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 the historic Town Clock, Cannon Barrel 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.
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available.”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always”
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available. She has great contacts and helped guide us thru the process. We received wonderful service. Thanks!”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them twice, both in emergency situations and they have treated us as if we were their only clients. Within an hour of our first call, we had paperwork completed and a caregiver on the way – and that was a holiday weekend. When the second emergency occurred, we knew exactly who to contact. We truly appreciate everything that Lisa, Melissa and the entire team have done for our family.”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any family living close to him. My sister and I were relived to know he was well taken care of. The caregivers truly care about your loved ones.”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the office staff and caregivers were professional and caring- would definitely recommend if you need care at home-”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource in providing services to our patients!”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I needed to qualify people who could deal with my sister with brain cancer. My sister would throw people in and out of her house; it was crazy. She died on December 5th. Always Best Care sent incredible people. I don't know where they came from, but they had one girl who was the only person my sister never attempted to throw out of the house. I'd never hear one bad word about this woman who was actually pulling double shifts at the end because my sister liked her so much. For some reason, this woman understood my sister and brain cancer. Brain cancer is hard to deal with because people could be pretty mean and abusive and they don't know what they're doing really. My sister was also going blind at the same time. It was not easy. I just wanted to say what wonderful care we received from Always Best Care. It was amazing. They were just coming and being there. My sister was crazy, and she didn't want anybody overnight, until she finally let me have someone come in overnight. On that night, she died. She got to die in her home, which is what I'm trying to do because that too was the most important thing of all. Always Best Care was able to staff at short notice and send really good people. I was impressed, and I would highly recommend them. They would help my sister get to the bathroom. She weighed 70 pounds when she died, but she was still able to walk. She had cancers on both her femurs, and her blood pressure was 80/47. They just helped with everything, like fixing her small meals, fixing coffee, and talking to her if she wanted to talk or not talking to her if she didn't want to talk. They were just very great with their help. My sister had brain cancer and she was belligerent. Always Best Care would find people within their staff. Also, it didn't take them long, I didn't have to wait. We had letters from others saying they don't have staff right now. With Always Best Care, I did it over the phone with a woman who was a Godsend. I think the caregiver was sent almost the first day and was there every day except on the weekend when they sent someone else. That person seemed to work out OK, too, which amazed me. For some reason, these people knew how to appease someone who is really crazy. It was the cancer; it was in my sister's head. You have to be tough-skinned and just realize that this is the disease talking to you and not a person. They were able to do that, and I feel very blessed.”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing.”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and support me daily! We have many calls to work on performance and continue to grow and learn!”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing. Donna O.”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always focused on the care and not a much of processes and forms. I would highly recommend them to all.”
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 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.
It took Joe Floriano three tries before he found the best place for his new deli. But he’s hoping that the Conway location, along with the name, will draw customers to check out his sandwiches and desserts.Floriano, along with his wife, Michelle, have opened Don’s Deli and Bakery at 201 Graduate Road, Suite 114, across from Coastal Carolina University off of U.S. 501.Floriano bought the naming rights from Don Jackson, who formerly operated the popular Don’s Deli on Church Street in downtown Conway.Jacks...
It took Joe Floriano three tries before he found the best place for his new deli. But he’s hoping that the Conway location, along with the name, will draw customers to check out his sandwiches and desserts.
Floriano, along with his wife, Michelle, have opened Don’s Deli and Bakery at 201 Graduate Road, Suite 114, across from Coastal Carolina University off of U.S. 501.
Floriano bought the naming rights from Don Jackson, who formerly operated the popular Don’s Deli on Church Street in downtown Conway.
Jackson comes into the deli from time to time since it opened on Aug. 15, 2025, and helps to make sandwiches, Floriano said.
Floriano hopes to build on Jackson’s reputation, as well as his own years of operating delis.
“I’m going to give them the same type of sandwich,” Floriano said of Jackson’s reputation for providing a good deli experience.
Floriano had operated delis in New York before making the move to South Carolina in December.
The deli will serve both hot and cold sandwiches, as well as bakery items. Floriano makes his own gyros and kaiser rolls, as well as cannolis filled with a cream that is a recipe passed down from generation to generation, he said.
Floriano also will serve his version of the cronut, a recipe he developed that was popular at his deli in New York and at festivals. Other bakery items include devil dogs, pies and cheesecakes.
Floriano and his family made the move to Myrtle Beach seeking an opportunity to open a new restaurant. After his Enrico’s Pastry Shop in Hartsdale was flooded following Hurricane Ida in 2021, Floriano said he struggled to keep the deli open after the storm damage.
