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Tag: Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce

  • Peace on Earth named Chamber’s Small Bus. of Year

     RIDGEWAY – The Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 annual meeting brought about 125 members and friends to The Farm at Ridgeway Wednesday night, July 24. 

    It was a night of dining, visiting, and dancing to the music of the Sherrie Cafaro Trio, with the presentation of the annual business awards being the highlight of the evening. 

    The event also marked almost a year for Dillon Pullen to serve as the new president of the chamber.

    Chamber President Dillon Pullen presents the Fairfield Chamber’s Small Business of the Year award to Peace on Earth restaurant owners Mary and Domenic Nappa. | Photos: Barbara Ball

    Small Business of the Year

    The award for Small Business of the Year went to Peace on Earth Café and Consignment, located in downtown Winnsboro. 

    Owned by Mary and Domenic Nappa, Peace on Earth is a café, consignment shop and general store offering dine-in and take-out breakfast and lunch sandwiches, soup, baked goods and ice cream. 

    “As a ‘mom and pop shop’, Mary and Domenic put their love into their business, but as a two-person store, it takes everything they have,” said Shanta Lewis. “The Nappas praised their customers saying they are “always kind and patient as we serve everyone as if unto the Lord.”

    The Small Business of the Year award is presented annually in honor of Terry Vickers, who was president of the Chamber for 22 years before retiring in 2018.

    The Fitz-John Creighton McMaster Industry Partner of the Year award went to Luck Companies, parent company of Luck Stone, located in Fairfield.

    Industry Partner of the Year

    The Fitz-John Creighton McMaster Industry Partner of the Year award went to Luck Companies. 

    Luck Companies is the parent company of Luck Stone, which has operations in Fairfield County. In business for over 100 years, Luck Stone is the nation’s largest family-owned and operated producer of crushed stone, sand, and gravel. In 2023, Luck Stone began production in Fairfield County along US Hwy 34, just 1 mile west of I-77 in Ridgeway. 

    “Since before plant operations began in 2023, Luck has proven to be a valued member of our industrial community with a heart to get involved,” presenter Kimberly Roberts said. ”Over the last several years, they have donated tens of thousands of dollars to local  non-profit organizations to assist with bettering our community.” 

    The Fitz-John Creighton McMaster Industry Partner of the Year award is presented to a large business or industry that has shown its commitment and dedication to Fairfield County and the citizens who call it home. 

    Patti Palmer accepted the Citizen of the Year award for Patsy Palmer.

    Phillips-Edenfield Citizen of the Year 

    Patsy Palmer was named the Phillips- Edenfield Citizen of the Year. Palmer is a sixth generation Ridgeway native and the daughter of Patti Palmer and the late Bubba Palmer. 

    “Patsy has always had a love for Fairfield County, especially the senior citizens,” presenter Charlene Herring said. “After a few health crises, Patsy has devoted herself to being a kind and caring person and a responsible citizen who thinks of God’s wishes for her life throughout the day.” 

    Created in 2021, the award is named after Mrs. Hannah Phillips and Sam Edenfield, two Fairfield County citizens who have raised the bar for service in the county. The award is presented yearly to an individual who has dedicated themselves to enhancing the lives of the citizens of our county. 

    Board member Deborah McCutchen, right, presents the Chamber’s Tourism Partner of the Year award to Carolina Adventure World, represented by Jillian Sweat.

    Tourism Partner of the Year 

    The Chamber’s newly established annual award – the Tourism Partner of the Year award – went to Carolina Adventure World. 

    A 3,000-acre off-road park located in Winnsboro, Carolina Adventure World boasts over 120 miles of trails, offering diverse terrains for enthusiasts, including mud bogs, speed tracks, and more. The park caters to various off-road vehicles, providing thrilling experiences for riders of all skill levels, including rentals and guided tours for those new to the sport. Beyond the excitement on the trails, Carolina Adventure World’s campus provides a range of camping amenities, including RV sites with water and electric hookups, cozy cabins, and dry-camping options. Guests can also enjoy the Park’s tavern and bar, along with numerous fun events and live music throughout the year, providing a vibrant and entertaining experience both on and off the trails. 

    Carolina Adventure World will host the inaugural Field & Stream Music Fest in October 2024. This outdoor lifestyle and country music festival will feature top artists and bands, such as Eric Church, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Lainey Wilson, Riley Green, ZZ Top, Bailey Zimmerman, and more. In addition to world-class musical performances, attendees can look forward to a variety of outdoor excursions and activities, making it a must-attend event for adventure and music enthusiasts alike. 

