It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Town Clock, Cannon Barrel in Conway, SC gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Conway, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Professional, caring, and reliable at home service.”
“Amazing place and they do a wonderful job.”
“The caregivers at Always Best Care are friendly, reliable, and truly care about their clients.”
“Always Best Care has helped our family tremendously. With the care they provide we”
“Nate and his team have helped multiple family members and the service and support was”
“I engaged Nate as a consultant to search for the right Assisted Living Facility for”
“Very professional and friendly office staff. They are also easy to communicate with. I recommend”
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work here at Always Best Care over”
“This is a great company and I would recommended to everyone. I have been with”
“I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident Always Best Care of the Midlands”
“This is a company that truly cares about its employees and the seniors they care”
“Nice people to work with”
“Gina Berry takes time explaining why home care and Always Best Care is the best”
“I am a current client of this provider From a caretakers/daughters point of view: This service”
“Always Best Care is a great company to work for and if you are looking”
“The Staff, the care teams and the owners are one of a kind! They take”
“Nate took the time to meet with me and my family and help make sense”
“Hello to all of my Always Best Care friends, I'd like to wish you and your”
“I am a current client of this provider It is essential to us, he really needs”
“This is one of the best companies I’ve worked for in a long time. The”
“I am a current client of this provider It depends on who they hire for the”
“I am a current client of this provider I would have had to quit my job”
“Professional, caring, and reliable at home service.”
“Amazing place and they do a wonderful job.”
“The caregivers at Always Best Care are friendly, reliable, and truly care about their clients. They make daily life easier and more comfortable for seniors.”
“Always Best Care has helped our family tremendously. With the care they provide we have been able to keep my dad in his home. He is a total care client and they have gone above and beyond to meet our needs the best way they can. Not to say we haven't had some trials with schedules and caregivers getting sick or family emergencies, that is to be expected, but they are consistently meeting the needs the best way thay can. Thank you Always Best Care for what you have done for our family the last almost 3 years!”
“Nate and his team have helped multiple family members and the service and support was a great peace of mind. Care of those in need can be a heavy load on the family, and Always Best Care made everything run better in the household. Their care extended past those in need and helped the other family members provide better care. The experience was a breath of fresh air.”
“I engaged Nate as a consultant to search for the right Assisted Living Facility for my mom. This service is no cost to the family. He spent quite some time getting my mom's preferences clarified and then searching for matching AL facilities. All of this was done in less than two days. He and I talked through the options and I relayed the two I felt were best to mom. Nate personally picked mom up from rehab and took her on those tours, which was a godsend because I live in another state. During both tours, he texted me "play by plays" as to how it was going. He helped me and mom choose the right place for her budget and needs - and was very patient with us as my mom took longer than expected to make the final decision. She was talking about needing a new TV and Nate provided her/us with a link to some that were on sale that met her needs. Once the decision was made, Nate accompanied the AL staff member to mom's rehab and sat through the entire long paperwork process to ensure mom understood what she was signing. Again, he kept me in the loop by texting me regularly about how things were going during the meeting. He checked in a couple of times after that and prior to mom's move asking how our prep was going and if we needed anything. On one call, I did ask for a referral to a specific service we needed. He didn't have an established one, so he researched it and got one for me promptly. During and shortly after moving day, Nate checked in again to see how mom was settling in. I've been amazed at the personalized engagement that we received from Nate. Anytime he said he would do something, he did it and he did it promptly. If anything was delayed, he updated me immediately. This is in stark contrast to Tara at Senior Care Authority that provides this service as well. She promised me things during our initial call and didn't follow through on most of them. During our text exchanges, she never answered my specific question - always danced around it. Within a handful of days, I said "nope!", researched more, and came across Nate and this service. Ahhhh, what a breath of fresh air to receive what you asked for. I have no doubt it saved me countless hours glued to my computer, trying to compare facilities. I highly recommend Nate and his consulting service - it was an excellent experience and he was a lifesaver!”
“Very professional and friendly office staff. They are also easy to communicate with. I recommend Always Best Care Senior Services for any senior in need. Also, if you ever need a job, please go and apply. They are always hiring weekly and offer competitive rates.”
