Johnny Linton and family buy acclaimed property from Sheila C. Johnson

Salamander Hospitality retained to manage South Carolina’s First Five Star and Five Diamond hotel

Local Attorney Johnny Linton and his family today purchased the highly acclaimed and decorated Woodlands Inn. The Linton family bought the 11-acre property, which is located just a few miles from their Summerville home, from Virginia-based Entrepreneur Sheila C. Johnson. Terms were not disclosed.

Linton will continue practicing law full time at Duffy & Young, LLC, on Broad Street in historic Charleston. Johnson’s Salamander Hospitality company has been retained to manage the hotel, which is one of only six properties in the United States to hold the Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond ratings for both lodging and dining. Just last month, Woodlands was ranked as the fourth finest hotel in the United States by readers of Travel + Leisure.

Linton, an accomplished trial lawyer and graduate of Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC, and the University of South Carolina’s School of Law, began conversations earlier this year about buying the restored 1906 mansion and returning the property into local hands. It is the first time since the building was converted into Woodlands in 1995 that it has been owned by a South Carolinian family. 

“I am passionate about the role Woodlands plays in Summerville, the Charleston area and the state of South Carolina,” said Linton, who has been a club member at Woodlands for 15 years. “There are many exciting plans that we are developing with Salamander Hospitality and General Manager Casey Lavin, and it is an honor to actively participate in the culture and history of the region. I would like to expand on Mrs. Johnson’s recent efforts to make Woodlands more approachable. My wife Pam and I are excited to work with the wonderful staff responsible for Woodlands’ many accolades, and we are committed to retain the quality and service levels for which the property is renowned worldwide.”

Linton has lived in Summerville for over 20 years with Pam, and has three children: McLane Harrington, and newly arrived granddaughter Emma Grace Harrington; John Jr.; and Abigail. The Linton family has been actively involved with many of the town’s philanthropic causes, including the Summerville Kitchen Tour to benefit Children in Crisis, the establishment of the Freedom Reigns program at Pinewood Preparatory School, the Coastal Community Foundation, Trident United Way, the Summerville YMCA and Habitat for Humanity. The family is currently helping found the Ambassadors of 1847, an organization devoted to enhancing and embracing the Summerville community.

During Johnson’s four-year tenure as owner, Woodlands was completely refurbished and updated, including the addition of Pines, the inn’s new casual dining option. It also retained and gained numerous awards given by the country’s most esteemed travel organizations and publications.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as owner,” said Johnson. “When Johnny outlined his vision for Woodlands, I felt compelled to carefully consider his offer. Ultimately, my team and I felt that this historic property belonged in local hands, and we look forward to combining our management expertise with a highly respected and involved member of the Charleston area community.”

Within the next few months, Linton and Salamander Hospitality plan to undertake several new projects, including:

• Launching a Woodlands Culinary Academy, where participants will immerse themselves in all aspects of gastronomy featuring indigenous cuisine and Charleston’s rich history
• Establishing an off-premise catering operation to take Woodlands’ Five Star culinary excellence into area residences and venues
• Naming each of the hotel’s 18 guestrooms and suites after famous South Carolina people and places
• Implementing an artist-in-residence program with local artist Rick Reinert and other outstanding artisans
• Creating year-round social and cultural events, like the recent community oriented July 4 festival
• Expanding the Club at Woodlands, a private club started in 1996

Linton also plans to investigate the possibility of establishing an Artisan’s Village on Woodlands’ grounds to celebrate local culture and heritage, and building an amphitheater to host plays, Summerville’s Community Orchestra, workshops and act as a community gathering place.

“It is rare in my experience to see such an alignment of interests between a buyer and seller in a hotel transaction,” said Bill Moeckel of Moeckel & Co., which represented Linton in this transaction. “The trust, mutual respect and commitment to the shared vision for the future of Woodlands Inn under Johnny’s stewardship and Salamander’s management were indeed refreshing.”

Summerville Mayor Berlin G. Myers, who used to serve as a tour guide around Woodlands’ grounds during his formative years, said “I am grateful to Ms. Johnson for her ownership of Woodlands over the last four years. My memories of the property stretch back 80 years, and I’m delighted that one of our own residents will continue the hotel’s tradition of excellence. Even with an incredibly successful past, I’m confident that its best years lay ahead.”

And, Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr., said he was excited to see Linton, who he has known for decades, bring his own unique brand of southern hospitality to Woodlands’ Five Star experience. “I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying Johnny and Pam’s company many times, and sought his counsel and advice on important matters. Woodlands and the Lintons are a perfect fit.” said Riley.

Woodlands Inn currently has a development agreement with Woodlands Village, LLC, whose principals include members of local developers J.L. Woode, LLC, and the I’On Group, LLC. Woodlands Village owns 31 acres surrounding the hotel.

“We are excited about the Linton family’s purchase of Woodlands and the additional value a local owner brings,” said Vince Graham, founder of the I’On Group. “We are delighted that Salamander Hospitality will continue to manage the property and continue to expand on Woodlands’ already stellar reputation, and we look forward to continuing the partnership we have forged over the past four years.”

For more information about Woodlands Inn call (800) 774-9999 or visit www.woodlandsinn.com.

Woodlands will hold an invitation-only gala to celebrate the Linton family’s new ownership on Friday, September 10 at 7:30 p.m. The event will benefit the Ambassadors of 1847, about which more details will be unveiled that evening.

Sheila C. Johnson will be the featured speaker at a commemorative event on Saturday, September 11 at Pinewood Preparatory School in Summerville. The event, which is part of the school’s Freedom Reigns program, will start at 8:45 a.m. and is open to the public.