Special Correspondent

The people of Lake Wateree and surrounding areas were excited when a large market and restaurant opened at Colonel Creek back in May of 2005 and then their hopes were shattered when it closed not too long afterwards. The building sat vacant for some time but has now reopened to the delight of all in the area. Thanks to Lake Wateree resident Ken Boone and Doug Wood, his next door neighbor, as they are joint proprietors of the building.

Ken Boone came to Lake Wateree in the year 1952 to a small fourteen by fourteen foot cabin on a lovely point that he purchased with another party, for five dollars each a week for a total of $300. There was no electricity at that time and of course none of the roads were paved. The cabin was referred to as a 'river cabin' and was one of many dotting the lake shore at that time. He has added to it over the years until it reached 1200 square feet but said "since I live alone this is enough room for me". Boone was raised in Winnsboro and owned a furniture store in Kannapolis for 45 years. He has been a permanent resident of the lake since the year 2000 and is well known and respected in the area.

Ken is happiest when he is working 40 to 50 hours a week but in his spare time he enjoys fishing. He had the interest of the lake people in mind when he and his friend Doug Wood reopened the market.

He said "I didn't open the market to make a lot of money, but rather for the convenience of the people on the lake and the many friendships I have made". Ken had a birthday last month and would not mind me telling you that he turned a young 69.

Boone's market has a great supply of every day staples, candy and snacks, breads and even a section with pet foods. He offers everything that a large city market does, and if you need something he does not have and he can sell it, he'll do all he can to get it for you.

In the extreme corner of the store is a bait and tackle shop with poles, lures, crickets, minnows and all the needs for the fishermen.

The market is open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The Exxon gas pumps are well lit and open 24 hours a day.

Boone and Woods have leased the restaurant to Doug Kazmier Macejewski, Owner/General Manager. Doug was born in Schenectady, New York to Polish parents Edna Rotundo and Kazmier Macejewski, both deceased. He has one sibling, an older sister Kathy who is a Registered Nurse in New York. After graduating from Linton High School where he studied to be a machinist, Doug went to work at Sambo's. From an early age he was interested in restaurant work and the preparation of food. At age 15 he became a dishwasher in a restaurant in upstate New York and by age 32 he had become the District Manager.

In addition to Sambo's he was involved with Fuddruckers and a pizza parlor called Gumby's located in a Kansas college town, for 13 years. The Gumby's sign now hangs in the new Colonel Creek Restaurant. Doug has owned and had a passion for restaurants for the past 32 years.

Doug's Uncle John whom he was very close to and who lived at Lake Wateree on Dutchman Lane, talked constantly to Doug about moving from Kansas to this area. He loved the USA, was a devoted Marine and said that Lake Wateree was 'God's Country'.

Unfortunately Doug did not come while his Uncle John lived, but in 2006 he came to bury his beloved Uncle and take care of his personal business. He arrived late at night and did not see the lake until he awakened in the morning and soon understood what his Uncle had meant. Looking out at the water from his new home, he knew this was where he wanted to be. He stayed for a month and then returned to Kansas, sold his home, packed up his boat and his Harley and moved to Lake Wateree.

Knowing of his love for the restaurant business, his friend Vincenzo Torre, the owner of Enzo’s Ristorante in Winnsboro, told Doug of the Colonel Creek building that was available.

Doug's hobbies when he finds time, are fishing, cooking and reading, restaurant books of course, no surprise there.

He attends St. John's Episcopal Church in Winnsboro.

Pictured above right: Doug Macejewski (left) new owner of Colonel Creek Restaurant and Ken Boone one of the Market Owners. Photo by Grace Tarrant