wistv.com - Columbia, South Carolina |Palmetto and Summit Clubs merge

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - For decades, the Palmetto and Summit Clubs has catered to many of Columbia's most successful and influential.

Last year, the members of the clubs decided to join forces. Soon, both will have a new home in the heart of downtown Columbia.

At Sumter and Lady Street a notice for a public hearing is posted in the window of the old Palmetto club building, where the new club will be located. This marks another step in the process to create a new gathering place for the city's movers and shakers.

Late next year, the club will be the site of meeting rooms, a new dining facility, a rooftop terrace and other amenities for the now-merged Palmetto and Summit Clubs.

"Right now the plan calls for the club to have the two, the main floor and the second floor of the Creason Building and the space on the Lady Street end of the main floor is going to be converted into what would be called casual dining or grill room, tap room, what have you," said Charles Dibble of the Palmetto Club. "For decades, the two clubs have brought together Columbia's upscale residents for exclusive, members-only socializing."

Last fall, both clubs voted on the merge, creating an organization that now includes nearly 1200 members.

According to Dibble, there were mutual friends amongst each club.

Palmetto Club members have been meeting in the Summit Club space on the 20th floor of the Wilbur Smith tower, while renovations began at the Palmetto Club's Sumter Street building.

The plan will soon connect that building with the Creason Building which is located next door, forcing the Roly Poly restaurant to some other location.

Club members, who've been use to the spectacular view 20 floors up, will have to accept a more down-to-earth location. Construction on the project is supposed to be completed by November 2012.