SALUDA COUNTY, S.C. — New life is coming to the Lake Murray Resort and Marina.
The venue is located on Sandalwood Road in Leesville, in a cove near the Saluda River. Donna Giesler, with the resort, said the property is under new ownership and management.
"It is the only lakefront event venue on Lake Murray. It is 3,500 square feet with indoor and outdoor seating," she said. "We will have a private beach club and entertainment for the community."
Greg Lee lives directly across from the marina, has fond memories of the bar and restaurant, and recalls it closing shortly after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It ended up going on the market, [the] second wave of COVID hit, they pulled it back off the market, so it stayed vacant for a while," he said. "It was amazing. They had great bands, great food; always had live entertainment."
Giesler said the marina will have leased slips and a partnership with Carefree Boat Club, a boat rental business.
"There's still some beach clean-up to come, that's why we're planning to open in May," she said. "There's still some painting and some general clean-up, but for the most part, we're ready."
The ownership also announced a partnership with a local chef who will run the "Cove" restaurant on the property.
Giesler said they are now planning the opening in phases.
"Things are happening so fast, and there's so many things happening. April 1, Carefree Boat Club will launch its season here with a full fleet of boats," she said. "May 4, the restaurant will open; May 14, the beach club should open."
Lee said he's excited to see a new investment in the location.
"Lexington is a booming community, and it's hard to get any places there, so it's all coming out this way," he said. "Which makes this place ideal, where you can - this place is a place where you'd want to come, sit down, and spend your day."
Visit their social media for more on the resort's opening.