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work here at Always Best Care over the past six months. Melisa and Nate have been wonderful and thanks for molding me into becoming a great leader. Professionalism is the key to success ????✨⭐️ I am looking forward to many years to come.”
“This is a great company and I would recommended to everyone. I have been with them for 3years Their caregivers are insightful and have so much compassion especially Mariah and Sabrina they are some of there champs they both have great personality and are very Professional. The owners are great and they run a great company.thank you for all that you guys do ????”
“I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident Always Best Care of the Midlands Team ensured that I was well informed, and my loved one received the best care possible. The compassionate care was delivered not only by the care professionals, but by the support team. The owners even checked in with us to offer support and guidance. They exceeded our expectations!”
“This is a company that truly cares about its employees and the seniors they care for! Nate and Melisa offer regular training for caregivers so they they can provide the best care possible!”
“Nice people to work with”
“Gina Berry takes time explaining why home care and Always Best Care is the best choice for your family’s needs. The Team at Always Best is thoughtful and supportive they go out of their way to make you feel heard and understood. They customize the care plan, care team and schedule. I recommend them to anyone considering aging in place.”
“I am a current client of this provider From a caretakers/daughters point of view: This service is a savior for me personally. It relieves me from having to miss a lot of work time to travel to my mothers appt, now I can meet her at the appt. and save this time. The care and service she is getting is TOP NOTCH! From how easy it is for my mother to schedule and the follow through is right on the money. From a person getting the services: Melissa is the best, she calls me weekly to remind me of my appointments coming up. I am very pleased with the services and absolutely pleased with the services provided. I know that this alone helps ease the mind of my daughter. Thank you to the team at Always Best Care!”
“Always Best Care is a great company to work for and if you are looking for care for a loved one, I highly recommend them. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and supportive. I work in the senior industry and recommend Always Best Care to my clients that need extra support in their home or while family is away. Always Best Care will respond immediately and truly show compassion to others.”
“The Staff, the care teams and the owners are one of a kind! They take the time to ensure your care needs are met. Highly recommend giving them a call if you have senior care or senior living questions or concerns.”
“Nate took the time to meet with me and my family and help make sense of the questions we had when it came to the short and long term care of our loved one. When you have an elderly parent or a loved one with disabilities there are so many questions and so many emotions. It can be so confusing and it was hard for us to find one person or one company that has the knowledge and grasp of this industry that Nate has. We cannot thank him enough for guiding us through this process and his amazing bedside manner!”
“Hello to all of my Always Best Care friends, I'd like to wish you and your families a Merry, Blessed Christmas and a Happy, Prosperous New Year! My brother, my dad, and I really appreciate everything you did for us this year. You're amazing! All the best for the Christmas season and 2023,”
“I am a current client of this provider It is essential to us, he really needs assistance daily, and I work full time. I like their team approach.”
“This is one of the best companies I’ve worked for in a long time. The owners, Nate and Melisa, genuinely care about clients AND staff. They go above and beyond to support, encourage, and help everyone they work with. Their doors are always open, they’re generous with their time, and they truly want their staff to succeed. Donna in the billing department is fabulous, always available to answer questions or help in any way; Katrina in scheduling puts in so much time and effort to accommodate everyone’s needs and it’s amazing how well she handles everything; Angel works diligently on recruiting and training, making sure there’s plenty of staff to provide quality care; and Jackie is an incredible CHAMP, making sure clients are properly reassessed and care givers have the right tools and knowledge to do their job. ABC is a fantastic, compassionate, caring team I’m proud to be a part of, and I’m proud to serve our clients, too.”
“I am a current client of this provider It depends on who they hire for the job. The people they hire can improve.”