    Board Members 

    Winnsboro Mayor John McMeekin and his wife Lana.

    The evening also signaled the departure of some members from the board – Vanessa Reynolds, Robbie Martin, and Vickie Maass – and the introduction of new board members: 

    Elbony Belton-Ashford – Board Chair, MUSC Director of Nursing 

    Tina Johnson – Vice Chair, Pecan Hill Estate 

    Kimberly Roberts – Treasurer, Clerk to Fairfield County Council 

    Charlene Herring – Ex-Officio, The Ivy Veranda 

    Shanta Lewis, TruVista Communications 

    Chris Hill, Fairfield County Coroner 

    Deborah McCutchan, Edward Jones Financial Group 

    Sgt. Ron Mull, Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office 

    Mary Nappa, Peace on Earth Café and Consignment 

    Chamber President Dillon Pullen made closing remarks that included a review of a year that has brought growth to the chamber, a new office building, and new leadership. 

    The Retreat at Lake Wateree catered dinner. 

    The Chamber’s annual awards program and dinner was held at The Farm in Ridgeway, with more than 100 in attendance.
    Jim & Sue Rex (Sue is Chair of the FSCD Foundation) and Carla & Chris Clausen and their son Josiah. Clauson is the Winnsboro Town Manager.
    Chamber Vice Chair Tina Johnson, Charlene Herring, and Pam and Donnie Laird.
    FCSD Trustee Henry Miller, Ridgeway Councilwoman Belva Bush Belton, Sheriff Will Montgomery, and District 6 County Council candidate Oren Gadsen.
    • Webb Yongue, Capstone Group, and FCSD Superintendent Dr. Tony Hemingway
    • Caroline and Everett Stubbs, Republican candidate for State Senate District 17
    Fairfield County Disabilities and Special Needs Director Laura Collins (standing, center) attended with her staff.
    Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office employee and erstwhile event server Keryn Isenhoward

  • Auto Zone ribbon cutting

    WINNSBORO – When Evan Dunbar (fourth from right) opened his new NAPA Auto Parts store in the Bi-Lo Shopping Center last week, there was lots of food and several customized vehicles were on display, including a late model dirt car that Dunbar’s store sponsors. Front row from left is Fairfield Chamber of Commerce President Gene Stevens; Roger Dunbar, underhood sales representative and Sean Middaugh, outside salesman; Mike Duffy, NAPA corporation representative; Fairfield County Council Chairman Neil Robinson and Dunbar.

    The store is located in Suite 5B in the Bi-Lo Center and is open M-F, 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. 803-635-4611.

  • County unveils ‘new’ market building

    Opening day at Fairfield’s renovated market building. | Michelle Taylor

    WINNSBORO – The opening of the newly renovated market building in downtown Winnsboro on Saturday was grand. Inside, it featured more than 40 vendors for shopping and a near-capacity crowd ready to buy. It was the place to be from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

    Jules Ruff and Lonzo Ruff’s produce sold out in about an hour. | Photos: Barbara Ball

    Located at 117 E. Washington St., behind the clock, the building has served many capacities since the late 1800’s, including a livery stable, bowling alley, and car lot. On Saturday, the building found its perfect fit.

    Prior to cutting the ribbon, both Chamber of Commerce Director Gene Stephens and County Administrator Jason Taylor thanked former Chamber Director Terry Vickers for initially proposing the idea to revive the building.

    “A lot of things we do in local government are very important,” Taylor said. “One of those is to have projects like this that build our community and bring us together. While this project is ending, it will continue as a farmers market and a venue for weddings, reunions and other events. I hope this is the beginning of the revitalization of downtown Winnsboro.”

    The low cost project was paid for with $35,000, donated by the Chamber and matched by another $35,000 from the County.

    Sophie Lynch

    Under Taylor’s guidance, county workers have turned the former stable into a show barn.

    Following the ribbon cutting, singer Sophie Lynch entertained from a balcony high above the front doors.

    Shoppers snatched up bargains on collards, potted plants, crafts, fresh veggies and massages.

    Door prizes were awarded every half hour and lunch was available from food trucks lined up in front of the building.

    The building features an open, rustic concept and includes a classroom and a large kitchen that Taylor said will be certified as a DHEC and catering kitchen.

     

  • ‘New’ Farmers Market building opens grandly

    Fairfield Farmers and Artisan’s Market during the Christmas season.

    WINNSBORO – A grand opening and ribbon cutting will be held Saturday for the new jewel in downtown Winnsboro – the recently renovated former county stable located on East Washington behind the Town Clock.

