Mortgage Broker in Irmo, SC

For nearly two decades, Midlands residents have delighted in the cookies, biscuits and other treats that have come out of the ovens at Blue Flour Bakery in Irmo.

But soon those ovens will be turned off for the final time.

Blue Flour owner Teri Pringle recently announced she will close the bakery, located at 7703 St. Andrews Road in Irmo, after 17 years in business. It will be open two days next week for its finale, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, May 11 and Friday, May 12.

Pringle said customers can begin making online cookie pre-orders for those final days at 6 p.m. Friday, May 5, at blueflour.com. There also will be a limited amount of cookies available for walk-in customers on May 11 and May 12, and they will be sold on a first come, first served basis.

While Blue Flour has made its mark on the Midlands culinary scene for the better part of two decades, Pringle said the time was simply right to retire the Irmo bakery.

“I just want to spend more time with friends and family,” she told The State. “I’ve got two girls in grad school, so this gives me more time to go travel and visit with them.”

Aside from the Irmo shop, there also once was a Blue Flour location on Main Street in Columbia. It was open from 2016 until fall 2020.

Before going into the bakery business, Pringle had a career in the hotel and hospitality industry. She worked for the Marriott corporation and the Hilton corporation, working in roles in catering and as a director of sales. She was later able to meld those business capabilities with her personal love of baking.

“I had a lot of background in marketing, branding and food and beverage,” she said. “Baking, I just did it for fun. It wasn’t something I went to school for. But, it seemed to all work out.”

Anyone who has ever had one of Blue Flour’s sweet, decadent cookies can confirm it did, indeed, work out. The cookies are, frankly, massive, with Pringle confirming that some of the cookies weighed in at nearly a half-pound each.

Customer loyalty has been a key to Blue Flour’s popularity through the years, Pringle said. She has seen generations of folks come through the Irmo shop’s doors.

“They are the ones who have made us successful,” Pringle said. “For all those years, the same people kept coming in. We have seen people who have been pregnant and their families come in and now their kids are 10, 12, 15. It’s like ‘Oh, my goodness.’ I think that’s the hardest thing to leave. It’s the customers that come in daily. It’s not so much that I’ll miss the actual baking part. It’s the seeing our customers every day.”

While it is exiting the Midlands scene, the Blue Flour name will live on in another part of the country. Pringle’s brother, Brian Florczyk, plans to use the name and offer baked goods at farmers’ markets in the Syracuse, New York, area.

Pringle admits there is a mix of feelings as she prepares to close the doors at Blue Flour.

“It’s always hard to close something you worked so hard to create,” Pringle said. “That’s the hard part of it. That, and missing the customers. But the great part, that I’m super excited about, is to enjoy some time doing what I’d like to do. As a bakery, we are working the holidays, we are working seven days a week. So it will be nice to wind down, do some projects at home. So, it’s like the whole bittersweet thing.”

Throughout Tim Whipple’s 40-plus years of coaching at Irmo High School, there haven’t been too many big men who’ve had an effect on the game like Brandon Crawford.

The 6-foot-9 Irmo center delivered another strong performance on offense and defense Monday in helping the Yellow Jackets to a 59-34 win over Lucy Beckham in the third round of the Class 4A playoffs.

Irmo advances to Whipple’s 14th state semifinal to face Hartstville, which knocked off defending champion Wilson. The winner of the Irmo-Hartsville game Friday at the Florence Center advances to next week’s state championship.

Crawford led the way for the Jackets with 15 points and six rebounds — and he changed the complexion of the game with seven blocks.

“He has single-handedly changed the focus of offenses,” Whipple said of Crawford. “And I have never had a player do that. It is a credit to him. He works hard. And being sick and not being out there, I think he realized how much he loved basketball and how much he missed it.”

The senior missed almost three weeks with mononucleosis but has since been dominant, averaging 13.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.6 blocks over Irmo’s last eight games including the playoffs.

The Class 4A Player of the Year blocked 11 shots in a game against Lugoff-Elgin on Feb. 10 that clinched the Region 5-4A championship.

Crawford said it was a bit of an adjustment to get back into shape and regain chemistry with his teammates. The Yellow Jackets changed things up a little with a more guard-oriented attack with him out, but everyone is on the same page now.

“It took me a minute to get back. They changed things on offense when I was out. I had to get used to that. But after that, it has been real easy,” Crawford said.

Whipple thinks the time Crawford was out was a turning point for his team. Irmo went 3-2 without him and was able to mistakes they learned during that stretch and turn them into positives.