They heard that a family friend had opened a pizza restaurant in Myrtle Beach and was doing well. So Floriano came to the area to scope out a possible place to open a new deli.
He realized that many transplants from New York and New Jersey, like himself, were looking for a good place to get sandwiches and desserts they knew from home.
Floriano’s sandwiches are each made fresh and are piled high with meats and cheeses.
He said customers won’t go hungry. In fact, he said customers can come in and get a sandwich and a dessert for lunch, and maybe even have some leftover for dinner.
CONWAY, SC (WMBF) - An international party bike company could soon be coming to the city of Conway.Council passed the first reading Monday night of a proposal to allow Pedal Pub in the city, which has over 50 locations across the United States and Canada, including in cities like Charlotte and Wilmington.City staff did express concerns about alcohol on the Pedal Pub, saying the city doesn’t have an open container zone.However, officials with Pedal Pub said during the meeting that there would be no alcohol on the bi...
CONWAY, SC (WMBF) - An international party bike company could soon be coming to the city of Conway.
Council passed the first reading Monday night of a proposal to allow Pedal Pub in the city, which has over 50 locations across the United States and Canada, including in cities like Charlotte and Wilmington.
City staff did express concerns about alcohol on the Pedal Pub, saying the city doesn’t have an open container zone.
However, officials with Pedal Pub said during the meeting that there would be no alcohol on the bike, and they never intended to sell alcohol on board.
According to the company, the bike would bring guests to different businesses in the city, such as restaurants, ice cream shops, bakeries and the theater.
The tours would last two hours, and guests would spend 20 minutes at each establishment.
The party bike allows 15 people to ride it. The bikes are powered by those pedaling but have a driver and a motor for extra assistance and safety.
The proposed pubs will only be driven on streets with a speed limit of less than 35 miles per hour.
The company said that its biggest concern is supporting the community and Conway businesses.
The company added it wants to do historical tours at some point as well.
The president of the company also wants to expand to Myrtle Beach.
Conway City Council will need to pass a second reading before Pedal Pub is officially allowed.
Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WMBF. For more free content like this, Have feedback that can help us improve?
Copyright 2025 WMBF. All rights reserved.
Just over 109 acres off Cultra Road is on its way to being added into Conway city limits after council voted Monday, Aug. 4, to annex the property for a future neighborhood.The property — at Cultra Road and Oak Street — is currently in Horry County’s Commercial Forest Agriculture district and could be rezoned to Conway’s Medium-Density Residential zone, after it's annexed.Conway City Council on Monday took its first vote on the annexation request, which will go to planning commission members Thursday for...
Just over 109 acres off Cultra Road is on its way to being added into Conway city limits after council voted Monday, Aug. 4, to annex the property for a future neighborhood.
The property — at Cultra Road and Oak Street — is currently in Horry County’s Commercial Forest Agriculture district and could be rezoned to Conway’s Medium-Density Residential zone, after it's annexed.
Conway City Council on Monday took its first vote on the annexation request, which will go to planning commission members Thursday for a public hearing and recommendation.
A large portion of the property is in a flood zone that runs through the middle of the property, Conway planning documents state.
For Conway Councilman William Goldfinch, the property being in city limits instead of unincorporated Horry County is the “lesser of two evils.”
“We’ve got to annex it, because if we don’t, it will be worse,” Goldfinch said, adding that the sensitive areas of the property would be developed if the neighborhood stayed in the county. Goldfinch also mentioned concerns about traffic in the area.
If located in the city, staff has said they would not support rezoning portions of the property within the flood zone to allow residential development. Instead, these areas could be rezoned as Conservation Preservation.
The applicant, Development Resource Group, LLC, is seeking the city’s Medium-Density Residential zone, but the city’s future land use map shows three preferred designations: Neighborhood Commercial, Conservation Preservation and High-Density Residential.
The planning commission will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, where a public hearing is scheduled. Those interested in sharing their opinions on the proposed annexation may attend the meeting in the Planning and Building Department’s conference room, at 196 Laurel Street.
After Thursday’s meeting, the annexation request would need to go back to city council for a final reading.
A Myrtle Beach-based developer is in the process of annexing more than 100 acres off of Cultra Road in Conway, SC.If approved, this over 109-acre property that sits near the intersection of Cultra Road and Oak Street, could be added to Conway city limits.At least 30 people packed into the Planning Commission meeting on Thursday night to discuss the development on the property. None of the residents who spoke were in favor of the project.No plans were discussed and no documents of what the new development could look like ...
