Landon and Jordan Thompson grew up in Nashville, so it is understandable that they love music and are accomplished musicians. Landon plays the guitar and piano and both of them are excellent vocalists as well. They are also artists and enjoy painting and crafts. In 2010 they moved to Earlewood and purchased their first home – a brick bungalow on Lakewood. Since then they have had a succession of home improvement projects. Landon says, “We love building things and making our house into a place that we really want to live in. If there’s an area of the house that is not enjoyable to look at, it won’t take us too long to change it!” Because of their passion for decorating in a thrifty way, they were featured on The Nate Berkus Show, “House Proud.” The show flew both of them to New York City for three days where they each remodeled a small chest-of-drawers in the thrifty DIY fashion and then presented them on the show to Nate. Jordan describes the trip as “…truly a wonderful experience!” In 2006 Landon and Jordan started their photography/videography business, Landon Jacob Productions, and specialize in capturing a couple’s journey from their engagement through their wedding. And now because many of their clients are having babies they are also beginning to add this subject matter to their repertoire!

How long have you lived in Earlewood?
We moved here in 2010 so just over two years.

Why did you choose to buy a home in Earlewood rather than other neighborhoods?
We were looking for a home just outside the downtown area of Columbia. Earelwood had a great mix of young, middle-aged, and older people, which was something we were looking for. We loved being close to a park, the interstate, and loved the bungalow styled homes.

What do like best about living here?
Being close to downtown Columbia, the park, the community garden, ECCO, community events, being close to the interstate since we travel, the neighborhood watch program, we love the street we live on and our home, and most importantly our neighbors and community. In just 2 years, we’ve become very close to all of our neighbors and several others who live in Earlewood and they are very dear to our hearts. It seems like many people who live in Earlewood share a lot of the same passions and hobbies, which is another reason of why we enjoy each and everyone’s company.

What would you like to see happen in Earlewood?
I can’t really think of much. I guess the only thing is I would love for there to be less theft in the area while school is out. It’s not really noticeable while school is in.

Clayton King and Jeffery Schwalk have called Columbia home for more than two years now. A native of Texas, Clayton grew up in Galveston and after school relocated to Austin. He and Jeffery lived in the state capital for 24 years when another state capital beckoned – Columbia. As a theater performance major, Clayton has spent the last 20 plus years as a creative entrepreneur in marketing and event management. In the early 2000s, he was a principal partner in an on-line jewelry business which focused on trend-setting jewelry for men. Prior to that, he served in executive and management positions in the travel and technology fields. Last month, Clayton opened Artizan, Columbia’s newest boutique at the corner of Bull and Gervais streets. The space was once part of the original Leon Ritter Furs storefront dating back to the 1930s. Leon Ritter split the store, creating the suite at 1217 Bull Street. For 20 years, the space was a beauty parlor which catered to fashionable ladies, but since 1976 has been vacant – until Artizan. “The transformation of our showroom has been a fun and exciting and sometimes daunting experience,” says Clayton, whose creative touch permeates the premises. “I am excited to be in downtown Columbia. The space provides a simple but comfortable and elegant showroom to visit.”

“Our goal is to be, at once, serious in intent and casual in style,” he said.

Artizan has brought together an eclectic collection of local and national artists in its intimate showroom. It’s an interesting juxtaposition of a contemporary setting housed in a 1930s retail building.

Customers will see art from known artists as well as some who are emerging in their disciplines. In addition to more traditional mediums such as oils and water color, offerings are found in textiles, glass and pottery.
“We take great pride in being an importer and seller of many varieties of pearls, including cultured freshwater, cultured saltwater (Akoya), South Seas and Tahitian,” he said. Artizan works closely with major suppliers around the world to make sure it has a diverse selection in a variety of prices, he said.

Then there are blended pieces where art and function meet in the form of sterling chainmail and wire-wrapped jewelry. These pieces are wearable jewelry and collector’s pieces.

When asked specifically what is Artizan, Clayton replies: “It’s not just an art gallery. And it’s not just a jewelry store. It’s both and so much more!”

… answers the Call of the Wild

Savannah Summers, groomer and daughter of the owner of Critter Coiffures on Elmwood Avenue, quite naturally is an animal lover. But she takes that love a step further than most.

“Here at Critter Coiffures we carry products provided by Pets Incorporated and filter the funds back to them,” said the young Earlewood resident and budding entrepreneur.

“If you are interested in adopting a pet, please consider a rescue. Pets Inc. takes unwanted and unable to keep pets,” she said. “There are so many types of dogs and cats available.” Savannah often grooms the dogs and cats rescued by Pets Inc for free.

Savannah, who will soon turn 18, was born in Columbia, but lived on the barrier Islands, Johns Island and Seabrook Island most of her life. She grew up fostering a wide range of wild animals. She has cared for possums, raccoons, squirrels, birds and reptiles, including logger head turtles. Savannah also had a selection of personal pets, including, but not limited to frogs, lizards, turtles, fish, birds, cats, dogs and chickens!