“I am a current client of this provider I would have had to quit my job if it wasn't for them and they go grocery shopping. They can have more guidance for the client and what to do for the client.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Riverfront Park in Conway, SC with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Rivertown Bistro or visit Horry County Museum, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Conway, SC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Conway, SC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Conway, SC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
On Thursday, the City of Conway officially morphed into the "City of Halloween."The now iconic Halloween tradition in Downtown Conway have been great for tourism with nearly half a million visitors drawn downtown to check out the haunts last year alone.But of course, with growth comes growing pains.One notable thing that’s different this year – parking and shuttles, and business owners in Conway have mixed feelings about them.Downtown businesses are decked out in decorations and visitors are ...
On Thursday, the City of Conway officially morphed into the "City of Halloween."
The now iconic Halloween tradition in Downtown Conway have been great for tourism with nearly half a million visitors drawn downtown to check out the haunts last year alone.
But of course, with growth comes growing pains.
One notable thing that’s different this year – parking and shuttles, and business owners in Conway have mixed feelings about them.
Downtown businesses are decked out in decorations and visitors are crawling all over the Downtown district to see all the City of Halloween has to offer.
While this new tradition has grown into a popular and in-demand event over the last few years – that growth has raised a few issues: parking, traffic and pedestrian safety at the top of that list.
To ease traffic and parking concerns downtown the City of Conway introduced dedicated parking and a shuttle to and from Downtown Conway this year.
READ NEXT: Planning Commission approves 372-home rezoning request along SC 905 in Horry Co.
All month long Thursday through Sunday from 4 to 10 p.m., free parking is available off Marina Drive – just south of the historic Downtown district.
The parking lot is a decent walk away from the Halloween attractions, so the city is offering a shuttle which will drop visitors off near the Marina.
ABC 15 sought to find out if local businesses were concerned the new transportation plans would impact the amount of foot traffic they hope comes by their shops.
I don't think it's going to be a problem. I think some people will get discouraged from it, and they're going to try to make their way in anyway. They're going to sneak in this town no matter what. I mean, you're talking about 50 to 60,000 people here in a week, maybe more, even a day," said Jim Leone, owner and chef at Leone's Italian Ristorante.
"We had a lot of foot traffic here last year. We had a lot of people come into town. 400,000, from what I understand. So why not bring them in on a bus? Most festivals that you go to, they bring them in on golf carts or busses. So why wouldn't we do that?" said Rebecca McGuffin, front end manager, The Trestle Bakery Cafe.
While most businesses tell us that they think it'll help them out even more - some are concerned.
One restaurant manager tells ABC 15 that he’s worried it might stop customers from walking as far.
"A lot of times they would park up that way and have to walk down this way to get to all the attractions and the things that, they have set up for the families and all that. So, it's definitely going to benefit or hurt us in a way of not having the foot traffic heading that way," said Adam Benjamin, general manager at River City Cafe in Downtown Conway.
Benjamin also mentioned the parade happening Thursday night for the kickoff – or the “Big Boo-ginning” event, which features a parade.
The parade will also limit traffic downtown – which surrounds River City Cafe.
Another shop owner said the traffic issues are a consistent problem, but he has high hopes about the shuttles - though he’s waiting to see whether or not they actually solve the issues.
"If they run on time and run, reliably, I think it'll work. Because it's just too much traffic right now. I think it's great what they're doing. It's fantastic. I hope they never stop. But they got to do something for the flow," said Bob Martire, owner of Our Next Chapter Bookstore.
The folks who spoke with ABC 15 in Downtown Conway tell us that aside from the traffic, they’re excited for another month of festivities here in Halloween, South Carolina.
ABC 15 has also learned that Conway's Celebration of Lights and the Under the Lights 5K have been cancelled. Those who have purchased tickets to the 5K have been refunded.
The city said the shuttle operating all month along Marina Drive will not allow the city enough time to set up the lights for the annual Christmas events.
_________________
For a full list of events this month, go here.
CONWAY — Gather around to hear a Halloween tale about how one small Southern town turned a temporary name change into a tourism gamechanger, and the resulting economic impact has been downright frightening.The community, which predates the Revolutionary War, was previously called Kingston (1732-1801) and later Conwayborough (1801-1883). Conway has added another moniker to the mix, albeit on a part-time basis.Rooted in the timber industry for building the ships and structures to settle early America, Conway has found a new...
