Seawell’s Catering, near USC’s Williams Brice Stadium, soon could see some changes.

Seawell’s has made a name for itself since it opened in 1946.

The business was founded by Carroll Seawell Sr. as a drive-in restaurant and quickly became a local favorite for gatherings, leading to expansions around the Columbia area. The original drive-in restaurant eventually focused on events and catering, accommodating 1,000 people at a time.

The business provides a variety of services for private functions such as weddings, meetings, parties, banquets and even presidential debates. It has hosted events for at least seven U.S. presidents as well as a Republican presidential debate that was broadcast on CNN’s Larry King Live.

Seawell’s has always stayed in the family. Carroll’s sons, Cal, Robbie and Gary took over the management as the business moved into a third generation. Son Corey Seawell is involved in the business operations as well.

But the family is thinking now about possible changes. Turning the property into luxury town homes is a possibility, Cal Seawell said.

The townhomes would target young professionals, not college students, like most complexes near the stadium, Seawell said.

“I can’t get into any of the details right now because those are just initial conversations,” Seawell said.

The family said it would continue with Seawell’s Catering, just at a different location in the downtown Columbia area.

“We’ve got too good a business to walk away from,” Seawell said. “The earliest we could possibly close is sometime mid- to late-summer. … And, yes, things could happen where the deal could fall through and we go back to square one.”

Seawell hopes longtime customers will stay loyal.

A key event is scheduled for March. The Calhoun Traumatic Brain Injury Foundation event is held annually. The fundraiser is held in honor of Cal Wrenn.

Cal’s father, Clyde Wrenn, is director of High School Relations for the University of South Carolina. The fundraiser features several USC football players and the head football coach.

Cal Wrenn underwent a traumatic brain injury and doctors were unsure if he would live, Clyde Wrenn told the Carolina Reporter. He was unconscious for seven days, and on day four, the doctors said he would make it.

“I think 13 of the last 17 years we’ve had an event to raise money and give it back to the brain trauma unit at Prisma hospital,” Clyde Wrenn said.

Wrenn said no matter where Seawell’s ends up, the foundation will stay loyal.

Emily Skinner, who helps with the fundraiser, said Seawell’s staff is sweet and accommodating.

“I think that locals like myself value the accessibility of Seawell’s and how nicely upkept the venue is,” Skinner said. “People create great memories with Seawell’s each time they are there.”

Cal Seawell said he’ll keep the Columbia area updated about any future changes.