Guests at the latest Chamber &#8220After Hours” were able to tour the brand-new &#8220digs” of Camellia Communications as they enjoyed the company's festive d\u00E9cor and holiday edibles Tuesday night.

The former Watson's Home Furnishings store building on the Greenville By-Pass has been transformed into nearly 10,000 square feet of office and conference space, taking on a very new and stylish look in the process.

&#8220We are very, very happy with how it turned out. We think it looks great,” said Marsha Rice, sales and marketing manager for the telecommunications company.

One of the prominent features of Camellia Communications' spacious front lobby is a series of camellia paintings adorning the walls.

Noted local artist, Shirley Roberson, did the artwork. Roberson and his wife, Emmajean, were on hand for the open house, and both remarked on how beautifully his paintings had been presented.

&#8220They did a marvelous job in framing these,” the artist said with a smile.

Door prizes were also part of the evening, which drew a large crowd to the business.

Camellia Communications is an affiliate of the 60-year-old Hayneville Telephone Company, which offers service in the Lowndesboro, Hayneville and Gordonsville areas of Lowndes County.

Three years ago, Camellia Communications was founded to serve the Greenville and Fort Deposit areas with local and long distance service, along with Internet and DSL.