CONWAY — Gather around to hear a Halloween tale about how one small Southern town turned a temporary name change into a tourism gamechanger, and the resulting economic impact has been downright frightening.
The community, which predates the Revolutionary War, was previously called Kingston (1732-1801) and later Conwayborough (1801-1883). Conway has added another moniker to the mix, albeit on a part-time basis.
Rooted in the timber industry for building the ships and structures to settle early America, Conway has found a new vessel for bringing commerce to the shores of the Waccamaw River by changing its name to the city of Halloween every October and transforming into the spookiest city this side of Transylvania.
Conway has nearly tripled its number of October visitors from 165,000 in 2020 to 456,000 in 2025, when it collected just shy of $400,000 in hospitality taxes for the month. More data shows October now rivals activity for downtown businesses in November and December combined.
"For many downtown businesses, October has eclipsed their Christmas holiday sales with October becoming the busiest month of the year," Conway Downtown Alive Executive Director Hillary Howard said. "Our restaurants operate at full capacity with many seeing a two-hour wait on October evenings."
Frozen treats might not be the easiest sale on a chilly October night, but Stella’s Homemade Ice Cream can’t scoop them fast enough.
New to the neighborhood and Halloween spirit that came with it when it opened at 1101 Fourth Ave. in 2023, Stella’s actually ran out of ice cream and had to bring in some from its Murrells Inlet location before scrambling to make more mid-celebration. Now it has learned to stock up in advance and join in the decorations and fun.
"Ice cream is definitely a summer business, but October is one of our busiest months, which is just the opposite of the Murrells Inlet store," said owner Haley Williamson, who makes five special monster-themed flavors for the festivities. "Having such a strong October really gives us a boost and carries us into the slower winter months."
Emily Smith, owner of Good Day Sunshine artisan boutique, has been located at 1011 Third Ave. for a decade. She said the difference in the number of people stopping by the shop in October has multiplied tenfold over that time.
"Night and day — 10 times what we saw in October just 10 years ago," she said. "Now it's right there neck-and-neck with our Christmas season."
Smith makes Halloween candles that sold out last year and now can be found in curio cabinets around the world.
"Last year we had people from Germany, California, Canada, Mexico — all coming to little old Conway," she said.
Dollars and visitors aren't the only measurable benefits from the name switcheroo; so is name recognition.
City spokeswoman June Wood had to leave straight from work on a recent Friday to embark on a cross-state drive while still wearing her "City of Halloween" shirt that proved to be the talk of the trip.
"Our brand recognition is off the charts," Wood said of the Halloween stunt. "Everywhere I stopped — Buc-ee's, Clemson, everybody was commenting on my shirt and about how they had been here or they wanted to come here for Halloween. It has become larger than itself, which is insane given how it all started."
Conway's journey to becoming Halloween was sparked by an unlikely source of inspiration: Christmas. The city spent years and tax dollars striving to gain tourism traction for its small-town charm and decor during the December holiday season.
"One of the city's biggest goals was to make Southern Living's top 10 list for the best Christmas towns," Wood said. "We went to some of these places on the list — Dahlonega, Ga., McAdenville, N.C. — and we were doing the same things they were doing. The reality was everybody was already doing Christmas.
"So we started thinking about other holidays where we could stand out and how Halloween has so much lore. People get so excited about the arrival of fall weather and football season, and the people who are fans of Halloween really love it. We thought there might be an opportunity."
The city's early Halloween efforts started modestly in 2019 and were limited to hanging plastic jack-o'-lanterns from the oak trees that line Main Street in the downtown district. That small investment paid shockingly strong dividends — even if it meant some small sacrifices for local children.
"We never imagined how hard it would be to find so many plastic pumpkins, but we went to all the local Walmarts and other stores and bought them out," Wood said. "It only cost us about $500, but they were very impactful."
"A lot of our local kids had to go trick-or-treating with paper bags that year," she joked.
The pumpkin patch has spread across the city and is now as recognizable as the autumn leaves changing colors.
"It's like the cherry blossoms in spring," Wood said. "People know it's fall when the pumpkins are blooming in Conway."
