When father and son, Dean and Jeff Holder decided to renovate the old LeJuans building in downtown Pickens, little did they know, today they would be restaurant owners. “Daddyand I had lots of fun working together remodeling the building. Our hope was that someone would lease the building sharing our vision for a restaurant that would be a modern version of what it once was. We listened to quite a few groups with their ideas but when we met with Chef Lee Pollard, we knew we had what felt like the perfect fit for Pickens,” says Jeff.

Lee brings to Pickens and the surrounding community over 50 years of experience and hard work cultivating his love of serving the very best. Previously, Lee was with Calhoun Corners and Pixie & Bill’s Restaurants in Clemson and most recently with Lee’s Café 11, named for Lee, located at the Market on Highway 11 with the Cliff’s Communities to name a few. Because of his reputation for preparing delicious meals, Lee has many repeat customers who continue to follow him enjoying his talents and gifts of fine food preparation. Lee continues his love of cooking at the GateHouse Restaurant, which offers a unique dining experience blending traditional, southern cuisine with touches of upscale dining in a family atmosphere. Come as you are and enjoy an eclectic menu that has something sure to suit every taste.

An award-winning chef, Lee was honored in 1981 for his soup recipe in South Carolina Cook Book. In 2005, The Heritage Corridor showcased his delicious peach crepes and in 2007, Chef Pollard won the “Best of the Best” in Southern Living Magazine for his peach cobbler. His barbeque has also been recognized statewide among various publications as well.

The restaurant also features historic Hagood Mill’s grits, which are available on the buffet, accompany the featured appetizer, Fried Green Tomatoes and are served with the ever-popular Shrimp & Grits entree’. The grits are also sold at the restaurant in the Grab & Go case, along with Lee’s homemade signature salad dressings, sandwich spreads, homemade cookies and various other selections. Additionally, the Boar’s Head Deli case offers sliced meats and cheeses to go or you can order a Ham orTurkeyfor any special occasion.

The GateHouse Restaurant offers full-service catering and has unlimited service available to assist you in planning your special event. The banquet room, which seats as many as 80, offers on-site dining for your business meeting or special event. Another option is our outdoor-kitchen at Willow Creek Ranch which allows onsite cooking. You can enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors, which features a rustic open air pavilion, picnic tables, fire pit and rambling creek.

“We would like to thank everyone who has supported us since early November”, Dean states. “Opening a restaurant has been a major challenge for a family with no restaurant experience. Our goal from day one has been to provide the best food and service we could for the people who come to the GateHouse Restaurant. With Lee’s guidance, we will strive to improve each day to make that happen.”

Located at 116 Ann Street in Pickens, GateHouse Restaurant is open Monday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m – 2:00 p.m. for lunch; 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. for dinner and on Sunday from 10:45 until 2:00 p.m. Take-out orders are also available by calling 864-507-4310.

Ted Sexton ,Chad Sexton, Rocky Sexton ,Colby Kelley

This month’s Chamber Member  is  Sexton’s Music and Games located at 307 Pumpkintown Hwy.  Owner Ted Sexton has operated Sexton’s Music and Games for over 40 years and has provided entertainment to businesses all over the southeast. With his sonChad, Sexton’s Music and Games provides a variety of games from bowing, golf and up-to-date internet games.  They also provide your business with top quality games, and friendly prompt service. Call Ted or Chad at 864-878-3938.

Hosted by local and area civic-minded organizations, the Azalea Festival resembles a large family reunion for Pickens County residents. It gives people who have been away a great opportunity to return for a visit with old friends.  The streets of Pickens fill with artists offering a variety of their work and crafts, local organizations handing out important information on a series of topics, and an assortment of food that will entice even the pickiest of eaters.  This is what our spring festival is all about.

