By Nicole Hamel
On the Scene: The Social Cellar Opens at Historic Magnolia House
The historic Magnolia House in Leesburg welcomed a new chapter as the home of The Social Cellar, which celebrated its grand opening on Friday, September 4.
Owners James, Shawna and Lizzy Pancari poured their creativity into the historic property, refreshing the space with new paint and décor that gave the venue a beautiful, welcoming feel.
The evening featured light hors d’oeuvres, premium wine, craft beer and a mango slushy special as guests mingled, connected and celebrated the new establishment. Live music set the tone for the evening before the festivities evolved into karaoke, dancing and plenty of laughter.
The grand opening brought together friends, community members and local guests for an entertaining evening filled with delicious offerings, music and celebration, marking an exciting new beginning for The Social Cellar at the historic Magnolia House.
Nicole, born and raised in Maine, is an award-winning photographer with more than 15 years of professional experience. After relocating to Kentucky, she began her career photographing military families and volunteering with several organizations, including Operation Homefront (Tennessee/Kentucky Chapter), the American Red Cross, and the Wounded Warriors Project. While living in Hawaii, Nicole worked as a historical photographer, documenting the Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam community and its surrounding areas. In 2015, Nicole settled in Florida and joined Akers Media Group as a freelance photographer.
Through dedication and consistent excellence, she advanced to Chief Photographer. Her contributions earned her MVP of the Year in 2020 and Employee of the Year in 2023, recognizing both her hard work and commitment to her craft. After eight years of working for Akers, she can now add published writer to her list of accomplishments. Outside of her professional work, Nicole enjoys spending time with her two children, Dylan and Olivia. Her interests include underwater photography, crafting, reading, gardening, traveling, and experiencing life firsthand.
