands along the way, where they give out prayer bracelets and speak with those who came to see them.

The group, Walk for Peace USA, spent their New Year’s in the Atlanta, Ga., area. They’ll make their way through rural Georgia before crossing into South Carolina, according to Walk for Peace’s route map.

The monk’s route, as of Jan. 2, will take them through Edgefield County and into Batesburg-Leesville. From there, the group of Buddhist monks will trek through rural Lexington County before roughly following U.S. 1 in West Columbia into the capital. As of Jan. 2, the City of Columbia had not received any permit requests or notifications of an event in the city.

Once the monks hit Columbia, they’ll turn north and begin the walk to Charlotte with a planned stop in Rock Hill, according to the overview map.

As of 3 p.m. on Jan. 2, the monks were about 173 miles from Columbia. Google Maps predicts a journey of that length will take a walker 63 hours.

The journey will end in Washington, D.C, which the monks and Aloka are expected to reach in early February.

Along the way, droves of people have come out to meet the monks, who walk from sun up to sunset, often camping in tents at night. In one Georgia city, the mayor arranged for the group of monks to receive medical care. In many cities, they lead meditations and chantings, and pass out blessing cords, Buddhist symbols of protection, good luck and spirituality.

The journey is being followed by hundreds of thousands of people online, where regular updates on the monks are posted to Facebook.

To follow along on their live route, go to walkforpeace.short.gy/live-map. For the overall route, head to walkforpeace.short.gy/overview-map. To follow along with the standout star of the group, Aloka, head to facebook.com/alokathepeacedog