    Under County Administrator Jason Taylor’s guidance, county workers have turned the former stable into a show barn that will house the Fairfield Farmers and Artisan’s Market and eventually serve as an event venue for weddings, receptions, reunions and other social events.

    A celebration of the facility, organized by the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce, will begin with a ribbon cutting at 9 a.m. and end at 1 p.m.

    During that time, about 30 food vendors including Doko Smoke and Winnsboro’s The Donut Guy will offer a full array of foods. Singer Sophia Lynch will entertain and, beginning at 9:30 a.m., there will be prize drawings every half hour to include gift cards to local restaurants and merchants.

    Local farmers will be selling fresh produce, eggs, meats and other foods. Other vendors will offer artwork and crafts, free massage demonstrations, an entertaining parrot who will pose for photos with event visitors and a kids’ drawing contest that will be judged with prizes for the winners. A magician and a balloon creations booth will also be performing throughout the day.

    Fairfield County Museum Director Pelham Lyles has displayed a number of colorful handmade quilts on the market building’s walls.

    “It’s just beautiful inside, and I think everyone is going to be surprised at what they see,” Fairfield County Chamber Director Gene Stephenson said during a presentation at the County Council meeting Monday night. “We have Mr. Taylor and Ms. Terry Vickers [former Chamber Director] to thank for this becoming a reality,” Stephenson said.

    Taylor, in turned passed along his appreciation to the county employees who did the renovation work.

    “We did all this work in-house for the most part,” Taylor said. “We hired very little outside labor, maybe plumbers and a few others.”

    Taylor said the cost was covered by $35,000 from the Chamber and about $35,000 in matching funds from the County.

    The facility includes a DHEC-approved teaching kitchen which can be used by the farmers market for teaching food preservation and similar classes. Work is still to be done on the exterior and the parking lot. That work is expected to be completed this summer, according to Taylor.

    “We’re going to have a lot going on at the market on Saturday. It’s going to be a big day,” Stephenson said. “We’ll have local as well as visiting state and national dignitaries visiting our town for the event, and I just hope everyone will take this opportunity to come out and enjoy it all. You’re going to be surprised,” Stephenson promised.

  • Cut and Bake

    WINNSBORO – The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce cut the ribbon for Liza’s Cottage bakery last week. The bakery’s owner Liza Epps bakes the items she sells and is open Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. The bakery is located at 104-1/2 N. Congress Street. Cutting the ribbon for the shop’s grand opening are Epps and Mayor Gaddy, center. Assisting are Susan Yenner (Chamber Administrative Assistant), Valarie Clowney, Wanda Carnes, Julie Tomsuden, Vanessa Reynolds, Gene Stephens (Chamber President), Epps, Imani Paulk, Gaddy, Crystal Paulk, Jane Boytner, Jayne Scarborough (Executive Director of Olde English District) and Anita Hicks.

  • Fairfield Chamber welcomes new members

    Chamber members James Greene, Sam Edenfield, Bill Haslett and Donnie Laird. | Photos: Barbara Ball

    WINNSBORO – The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce welcomed new members last week with a drop-in at Songbird Manor Bed and Breakfast.

    Chamber President Gene Stephens recognized those members: Oldies & Goodies, Cecil Bradstreet Blue Cross Blue Shield, The Barclay School, Roger & Charlene Herring, Sandy James, Webster University, Smith’s Towing, ECPI University, Alltemp Comfort Services, The Donut Guy, Active Day of Winnsboro, Lisa Brandenburg, Roxie Woodard, Christy Buchanan Art, Rapha Wells Primary Care, Mr. and Mrs. Terry Melvin, Allegiance Diagnostic Laboratory and Providence Health-Fairfield. Caterer was the Cornwallis House of Tea.

  • Fairfield Chamber names new president

    WINNSBORO – The Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce has named Gene Stephens of Winnsboro as its new president. Stephens replaces former Chamber President Terry Vickers who retired from her post in October, 2017, returned in an interim position during the summer and will step down again in December.

    Stephens

    Stephens, 40, earned a Master’s degree in Marketing from Clemson University in 2001 and is currently employed by the Fairfield County School District in several positions – media specialist for the district, head soccer coach and assistant coach for basketball and football. He also has experience working for a printing company in sales and graphic design prior to coming to the school district in 2011.

    Stephens said his goal as Chamber president will be to bring Fairfield County together, to work with County Council and the Winnsboro Town Council.