From the age of 12, Savannah volunteered as an intern during the summers at the Barrier Island Environmental Center on Seabrook, and became a certified “Rescue Naturalist.” Soon after graduating from the South Carolina School of Dog Grooming she helped her mother open Critter Coiffures. Both recognized that the residents of Elmwood Park and Cottontown needed a convenient place to get their animals groomed. Critter Coiffures also offers boarding and pet-sitting services. Their business is located in Captain Telegram’s offices on Elmwood Avenue and the website is crittercoiffures.com.

Savannah lives on Keenan Drive with her mother, Leigh, and two brothers, Elijah and Solomon, plus two dogs and two cats.

What do you like about living in Earlewood?
I love Earlewood Park and that there are so many trees in our neighborhood. I live next to Smith Branch and a natural section of Earlewood Park, so there is a lot of wildlife nearby. We put out bird seed every day and have several cardinal families that live next door. Each morning they come and peck on my window to let me know they are hungry!

What improvements would you like to see in Earlewood?
I’m excited about the new dog park and can’t wait for it to open. This will be a great amenity for Earlewood Park and our neighborhood and I look forward to using it. I would like for Earlewood residents to be more involved in Pets, Inc. and support the work they do.

Robin Hallyburton is into the arts. So it was no wonder that she and her husband, Scott, acquired one of the newly built Craftsmen-style houses that blended with their desire for to be in an established neighborhood.A classically trained bassist, Robin is Development Director for the South Carolina Philharmonic. She grew up in Spartanburg, graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in music and then launched a professional career that included heading up development for The Atlanta Opera before coming to Columbia.
“I’m responsible for fundraising and stewardship,” said Robin about her position with one of Columbia’s most prestigious arts organizations. “I’m very lucky. I work with great people in a field that I truly love.”And she’d like to share that love – “I would like to offer my Earlewood neighbors a half-priced ticket to a concert. Just let me know if you are interested.”Robin and Scott married in 2008. “We met when our mutual friends asked us to be godparents of their daughter,” she said. She and Scott, who works for SCANA, have a Chihuahua named Snack “who has met many Earlewood dogs at the park.”

How long have you lived in Earlewood?
Scott and I moved to Earlewood in September 2008.

What do you like about our neighborhood?
There are so many things I love about Earlewood. The diversity of our neighbors, accessibility to the city, the beautiful homes and meeting new folks.

Why did you decide to move to Earlewood?
Scott and I wanted a home in an established neighborhood vs. a development. We have a good friend, Jenny Satterwaite, who lives in Earlewood and she encouraged us to check it out. We saw a new house being built on Darlington and fell in love with its style and features. Brent Dohn is the designer/builder of our home and he recently became a resident of Earlewood, too.

What changes would you like to see in Earlewood?
I would like the neighborhood to be safer, particularly during evening hours.

Ford Mason grew up in Miami, Florida. He completed his undergraduate degree in psychology at Florida State and received his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of South Carolina. Dr. Mason worked in the SC Department of Corrections as the Chief Psychologist and a Mental Health Coordinator. After his retirement, he developed Mason Properties, wherein he owns and manages 21 rental properties including a recently constructed 8 bedroom mountain lodge in Montreat, NC.Ford and his wife, Martha, have lived in Earlewood for 35 years. They moved to Keenan Drive shortly after their marriage. They both have been very active in ECCO. His wife was the first president of the organization, and Ford has held the presidency twice and served in many other offices. He has been responsible for newsletter distribution for a number of years.Ford and Martha have two children, Jonathan and Jennifer, who attended neighborhood schools, (McCants Elementary, Rhame Elementary and St. Andrews Middle) and were honor graduates at Dreher High School, and the University of South Carolina Honors College. Jonathan is pursuing a doctorate in Mathematics and Jennifer is pursuing a doctorate in Industrial Engineering.

What do you like most about living in Earlewood?
Earlewood is in the heart of the city and is close to everything, but it has a distinctly country feel. Our architecturally designed home is on an acre lot, which drops 25 feet to Smith Branch, giving us a beautiful mountain setting. We have a diverse neighborhood wherein everyone is accepted and accepting, and there are a lot of young people who are stimulating and interesting.

What makes Earlewood distinct?
We have one of the most beautiful parks in the city, with many sophisticated activities and programs for the benefit of the neighborhood. The trees and lush foliage in the neighborhood create a beautiful environment. It’s a great place to walk and to meet others walking.

What is the biggest challenge facing Earlewood?
Earlewood’s neighborhood association is widely recognized as one of the best and most progressive in the city. The association has taken a leadership role in bringing proper zoning, design preservation, and community policing to the neighborhood, and making major improvements to Earlewood Park. The commercialization of River Drive has been stopped and many positive decisions about the neighborhood have been accomplished and disputes resolved with ECCO support.
Unfortunately, only around 200 people are members of our association and only around 50 people are consistently active. All residents of Earlewood should be active members of the organization ($10 per family and $5 per individual) and we should all vote in city elections. Through these simple procedures ECCO could accomplish more and our neighborhood could gain higher levels of city support.

What change have you noticed in recent years?
More young professionals are moving to Earlewood and, like us, are not afraid to raise their children in this wonderful neighborhood.