The city has since taken decorating to the next level with the whole month of September spent creating the right atmosphere. Conway also goes to great lengths to keep the decor "family scary" — traditional Halloween trappings without the blood and gore.
But if a few hundred bucks for a plastic jack-o'-lantern forest sounds like a good deal, the marketing move of changing the town's name for 31 days proved an even bigger bargain: free. However, it was also a tough sell to some city leaders and residents.
While tinkering with the city logo to create a spookier font and cobweb-draped serifs, the word "Conway" was replaced by "Halloween" and an idea was born.
Despite getting some odd looks from citizens and City Council, the name change gained widespread attention and momentum when it passed in 2022.
"Trying to convince a community to do something crazy is not easy," Wood joked. "But we wanted to do this for economic development, and once everybody saw the benefits they really dived in head first."
Each year the city has expanded its list of offerings: coffin races and ghost tours through the historic district, a haunted pirate ship and river cruise on the waterfront, concerts and a barbecue cookoff outdoors.
Special events include Halloween movie nights in the downtown district, the Monster Mash on Mill Pond kids' festival with pumpkin-painting and other activities, and the Fear Factory featuring three haunted attractions: the Conway Haunted Manor, Elm Street Asylum and Kingston Hollow Spooky Maze.
The city also timed the calendar right this year and get five weekends in October instead of the usual four, including Halloween falling on a Saturday night. That could prove to be another record-setting month for Conway.
Even win-win-win scenarios have a few drawbacks, but Conway’s are "good problems" from an economic standpoint that stem from one simple reality: The monthlong festival has become almost too popular.
With the community welcoming 40,000 to 50,000 guests per weekend to a city of 30,000 residents, the large crowds have created issues with traffic, parking and public safety. A new shuttle system ferrying visitors to and from the downtown district via a parking lot on Marina Drive aims to alleviate all three.
"When you have a lot of people and kids downtown at night and a lot of traffic and cars driving around, there's concern about public safety," Wood said, "but we’re working hard to make sure our visitors have a safe, fun time."
The city's lack of accommodations has also been a hindrance to attracting more overnight visitors, with Conway nearly maxing out its availability with 5,400 room nights in October 2025.
In an interesting twist, hotels in neighboring Myrtle Beach have started marketing to visitors looking to spend their October days at the beach and their nights about 15 miles away in Conway, formerly a tourism afterthought.
"We caught attention on a regional and national level, and Myrtle Beach uses it to encourage people to come during their shoulder season," said Wood, adding that it speaks volumes that Conway is drawing attention from the neighboring tourism behemoth.
"We didn't envision this. It was never our intention to bring in so many people from so far away, but the word is out and it keeps snowballing. People come and they tell their family and friends about it and it just keeps growing. We're proud of what it has become."
The name change and festivities officially open Oct. 1 with the Big BOO-ginning — a Halloween-themed parade through downtown that starts at the Fourth Avenue Riverwalk. The parade route runs along Kingston Street to Third Avenue and Laurel Street to the Town Green, which will host the kickoff celebration.
Festivities include a live concert by Ghoul Vibrations at the Town Green, a costume contest, and food and drink. Attendees can also check out the many displays around town that start Oct. 1, including the Fear Factory Haunted Attractions and the Children's Halloween Pirate Adventure at the Conway Riverwalk.
On Oct. 2-3, Conway comes to life with Smoke on the Waccamaw BBQ Festival and Soup Cookoff at the Billy Gardner Sports Complex. Teams will compete through a haze of smoke to see who makes the best meat, followed by a banquet of soups to take the nip out of the night air. Vendors and activities will be on-hand and visitors can vote for their favorites.
Oct. 2 also starts the popular Halloween Movie Nights on the Terror (a spooky spin on The Terrace outdoor theater at 110 Laurel St.) with the showing of "Hocus Pocus." Guests are encouraged bring chairs or blanket and enjoy hot chocolate, s'mores and more each Friday at 7 p.m.
