Bennettsville offers funds for new, expanding businesses
From local reports
Published: April 23, 2008
Published: April 23, 2008
The city of Bennettsville has grant funds of as much as $10,000 available for new and expanding businesses in the historic downtown.
“We are looking for restaurants, sports bars, bookstores, shoe repair shops, clothing stores and others to help us round out our downtown shopping opportunities,” said Ken Harmon, executive director of the Bennettsville Downtown Development Association (BDDA).
“Bennettsville recently completed a renovation of the downtown area with new façades and streetscaping,” Harmon said. “With our emphasis on tourism development, this is a prime time for new and expanding businesses to look at downtown Bennettsville.”
Keith Cheek, owner of K&J Trophy and Signs, said he knows what it takes to start a business in Bennettsville.
“I’ve lived here all my life and appreciate working with people I know,” Cheek, who has been in business 2½ years, said. “Getting started means going to the right source for information and that’s the BDDA. They have information and can help you work through the process.”
Tired of Ohio winters, Lucinda Heil and her chef husband, Tony, looked for five years before deciding to relocate to Bennettsville, where they opened Lucinda’s Restaurant in the historic Newton House last fall. They live above their restaurant, which makes for a short commute.
“We have been very pleased at the friendliness of the community and how they have accepted us,” Lucinda said. “It was not a hard decision, as there was a need, and with the help of organizations like the city of Bennettsville and the BDDA, the process went smoothly.
“I encourage anyone to think about starting a business in Bennettsville,” she said. “The people are wonderful and willing to work. We had 110 applicants for jobs without advertising.”
For 41 years, Jean Quick has operated The Regal Touch salon behind the courthouse in downtown Bennettsville.
“Since day one, I have been busy,” said Quick, who also is a member of the city council. “My clients come from Marlboro County and from as far away as Charleston and Charlotte.”
One of the oldest businesses in Bennettsville is Breeden Grocery, a hometown butcher shop. For 82 years, it has been the place to purchase groceries in the downtown area.
Cam and Cindy Stone are the owners of the Breeden Grocery.
“We realize we can’t compete with the larger stores,” Cindy Stone said. “But we have the advantage of being in a small town and knowing our customers. People like doing business with people they know. We offer customer service.”
Downtown Bennettsville includes a restored Victorian home, which serves as the Visitor Center, and apartments over stores for downtown living.
“We work together to promote the area and do what we can to make this an exciting, profitable business climate,” Harmon said.
For details on starting or expanding a business in Bennettsville, call Fran Adcock at (843) 479-9001, ext. 317, or Harmon at (843) 479-3869.
“We are looking for restaurants, sports bars, bookstores, shoe repair shops, clothing stores and others to help us round out our downtown shopping opportunities,” said Ken Harmon, executive director of the Bennettsville Downtown Development Association (BDDA).
“Bennettsville recently completed a renovation of the downtown area with new façades and streetscaping,” Harmon said. “With our emphasis on tourism development, this is a prime time for new and expanding businesses to look at downtown Bennettsville.”
Keith Cheek, owner of K&J Trophy and Signs, said he knows what it takes to start a business in Bennettsville.
“I’ve lived here all my life and appreciate working with people I know,” Cheek, who has been in business 2½ years, said. “Getting started means going to the right source for information and that’s the BDDA. They have information and can help you work through the process.”
Tired of Ohio winters, Lucinda Heil and her chef husband, Tony, looked for five years before deciding to relocate to Bennettsville, where they opened Lucinda’s Restaurant in the historic Newton House last fall. They live above their restaurant, which makes for a short commute.
“We have been very pleased at the friendliness of the community and how they have accepted us,” Lucinda said. “It was not a hard decision, as there was a need, and with the help of organizations like the city of Bennettsville and the BDDA, the process went smoothly.
“I encourage anyone to think about starting a business in Bennettsville,” she said. “The people are wonderful and willing to work. We had 110 applicants for jobs without advertising.”
For 41 years, Jean Quick has operated The Regal Touch salon behind the courthouse in downtown Bennettsville.
“Since day one, I have been busy,” said Quick, who also is a member of the city council. “My clients come from Marlboro County and from as far away as Charleston and Charlotte.”
One of the oldest businesses in Bennettsville is Breeden Grocery, a hometown butcher shop. For 82 years, it has been the place to purchase groceries in the downtown area.
Cam and Cindy Stone are the owners of the Breeden Grocery.
“We realize we can’t compete with the larger stores,” Cindy Stone said. “But we have the advantage of being in a small town and knowing our customers. People like doing business with people they know. We offer customer service.”
Downtown Bennettsville includes a restored Victorian home, which serves as the Visitor Center, and apartments over stores for downtown living.
“We work together to promote the area and do what we can to make this an exciting, profitable business climate,” Harmon said.
For details on starting or expanding a business in Bennettsville, call Fran Adcock at (843) 479-9001, ext. 317, or Harmon at (843) 479-3869.
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