Each year, Main Street South Carolina recognizes members' achievements and successes in downtown revitalization.
2025 Award Recipients
Excellence on Main Street Award
Main Street Fountain Inn – Restoration and Preservation of the Historic Ellison Flour Mill
Fountain Inn’s population has grown dramatically, increasing by 25% from 2020 to 2023. This has opened many new development possibilities for its downtown, and developer Bryan Beal decided to renovate several dilapidated mill buildings into new businesses, all while preserving and repurposing as much of the building’s materials as possible.
The large three-story building, a mill that opened in 1940 and fell out of use in the 1970s, has become the home of Fountain Inn Brewing, with a 16-tap bar and pizza kitchen. It retains its historic roller mill and other equipment, as well as its exterior tin siding. A second building, once an auction house, is now the Clubhouse, a common area that accesses a fenced-in outdoor greenspace and event space. The final building to be restored, which served as an auto repair shop, is now a food hall offering options from local restaurants. Investor-driven funding for the project took advantage of federal and state historic tax credits, as well as SC Abandoned Buildings Revitalization Act tax credits.
The project’s event space has enabled cross-promotion of onsite events and other downtown events, and its operations have greatly enhanced foot traffic in the area.
Contact Amanda Benfield at amanda.benefiled@fountainn.org or 864-531-0644.
Inspiration Awards
Outstanding Promotion
Main Street Walterboro – “We Are Walterboro” Campaign
Aiming to showcase the business owners of downtown Walterboro and boost community pride, Main Street Walterboro crafted a social media series sharing the stories of the people behind the businesses. It brought in professional storyteller Phil Eich for photo and interview sessions with 12 downtown merchants and community members, and developed the material gathered into feature stories. This technical assistance opportunity was funded through Main Street SC’s Southeast Crescent Regional Commission grant award to support South Carolina’s local entrepreneurs.
The stories ran weekly on social media, receiving substantial attention and positive feedback, and even helping to counter local social media communities’ negative focus. Business owners reported customer growth from this positive coverage, a greater connection to the community and excitement for future development. Main Street Walterboro plans to extend the campaign with additional businesses in the downtown and throughout Colleton County.
Contact Patricia Utsey at putsey@walterborosc.org or 843.898.0840.
Gaines Jontz Rehabilitation
Main Street Clover – Brick and Mortar Coffee and Mercantile
The historic storefront at 109 N. Main St. in Clover was used as a storage space and office before it was revitalized to become Brick and Mortar Coffee and Mercantile, a new business providing a much-needed hangout spot for the community.
The yearlong project undertaken by the business owner restored the building’s facade, using Main Street Clover’s facade grant to provide for elements including new signage and a new awning. The effort updated the interior for functionality, all while preserving the building’s character and using locally reclaimed lumber and other materials. A new exterior patio and deck area adds to the business’ charm.
With a newly enlivened storefront highlighting Clover’s character and history, the business has bolstered downtown foot traffic and has spurred new interest in other downtown properties.
Contact Alicia Griffith at agriffith@cloversc.org or 803.982.1517.
Master Merchant
Main Street Bennettsville – Cindy Ayers, Gifts & More
For nearly three decades, Cindy Ayers, owner of Gifts and More, has been the heart of downtown Bennettsville’s retail scene. The owner of the city’s only boutique retailer, Ayers has developed a reputation as an adaptable entrepreneur through changing business climates. She expanded her offerings over the years to include jewelry, boutique clothing, home decor, candles, collegiate wear, baby items, and even interactive shopping experiences like a hat bar and jewelry bar.
Ayers is also a community leader, participating in City of Bennettsville and Main Street Bennettsville events like community festivals and seasonal promotions, and by employing local youth. She is a champion of well-maintained storefronts, having renovated her two facades in 2024 with new awnings and with new flooring, ceilings and lighting in her recessed window displays.
Contact Brittany Jones at brittany.jones@bennettsvillesc.com or 843.439.7209.
Outstanding Special Project
Main Street Bennettsville – Pollinator Planters
Inspired by the importance of pollinators for ecosystems and Bennettsville’s history of agriculture, Main Street Bennettsville Board Member Chelsea Carabo, a beekeeper, helped establish the downtown Bennettsville pollinator planter program. The planters promote downtown vibrancy and environmental stewardship, as they offer up flowers and other plants that maximize benefits to bees, butterflies and other essential pollinators. Gardening experts provided input on the best plants to use.
Funding came from a $5,000 grant from Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas, a part of McLeod Health’s Access Health program, as well as sponsoring businesses, organizations, and people whose sponsorships of individual planters helps the project’s long-term sustainability. Volunteers installed the planters during a community cleanup day. The City of Bennettsville provided logistical assistance for installation, and the fire department maintains the planters’ watering systems. A local sign shop provided signage for each planter.
Contact Brittany Jones at brittany.jones@bennettsvillesc.com or 843.439.7209.
Outstanding Partnership
Downtown Sumter – Rotary Centennial Plaza Renovation
In 2005, the Sumter Rotary Club, Rotary Club of Sumter-Palmetto and Rotary Club of Sumter Sunrise worked with the City of Sumter to establish the Rotary Centennial Plaza at Main and Liberty streets in downtown Sumter, creating a landmark that is frequently used for fundraising events and the summer Downtown Market. After nearly two decades, this same partnership of the city and Rotary groups refurbished the plaza in 2024 at a cost of $750,000.
The project refurbished greenspaces, added sidewalks and updated the fountain surrounding the large street clock. It also re-bricked the area and added the Rotary International logo to the pavers surrounding the fountain. The improvements have led to greater use of the plaza and more interest in hosting events at the location.
Contact Leigh Newman at lnewman@sumtersc.gov or 803.436.2635.