Three popular fast food restaurants will join a new Food Lion store in a Conway retail development.New Del Taco, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen locations are planned for the new 5.75-acre retail development at 3425 U.S. 501. Plans for the fast-dining restaurants come after Food Lion signed a lease to open a new store in March.All three restaurant chains have opened other Grand Strand locations this year, and Impeccable Development, the real estate development company behind the pr...
Three popular fast food restaurants will join a new Food Lion store in a Conway retail development.
New Del Taco, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen locations are planned for the new 5.75-acre retail development at 3425 U.S. 501. Plans for the fast-dining restaurants come after Food Lion signed a lease to open a new store in March.
All three restaurant chains have opened other Grand Strand locations this year, and Impeccable Development, the real estate development company behind the project, has other restaurants from the chains in the area. Sister company Impeccable Restaurants operates franchisees of Del Taco, Freddy’s and Popeyes.
Del Taco – known for tacos, burritos, burgers and more – opened its first South Carolina location in Socastee this summer after previously closing its restaurants in the state. Like the planned Conway location, the Socastee Del Taco is operated by Impeccable Development and Impeccable Restaurant Group. The companies also plan to open a Little River Del Taco restaurant this month.
Impeccable Development has also opened new Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers locations in the Grand Strand recently, including in Conway and the same Little River and Socastee shopping centers as Del Taco. Like its name suggests, the chain is known for its frozen treats and steak burgers, as well as sandwiches and hot dogs.
Likewise, a new Impeccable Development Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen franchise in the existing Freddy’s retail center located in Conway in January. The chicken chain is popular for its fried chicken, tenders, sandwiches and Louisiana-inspired sides.
It’s unclear when Impeccable Development will break ground on the new Conway restaurants. Messages left with Impeccable Development about other retail spaces and development timelines were not returned before publication.
CONWAY, S.C. (WPDE) — The beginning of September marks more than just the end of summer, or beginning of the school year; for Conway residents, it's also the commencement of "City of Halloween" celebrations.For four years in a row, Conway has officially renamed itself the "City of Halloween," marking the beginning of spooky season with a South Carolina spin.The full agenda of city events dropped today, and there are dozens of festivities to choose from for children of all ages, Coastal Carolina Univers...
CONWAY, S.C. (WPDE) — The beginning of September marks more than just the end of summer, or beginning of the school year; for Conway residents, it's also the commencement of "City of Halloween" celebrations.
For four years in a row, Conway has officially renamed itself the "City of Halloween," marking the beginning of spooky season with a South Carolina spin.
The full agenda of city events dropped today, and there are dozens of festivities to choose from for children of all ages, Coastal Carolina University students, and scream queen movie lovers alike. Here's a list of top events, where to find them, and who they're for.
Looking for that perfect pumpkin for painting or carving? If you're planning to make a jack-o-lantern, stop by the courtyard at First UMC for a variety of pumpkins and gourds. Starting Sunday, September 27, they are open daily Monday - Friday at 11-7 p.m., Saturdays 10 -6:30 and Sundays 11:45- 7 p.m. Proceeds from purchases go to fund First UMC's children and youth ministry programs.
Join the "City of Halloween" to commence spooky season on Thursday, October 1 at 7 p.m. for a parade, food trucks, concert, and costume contest with cash prizes. To participate in the costume march parade and costume contest, registration is required and will begin at 6 p.m.
The parade will travel from Kingston Street to Third Avenue, continue along Laurel Street, and end at the Town Green. After the parade, Ghoul Vibrations will bring ghoulish grooves with a live concert at the Town Green, located at 200 Laurel Street. Costume contest winners will be announced following the show.
Stroll through this spooky vendor market on the "Town Scream" for handmade arts and crafts, sweet treats, and even hair braiding. The market will take place every Thursday-Sunday from 6 -9 p.m., October 1 through November 1 (weather permitting).
Last year, local vendors spoke to how they feel events such as the Midnight Market bolster small businesses in Conway, and give vendors the chance to participate in different, unique atmosphere special to the season.
Fans of haunted houses ranging from family-friendly fun to shriek-inducing thrillers can take their pick at the Fear Factory, which showcases a variety of three different haunted houses with different scare levels this year.
