Longtime Columbia real estate developer, civic leader dies
A longtime business and community leader in Columbia died last weekend.
Joe Edens, 78, the founder and chairman of the board of directors of EDENS real estate company, died Sunday, according to his obituary.
“He was a wonderful man” former Columbia Mayor Bob Coble told The State.
Jim Papadea, who worked for Edens for 20 years and also was a member of Columbia City Council, echoed that sentiment, telling The State, “Joe was a good guy. He knew what he wanted to accomplish, got out and got it done.”
One of the things Edens accomplished was building a company that has billions invested in developments up and down the East Coast, his obituary said.
His company specialized in developing shopping centers, including Trenholm Plaza in Forest Acres.
Edens, a lifelong Columbia resident, took inspiration from his family in building his business.
“My father and his brother started a produce stand in 1931 on Assembly Street, and all the equipment they had was a pair of 10-pound hanging scales to weigh the items,” Edens said on his company’s website.
From that inception to when he launched his company in 1966, Edens’ company has grown to 125 developments, according to the website. It has gone from a small suite on Beltline Boulevard to corporate offices in Columbia, Washington D.C., Boston, Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Miami, Houston and Denver.
“He could make it look good and make money,” Papadea said.
Edens shopping malls cover more than 16 million square feet, according to his obituary. Five, including Trenholm Plaza, are located in Columbia and Lexington.
“He was one of South Carolina’s most influential and beloved business leaders,” U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC, said on Twitter. “He was also a friend who will be missed greatly.”
“He was a prominent businessman, but he always had the community in mind,” Coble said. “The key to development is to have a lasting impact, and that includes economic development. He was very active in economic development programs.”
Papadea said Edens worked to help the community without bragging about his efforts.
Edens saw value in urban revitalization of retail properties in growing residential areas, The State reported in 2017.
“What our communities need is that human connection. They need to be able to have that interaction with someone that is really personal,” Edens CEO Jodie McLean said in a 2017 interview with The State. “That’s what our places have to serve.”
Edens made an impact on people he worked with, and his death was mourned by another prominent Columbia businessman.
“On Sunday we lost a client, mentor, and friend,” said Jack Oliver, who is also on the Forest Acres Restaurant and Merchant Association board of directors. “The commercial real estate and business world lost an icon. We were honored to know you Mr. Joe Edens. RIP.”
Edens is survived by his wife, Carolyn Gladdens Edens; and children Joseph Allen Edens III, Kimberly Edens Redd, and Michael Everette Edens, among other relatives, according to his obituary.
A funeral service was held Wednesday morning at Shandon Baptist Church followed by a private burial at Greenlawn Memorial Park, according to the obituary.
Edens’ Columbia-area shopping centers
▪ Trenholm Plaza, 4840 Forest Drive
▪ Shoppes at Woodhill, 6090 Garners Ferry Road
▪ Columbiana Station, 150 Harbison Boulevard
▪ Cross Hill Market, Devine Street at Cross Hill Road
▪ Lexington Pavilion, 5109 Sunset Boulevard, Lexington