“The guys have done a phenomenal job staying focused, living in the moment and doing everything they can to make things happen and not worry about tomorrow,” Whipple said.

Te’Andre Summons and Madden Collins each added 12 points for Irmo. Jonathan White added 10.

Irmo trailed 8-5 after the first quarter but shut out the Bengals in the second, outscoring them 17-0, and led 22-8 at halftime. The Yellow Jackets held Lucy Beckham to 29 percent shooting from the field.

Rowan Irelan led Lucy Beckham — a school located in Mount Pleasant — with eight points but was in foul trouble for most of the game.

SCHSL

Monday

Class 4A Boys

Irmo 59, Lucy Beckham 34

LB: Smith 7, Huber 2, Bailes 5, Irelan 8, Coakley 3, Allard 3, Miller 4. I: Brandon Crawford 15, Te’Andre Summons 12, Madden Collins 12, Jonathan White 10, Brand 7, Mason Collins 2, McLaughlin 1.

Class 3A Boys

Crestwood 68, Lower Richland 49

Tuesday

Class 4A Girls

James Island at Westwood

Ridge View at AC Flora

Class 3A Girls

Loris at Camden

Crestwood at Lower Richland

Class 2A Girls

Fairfield Central at Gray Collegiate

Keenan at Silver Bluff

Wednesday

Class 5A Boys

TL Hanna at Lexington

River Bluff at Conway

Class 2A Boys

Eau Claire at Gray Collegiate

Columbia at Keenan

Class 5A Girls

Lexington at Mauldin

Dorman at Spring Valley

Friday

Class 4A Boys

Irmo vs. Hartsville at Florence Center, 7:30 p.m.

SCISA

Monday

Class 4A Girls

Heathwood Hall 73, Augusta Christian 28

HH: Lauren Jacobs 19, Sabreya Monsanto 18, Shamarie Hayes 14, Camillea Gore 11, Spriggs 5, Laughlin 2, Mullins 2, Bowers 2. AC: Ellis 12, Jolly 9, Witt 5, Thomas 2

Northwood 45, Hammond 28

H: Khalil 8, Adams 3, Evans 2, Hyman 7, Stephens 3, Earl 3, Vincent 2.

Class A Girls

Cambridge 25, WW King 17

Tuesday

Class 4A Boys

Porter-Gaud vs. Hammond at Sumter Civic Center, 5 p.m.

Wilson Hall vs. Cardinal Newman at Sumter Civic Center, 8 p.m.

Ben Lippen vs. First Baptist at Sumter Civic Center, 6:30 p.m.

Class A Boys

Our Lady of the Rosary vs. WW King at Hammond, 3:30 p.m.

Newberry Academy vs. Charleston Collegiate at Hammond, 6:30 p.m.

Ragin Prep vs. Richard Winn at Hammond, 8 p.m.

Thursday

Class 4A Girls

Heathwood Hall vs. First Baptist at Sumter Civic Center, 6:30 p.m.

This story was originally published February 20, 2023, 10:04 PM.

Plans for a memorial to honor Muller are still in planning, but many in the Irmo community and beyond are already working to honor his memory.

IRMO, S.C. — The town of Irmo, and departments across South Carolina, are mourning the loss of a firefighter who lost his life on Friday while battling a Columbia apartment fire.

Now, the town he served is making a special effort to honor his memory.

James Michael Muller became trapped in a burning building at Tropical Ridge apartments when a portion of the building collapsed. In all, seven firefighters were taken from the scene with injuries according to Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins. Authorities said Irmo was providing aid to the Columbia-Richland Fire Department at the time.

Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford announced Muller's death later the same evening.

His loss has since reverberated across the state - especially among the close-knit fire service community in South Carolina and the town that Muller had served in his capacity as a firefighter for the last seven years - Irmo.

"As a respected member of the Irmo Fire Department, Firefighter J. Michael Muller played a pivotal role in safeguarding our community from the perils of fire and other emergencies," Irmo Mayor Barry Walker said in a statement on Saturday. "His commitment to public safety was unparalleled, and his actions will be remembered as a testament to his heroism and unwavering dedication to duty."

The mayor described Muller's spirit of selflessness and bravery as qualities that define the firefighting community.

"He fearlessly put himself in harm's way to protect the lives and property of others, demonstrating unwavering dedication to his duty as a firefighter," Walker continued. "We are forever indebted to him for his service and sacrifice."

The Irmo Fire District described him as a man with a love and passion for the job. But his impact also extended beyond the fire department, with the County of Lexington describing him as not only a brave firefighter, but also a "fierce friend, and a loving father, husband, son, and brother."