Debbie Adcox store manager, Kelley O’Malley, Karen Findley, Delrita Bryson, Jason Looper, Sherry Golden, Mark Lee, and Crystal Crocker

Wells Fargo is Chamber Member of the Month

Wells Fargo Bank is this month’s chamber member of the month. Located at 431 Ann Street in Pickens, Wells Fargo provides a wide array of consumer and commercial financial services. Debbie Adcox, store manager will be glad to assist you.

Tom Smith, Mellisa Mote, Mark Patterson, Michael Thomas, Linda Berong, and Cindy Lolon

This month’s chamber member of the month is Thomas Realty. Located at 500 West Main Street in Pickens Thomas Realty has a well staffed group of local professionals with a combined 103 years of experience to assist you. Just call Michael Thomas owner at 864-898-1777 or email at thomas_realty@bellsouth.net.

The church is called New Beginnings Church of Pickens.   New Beginnings is a place where you can experience the love of God regardless of your past failures, mistakes or bad choices.  We know that Christ can give you a new beginning,  a new birth in a positive abundant life.  It doesn’t matter if you are single, married, single again, young, middle age or retirement age, whatever your status in life and regardless of how young, or young at heart you are… You too can experience a new beginning in Christ. Visit the church online at http://newbeginningschurch.cc.

Pastor Stewart says he felt called to start this new contemporary church in his hometown.  Already the church has baptized 10 people at the indoor pool at the Pickens County YMCA, have had weddings and even funerals. But most important is their commitment to meeting needs in Pickens.  The church’s mission is to fulfill the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). One way they do that is by engaging the culture in Pickens through mission work. Whether through feeding the hungry, passing out candy in Trunk of Treats in October, helping out Country Santa, or other mission opportunities, New Beginnings wants to impact lives and meet needs in Pickens. Almost every instance of Jesus ministering, he always took care of the physical needs and then the spiritual needs. We want to do the same.  Think of the blind getting their sight, feeding the multitudes, raising the dead, and healing the sick. We take seriously Matthew 25:31-46.“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:40).

Pastor Stewart invites those without a church home to become part of this mission opportunity. Come and get a New Beginning in outreach to those in need.  Again, look for them on Main Street Pickens Saturday, October 29th giving away candy at their Trunk of Treats.

Mayor David Owens, Dennis Ellenburg, David Eller, and Amy Gant Pickens Chamber of Commerce

A ribbon cutting was held for the new Pickens Auto Repair shop located at 105 West Jones Ave. in Pickens. Owners Dennis Ellenburg and David Eller along with experience mechanics can provide professional service for your car and truck needs. Call or go by and talk with Dennis and David at 864-878-6348.

Clark Purbaugh, Flowers and Gifts by Virginia

This month’s Chamber Member is Flowers and Gifts by Virginia. Located at 710 West Main Street in Pickens, Clark Purbaugh and Marty Sentell can provide flowers for any occasion. Visit their website at www.flowersbyvirginia.com

Amy Grant Pickens Chamber, Mayor David Owens, Betty Brown, Grace Dellinger , Cindy Forester, Noah Murphy owner, Stacie Wilson, And Katherine Brackett City of Pickens.

A ribbon cutting was held for Murphy’s Corner Ice Cream andSandwichparlor located onWest Main Streetin Pickens. Murphy’s Corner offers over 30 favorites of ice cream along with milkshakes just the way you like them. They also have sandwiches and hot dogs. Inside you will find Native American Indian art and crafts.

Diana Maynard, This Old House

This Old House Antique and Boutique is this month’s Pickens Chamber Member of the Month. When you enter This Old House Antique you are stepping back in time.
A one of a kind Antique Boutique right here on West Main Street in Downtown Pickens.

Freshly brewed coffee, baked cookie aroma and the friendly smiling staff welcomes you as you browse through the store. Antiques galore fill this quaint little shop. You will find anything from furniture to glass, lamps to rugs, paintings, to silver and much more.

If you’re looking for that one unique item to fill that special space, this is the place. “This Old House” says it all.