The New Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce

If you were to ask someone to describe the town of Lake Wylie, your answer would vary greatly depending on who you asked.

If you asked a "newcomer" (someone who has been here fewer than 5 years), you'd probably hear about the fine schools, its convenience to Charlotte & Gastonia, the need for more restaurant choices, and the need for a Harris Teeter or Fresh Market or SOMETHING. Bi-Lo and Food Lion are doing the best they can do, but our grocery choices are pretty limited at this point.

If you asked someone who has lived in the Lake Wylie area for 10 years or more, the one word that would surely be part of their description is "change." And my, how it has changed! I remember how ten or so years ago you could pull into a gas station and buy a can of Coke and a cup of worms in side-by-side vending machines. How we had one grocery store, in the now-abandoned shopping center near the bridge. (Guess what - - it was a Harris Teeter!) How the Buster Boyd Bridge was lit with Christmas lights every year, and what a sight that was. How Five Points actually had five roads intersecting, and Three Points had three. (See my blog "Getting Around in Lake Wylie").

As for the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce back in those days, it was essentially a Gateway to River Hills. I was trying to find the Chamber to get a map and find out some information about opening a business. When I finally located the place, I found that it was closed. Its hours of business were only a few scattered through the week, unless you called ahead, left a message, waited for a call back . . .

That's why, when I recently visited the new Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce, I was thrilled to see a beautiful building, smiling faces inside, lots of brochures and maps, and a true resource for our community. They have a large conference table, nice seating areas, and a very welcoming atmosphere. It is located in the Shoppes at the Landing, 264 Latitude Lane.

Some signage along Hwy 49 would be helpful for visitors to the area, however. Unless you know where to go, the Chamber building is not easy to find, not visible from the road. Plus, it is located a couple of miles from the Buster Boyd bridge and the "Welcome to Lake Wylie" sign. No matter. If there's one thing certain about Lake Wylie, it's change.

For more information about the history of Lake Wylie, Lake Wylie community profiles, and buying and selling real estate in Lake Wylie, please visit my website, www. TheLakeWylieMan!