"We are sending our deepest condolences to the Muller family as they grieve this unimaginable loss," the county said in a statement - one of several to pour out from municipalities, law enforcement agencies, and fire departments across the state.

To honor his sacrifice and his life, Mayor Walker said that flags in the town would be flown at half-staff for seven days as, on this Memorial Day weekend, a community finds ways to memorialize a tragic loss still fresh in many hearts.

At this point, the mayor said details regarding a memorial service and other events are still in the planning stages with more information to come in the future.

In the meantime, Irmo Fire Chief Mike Sonefeld thanked the community for their outpouring of thoughts and prayers as they find their way through a difficult time.

Nicholas Cole has been back and forth with his HOA, Carriage Lane, for the past six months working to get a bus stop closer to his house for his kids' safety.

IRMO, S.C. — Back in January we told you about an Irmo father who was advocating for a closer bus stop.

He wasn't having much luck with his HOA, so he reached out to News 19.

Now, after months of back and forth between the HOA and the Cole family, there's finally a new bus stop at Carriage Lane.

Nicholas Cole, father of four, tells WLTX he never expected it to take six months, but he finally got his wish after some leg work.

After News 19's first report in January 2023, Cole explains he reached out to the South Carolina Governor's Office, who directed him to the SC Consumer Affairs Department.

"I contacted consumer affairs and they contacted the HOA and I think it was simultaneously. It was coming to a head because they didn't have a reason why they couldn't approve it, so they really couldn't string it out any longer," Cole said.

Cole also explains he went around to neighbors petitioning for the bus stop.

Cole tells News 19 he was worried about his children's safety having to walk a quarter mile after his research showed sex offenders lived in the area.

We reached out to the neighborhood HOA who said no to an interview or comment.

"Somebody from (Lexington-Richland School) District Five transportation, like the supervisor came and they just discussed where it would be put and this is where they said it would be and so this is where my kids come out every morning and get dropped off in the mornings, but there's not a sign or bench or anything," Cole said.

Lexington-Richland Five explains they are glad they could be part of the resolution.

Now the school bus stop is much closer and Cole's kids are thrilled about it.

"I'm happy that we have it here instead of way over there cause it's less tiring," Logan, Cole's son said.

"I feel a little bit safer," Levi, Cole's son said.

"Our house is just over there and our bus stop is here," Jameson, Cole's son said.

Cole says his takeaway from this experience is to never give up. He tells News 19 he loved getting to demonstrate this lesson in front of his kids too.

"Even though all the odds may seem against you, just keep pushing and do what's best. It's just a good feeling to have the kids see it all come to fruition," Cole said.

This Irmo parent explains now the school bus comes inside the neighborhood, instead of waiting outside of it.

He tells News 19 he'll pass the word along to any new families that move in.

Hundreds of miles away, the Irmo Little League team is getting support and love from their friends and family.

IRMO, S.C. — Although the Irmo Little League team is over 700 miles from their home turf at Friarsgate Park, they're still receiving love and support from friends and family at home, and they're still playing their hearts out as they advanced to the U.S. Championship in the Junior League World Series on Friday.

Sam Todd has had an all-time proud dad week. His son, Charlie, is one of the players on Irmo Little League's baseball team that's been taking down opponents in the Junior League World Series. On Friday, the team played in round three of the tournament.

"They've won several regions, several state tournaments and they just barely missed the world series last year, and they made it this year," Todd recalls. He says it's been a long road throughout the year to get to this point,

"It's something they commit to. The families are very close, and the practices are something that's important to the coaches and the players, and the parents to commit, too, so that you have a chance to play where they're playing now, in the world series." Todd said.

The commitment is something Justin Baxter has seen firsthand as president of the Irmo Little League. He said the team is having a great time in Michigan and has had the unique opportunity to meet baseball players from around the world.

"It's actually kinda cool because the team that they've bonded the most with is Puerto Rico, and none of them spoke English, so there were a lot of apps on the phones, the language apps." Baxter said.

Baxter hosted a watch party with the parents of the players and members of the Irmo baseball community to support the team from hundreds of miles away.

"I tell people Irmo little league is 80% family and about 20% baseball," Baxter said. "It is community and family."

Todd agrees, saying the team is still feeling support from so far away

"They come together for the benefit of youth sports and it's something that's special in this Midlands area," Todd said. "It's fun to see, but it takes a lot of work and a lot of passion and you see that."

The team won its game Friday 3-2 over East. With the win, they advance to the U.S. Championship tomorrow against Michigan at 6 p.m.