    “I want everyone working on the same page. I see the chamber as being the leader for economic development in the county, working with the state legislature to make sure we’re upgrading our infrastructure so we can bring more business to the new industrial park,” Stephens told The Voice in an interview on Monday.

    “I want to be sure our local businesses are being taken care of, and I will reach out to our membership to be sure we’re meeting their needs. Then I want to bring in other businesses,” he said.

    Stephens said, as far as tourism, he wants to start working on some beautification projects.

    “I don’t want to sit back and wait for the town and county council and committees to do this or that,” he said. “I want to say, ‘This is what we want to do. We’ve got the people lined up. Let’s get to work.’ I want to grow Fairfield County. I want industry to come back. I want the schools to flourish. I want people outside the county to know about all the great things we have.”

    Stephens said he plans to rebuild the Chamber’s website and look at ways to better market Fairfield County.

    “We need to get some businesses in those empty buildings. That’s going to have to be some kind of joint venture between everybody,” Stephens said. “We need to come together and renovate that area north of the clock,”

    Stephens said he also plans to change the way the people in the county view the school district.

    “I want them to view it as an asset, and I want to work with the school district and show the positive things our district is doing,” he said. “We have a really good administration in our school district. Academics is the focus of our administration.”

    Stephens said he plans to be at every council meeting in the town and county.

    “Input from local chamber members can help with the economic development by developing ideas from what they want to see in Fairfield County,” Stephens said. “We have some great ideas but we need to be sure the plans get carried out. I want to start putting pressure to get plans carried out.”

    Stephens said he is not going to sit back and wait for what the county and city council are doing.

    “The chamber can be the leaders in it. We can go to them and say, ‘This is what we want to do. Support us on it,” Stephens said.

    Stephens said that while he has mostly been involved with the school district until now, he is excited about the opportunity to meet different people.

    Stephens said that he hopes to continue coaching until February when basketball season ends, but will be taking on his Chamber position Nov. 29.

    Stevens lives in Fairfield County, a requirement set by the board earlier this year for the position.

  • Candidates speak out

    WINNSBORO – Fairfield voters had an opportunity to find out what candidates had to say earlier this week during two candidate forums sponsored by the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce.

    Candidates for County Council Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7 answered questions on Monday evening, and candidates for the School Board of Trustees Districts 1 and 7 answered questions on Tuesday evening. Both forums were held at the Woman’s Club in Winnsboro.

    The forums can be viewed on The Voice’s Facebook page: The Voice of Blythewood and Fairfield County.

     

  • Candidate forums set for Oct. 29, 30

    WINNSBORO – Fairfield County political candidates for the Nov. 6 election, will be given the opportunity to have their say during two candidate forums sponsored by the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce. Both forums will be held at the Woman’s Club in downtown Winnsboro.

    The forum for County Council candidates will be held on Monday, Oct. 29, from 6 – 8 p.m. Moderator will be Winnsboro attorney Mike Kelly.

    Council candidates are: District 1 – Dan Ruff (incumbent) and Moses Bell; District 3 – Mikel Trapp, Sr. (incumbent) and Peggy Swearingen; District 5 – Douglas Pauley (incumbent) and Matthew Seibles; District 7 – Lisa Brandenburg, Jana Childers and Clarence Gilbert.

    Another forum will be held the next evening, Tuesday, Oct. 30, from 6 – 8 p.m. for candidates for the Fairfield County School Board of Trustees and the House of Representatives (Dist. 41).  Moderator for the Board of Trustees candidates and House candidates will be Neil Robinson.

    School Board candidates include: District 1 – Sylvia Harrison (incumbent) and Elliot Qualls; District 7 – Darreyl Davis (incumbent) and Herb Rentz.

    House of Representatives, District 41 includes Fred Kennedy and Annie McDaniel.

    The Woman’s Club is located at 102 S. Vanderhorst Street in Winnsboro.

  • Rapha Wells cuts ribbon

    WINNSBORO – Owner of a new primary health clinic named Rapha Wells cut the ribbon during a grand opening ceremony Saturday.

    From left, front row, are: Chamber of Commerce Director Terry Vickers, Winnsboro Town Councilwoman Janice Bartell, Carol Williams, Jeffrey Williams and his daughter, Tabitha Williams (owner), the clinic’s physician Dr. Michael Jeremiah Gibson, office manager Lyeisha Hughes, School Board Trustees Darreyl Davis and Rev. Carl Jackson, County Councilmen Douglas Pauley and Neil Robinson and Chamber Administrative Assistant Susan Yenner.

    The clinic, which will open in early November, is located at 1013 Kincaid Bridge Road, Winnsboro.