 Hi, my name is Melissa Lynn learn the director for the office of business opportunities, and we're so excited to join you and mr Ashanti Thomas today in celebrating the opening opening of Swift brand and five points also known as the original village neighborhood There's certainly a trend in the number of new innovative businesses locating in our great city the Swift brand You are certainly part of that great trend. We're excited about the innovation But we are even more excited about the innovation that comes from a commercial district that is diverse Inclusive and reflective of the surrounding neighborhoods that it serves That innovation creates community and that community becomes an engine of economic success for everyone As shown today with the business leaders that are present our phenomenal mayor our two city council members Councilman McDowell and councilman Brandon that represent this great district as well as a five-point business Association you not only have a village behind you, but you have an entire city Councilwoman. Thank you councilwoman Tina Herbert since her regrets, but wants me to reassure you She has court today that she will certainly come by here and spend some money I will I will not I know I'm in there too, but Ashanti We are so happy for you and we look forward to being a part of your journey and also a part of that village. Thank you Hey, everyone. Thank you for coming I'm happy that we've gotten to this point Took a lot of scrambling a lot of weeks to get this all together I did a lot of pain. I put three coats of pain in there on that wall walls in there all by myself, so But yeah, I'm happy that we've gotten to this point the city of Columbia has helped me tremendously Y'all have been behind me sharing whether be sharing it on Instagram or having a meeting with me It has been just very helpful and I've been telling people, you know We there's a lot of opportunity at Columbia a lot of opportunity for something like this and y'all prove me right, you know, so Thank you for that. I just want to say thank you to everybody my girlfriend my mom my dad Everyone who's helped me To get this door open My little sister she she works she works for me at Soda City every Saturday and early six o'clock in the morning So, thank you little sis And you know my girlfriend makes it possible she watches the baby her mom watches the baby, which is I mean that is a huge help if you all know It is a great, but thank y'all for coming. Please enjoy yourself. We got the coffee bar We got Val or barista. She'll take care of you. So let her know what you want. Everything is on the house today. So Except the clothes but But thank y'all so much. I appreciate it Well It's another great day in Columbia as we say we're open for business, but you know, I want to really come in Mr. Thomas, it's just incredible to have an entrepreneurial spirit like he did and and some of you may not know his story But you know for me, it's kind of joyous that the first brick-and-mortar by Clemson grad is here and Columbia, South Carolina. So look it goes with our theme. We're open to everyone Now we're really excited for somebody to start off making t-shirts and Clothing and selling it as a student and that entrepreneurial spirit and then now having brick-and-mortars Is it it's just a testimony not only to to his family, but to himself and you know I know your daughter at the right time is going to really appreciate the what you're showing her on what what can Be done if you're determined and you want to do it I think this is an incredible story. This is this is the story that we want to keep telling in Columbia How we how businesses can grow and they they can prosper I spoke to mr. Thomas for a few minutes at Soda City And you know for somebody to take a trailer that's glassed in and draw people's attention in the thought process That he's gone through through his branding and social media and in building this concept. I hope He's people are looking to him and going I could do it He did it I could do it and learn from him because I'd like to see all across our city It doesn't matter if you're on North Bain or if you're in historic five points Or you're down in the Vista that you have an opportunity to start a business and be part of Columbia's future So mr. Thomas, thank you so much for choosing this place and let let us know however you can help We can help and we can help you continue to grow. Thank you very much Isn't it a great day in Columbia and I think you know that small businesses are drivers for this city of ours This business Swift the brand I've seen several several hoodies over there that I like He takes all credit cards I Was waiting for that Mr. Thomas look it is our honor To be able to cut this ribbon today in terms of the all of the hard work You and your family have done to make this a success five points is Five points. It's a driver for our city and this new business This new business of course represents all that is going to happen in five points, so welcome to the city Welcome to five points and May your trip and may your clothing Be synonymous With Swift brand Thank you, sir to Continue on with the welcome to the city of Columbia five points and District three welcome welcome welcome welcome. I'm Wilburton City Council district three member and I look around I see See a lot of small business owners in the audience and To own us to own and start a small business takes grit determination And vision so to see the from from concept to storefront is amazing and I am so Glad that the city of Columbia could could play a part in that Mr. Thomas our office of business opportunity has done a fantastic job Creating this business culture for us to grow Entrepreneurial spirits as as our wonderful mayor pointed out Miss Lendler and miss triggers fantastic job Fantastic job We at the city are here to grow small businesses with you with your Entrepreneurial spirits best way. I'm gonna give out the website to obo obo.columbiasd.gov Let's attract more wonderful businesses Mr. Thomas just just thank you so much for for making Not only Columbia your brand-building destination, but five points. Thank you so much And I mentioned to me needs to get involved with the merchants Association. So this segue perfectly right here We did give him a free membership We give all new businesses a free one their first year just because we wanted to be involved that um I'm Katie Renfrow and I'm on behalf of the five point association and our board of directors I thank you all for coming. We really appreciate you supporting the five point district and our small business centers like a Shanti Thomas and I'm I'm really stoked about this personally because I feel like five points has never seen a luxury street where retailer before and I think this is the Perfect opportunity to have him be here and open up here in our fair city in our fair district And our little village could definitely use somebody like just Shanti's business here. So we're very excited if you haven't seen his clothes yet, they're very Classic oriented, but he makes them very creative with the color choices and the small details He puts on every piece. So every piece I've noticed has an embroidery with this with brand and everything It's just great. So y'all definitely come in check it out. Enjoy some refreshments from drip and Come back tomorrow for his official opening to the public at noon. Thank you