Portfolio Spotlight: Honoring History and Fueling Growth in Cheraw, SC
Cheraw, South Carolina, is a town rich with history. Known as "The Prettiest Town in Dixie," its streets are lined with antebellum homes and lush azaleas. It is also, most famously, the birthplace of one of the 20th century's most influential musicians: jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie.
For small historic towns like Cheraw, this rich culture is a powerful draw for tourism. However, to translate that tourism into real economic growth, you need modern infrastructure. Visitors, whether they're families, business travelers, or festival-goers, need high-quality, reliable lodging.
This is precisely why Co-X Properties, in partnership with Sandlin Investments, developed the SpringHill Suites by Marriott in downtown Cheraw.
Honoring a Local Legend
From the very beginning, this project was designed to be more than just a hotel; it was an investment in Cheraw's unique identity.
The clearest example of this is the on-site restaurant and bar: Dizzy's Bar & Grill. Named in honor of Cheraw's "most famous son," the restaurant pays homage to Dizzy Gillespie and the town's deep roots in jazz. This thoughtful integration ensures the property serves as a genuine part of the community, not just a building placed on top of it.
By providing a modern hub, the hotel is now a key supporter of cultural tourism, including the annual South Carolina Jazz Festival, which celebrates Gillespie's legacy and draws visitors from all over the country.
A Catalyst for Economic Growth
A high-quality, branded hotel is a powerful piece of economic infrastructure. For Cheraw, the SpringHill Suites has been a true catalyst for growth in three distinct ways:
It Enables Tourism: With 102 modern suites, the hotel provides the first upscale, branded lodging in the historic district. This gives tourists visiting Cheraw State Park, the jazz festival, or the town's historic sites a reliable and comfortable place to stay, which in turn means they stay longer and spend more at local businesses.
It Attracts Business: Modern hospitality is critical for supporting local industry. The SpringHill Suites gives business travelers visiting the area's major corporations a professional and reliable home base, making Cheraw a more attractive and viable location for corporate operations and investment.
It Spurs New Development: The success of an "anchor" project like this breeds confidence. As noted in Cheraw's Downtown Master Plan, the opening of the SpringHill Suites was a "significant" milestone in the town's redevelopment. It has encouraged further investment in surrounding downtown properties, helping to revitalize Market Street and create a more vibrant commercial center.
Our Commitment to Community
This project is a perfect example of the Co-X investment philosophy. As our co-founder, Paul Adkison, said at the hotel's opening, “Our investment is not only in the hotel, but also in the surrounding communities that make Cheraw a great place to visit, work, and play.”
The SpringHill Suites Cheraw stands as proof that a strategic investment in hospitality can successfully honor a town's history while providing the foundation for its future growth.