For lighthearted spookiness, check out the Conway Haunted Manor on various dates throughout October, open 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Kingston Hollow Spooky Maze will be fun for all ages 5 to 10 on select dates through October.
Finally, Elm Street Asylum will exhibit intense scares for real horror fans on select dates in October from 7 - 10 p.m., though it is not recommended for the faint of heart.
Find all the attractions at the Field of Fear at 7 Elm Street and visit Fear Factory on Facebook for exact dates.
PREVIOUSLY: Conway's Halloween celebration draws record-breaking 450K visitors
For a spooky, dusk time night cruise, climb aboard the Sea Gypsy for a 25-minute journey down the Waccamaw River to see the Conway Riverwalk transformed into the Conway "Shiverwalk."
Complete with ghost stories, Lowcountry lore, and more, this bone-rattling river cruise will be running Wednesday through Sunday all October long from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Climb aboard your next ghoulish getaway at Main Street Bridge along the Riverwalk, Conway Riverwalk, 2nd Avenue, Conway, SC, USA. Click here to grab your spot.
Conway Downtown Alive will present the Conway Ghost Walk on October 14-16. Professional storytellers will tell tales of Lowcountry ghost stories while leading a nighttime walk beneath the oaks of the Historic Conwayborough Residential District.
Stories are promised to be spooky, sometimes humorous, and family friendly.
Located at the Conway Visitor's Center, this runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Purchase tickets here.
For more events and information, visit the City of Halloween Facebook Page.
CONWAY, SC (WMBF) - The Conway community says their water bills have spiked despite claims that water habits remain the same.Several people WMBF spoke with say their water payment on their recent bill from the city increased by double or nearly triple.“I received my bill last week in the mail,” Conway resident Jim Bennett said. “I was shocked to see it not only the amount had tripled up to $143 which normally my water bill is like $50 a month.”Others also spoke out about a similar situation....
CONWAY, SC (WMBF) - The Conway community says their water bills have spiked despite claims that water habits remain the same.
Several people WMBF spoke with say their water payment on their recent bill from the city increased by double or nearly triple.
“I received my bill last week in the mail,” Conway resident Jim Bennett said. “I was shocked to see it not only the amount had tripled up to $143 which normally my water bill is like $50 a month.”
Others also spoke out about a similar situation.
“My original bill was in the $25 range, and now I see bills as high as 45,” Conway resident James McNair said.
Several people have also expressed their frustrations on social media.
“It was crazy,” said resident Jane Cologna. “And then when I went on, there’s a Conway Facebook page, and I saw that there’s many, many people who have the same problem.”
The situation has left many people questioning why their bill went up, despite many saying they haven’t used water excessively.
“I’d like a reasonable explanation, you know, from them and I want my water bill to go back down,” resident Susan Canterbury said. “I don’t even water my lawn. I don’t have a pool; I don’t have a jacuzzi.”
The city told WMBF in a statement that there is no single explanation that applies to every person seeing an increase in their bill. There could be different factors contributing, or a combination of them.
However, council member William Goldfinch told WMBF there may be a possible reason.
“But it’s the fact the City of Conway, we purchase our water from Grand Strand Sewer and Water Authority, and they raised our rates; you know, it forces us to pass that additional expense onto the user, our consumer, our constituents here in Conway,” Goldfinch said.
Increased fees are equally perplexing to some who have been decreasing their water usage.
Bennett, who lives by himself, said his water usage fee jumped by over double.
“We’re experiencing a water shortage, so I haven’t been watering my lawn; I’m not taking anymore showers,” Bennett said. “I just don’t know how I can more than double the usage of my water. But in any event, the bill still needs to be paid; I need my water.”
Others also feel that water line leaks are not a factor.
”Well, I don’t think all of us have leaks in our water," Cologna said.
The city advises those affected to reach out so they can review customer accounts, billing periods, and water usage.
Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WMBF. For more free content like this, Have feedback that can help us improve?
Copyright 2026 WMBF. All rights reserved.
803-403-1895