A Myrtle Beach-based developer is in the process of annexing more than 100 acres off of Cultra Road in Conway, SC.
If approved, this over 109-acre property that sits near the intersection of Cultra Road and Oak Street, could be added to Conway city limits.
At least 30 people packed into the Planning Commission meeting on Thursday night to discuss the development on the property. None of the residents who spoke were in favor of the project.
No plans were discussed and no documents of what the new development could look like have been submitted to the city.
The city’s planning commission, a volunteer board, voted to postpone their final decision on the large property until their Sept. 4 meeting as a result of the property’s identification number not being included in a public advertisement required by law. Although the statute doesn’t mandate that the number has to be in the public advertisement.
Given the public’s response to the new development, Conway’s Planning and Development Director Jessica Hucks said she’d recommend advertising it again.
Project Engineer, Rob Wilfong, from Development Resource Group LLC, who would be developing the over 100-acre property, declined further comment to The Sun News about the project.
Horry County land records show that this property is owned by Burroughs & Chapin Company Inc. No permits or transfer data were available on the county’s land records database about the property.
Even if the annexation is ultimately denied, the property could still be developed with greater density under its current Horry County Commericial Forest Agriculture zoning.
Wilfong with DRG said at a city planning commission meeting that under the property’s current zoning, he can build up to two residences per acre on the property and a myriad of different commercial options including livestock, retail and storage units.
That means that DRG could develop up to 208 homes on the property even if the city denies them annexation.
Residents of the adjacent Midtown Village development, including John and Ellen Powell, shared concerns about traffic, protecting wetlands and the potential for flooding if the trees are all cut down to make way for the new houses.
“What about the people?,” John asked. “What about the people that are already here that don’t want what’s already going on?”
He said he was ready to move and felt unheard.
“I think this is ridiculous,” Ellen said. “You have a flood zone and you’re going to take down all the trees? Who does that? I mean I think it’s really, really dumb.”
“Is it a done deal?” Denise Linderson, another resident of Midtown Village asked the planning commission about the new development.
The Midtown Village development is a subdivision that borders the property DRG would develop. It was almost 15 years in the making, with original homes being built in 2008 and construction continuing through 2021, according to the developer’s website.
Planning commission chair Jessica Wise confirmed that this request was for rezoning and annexation and that the board hadn’t received any plans yet.
“The city does require connectivity between neighborhoods,” she said.
This means that if the property does get annexed, the roads will connect through to the existing Midtown Village neighborhood.
Kelli Thomas said when she began waitressing at Rivertown Bistro months after it opened in 1994, she had no idea what to do when a customer ordered calamari.Thomas, who now works for Conway Alive, went to the bartender, thinking it was a drink, and together they tried to figure out how to make a calamari. At that point in time, Conway was a small Southern town and a restaurant had never added something like fried squid to the menu.Conway has come a long way since Rivertown Bistro had Thomas learning what calamari is on the job....
Kelli Thomas said when she began waitressing at Rivertown Bistro months after it opened in 1994, she had no idea what to do when a customer ordered calamari.
Thomas, who now works for Conway Alive, went to the bartender, thinking it was a drink, and together they tried to figure out how to make a calamari. At that point in time, Conway was a small Southern town and a restaurant had never added something like fried squid to the menu.
Conway has come a long way since Rivertown Bistro had Thomas learning what calamari is on the job.
When Darren Smith first opened the restaurant, he said Conway was a “one-restaurant town.” That has changed drastically in the last 10 years, with more than 20 restaurants now open in a small radius.
This evolution was not accidental. The city capitalized on Horry County’s growth and put resources towards turning downtown into a destination. This allowed Conway to transform itself from simply being a historic town to a “little Charleston,” as described by Justin Falcone, the owner of Italian restaurant Leone’s.
During Smith’s first 20 years in Conway, he said many restaurants would open for only a few years before closing — but that changed when the city began investing in itself.
In 2016, The Burroughs Company donated about five acres of waterfront land to the city of Conway, according to The Sun News. This spurred city officials to begin working on a downtown masterplan to use the land wisely, said City Administrator Adam Emrick.
“(The land donation) really forced us to look inward and give a critical look to all the space that we owned and challenge ourselves to do better,” he said.
The masterplan outlined goals for Conway’s downtown. Objectives included promoting Conway as a place for “fine arts, cultural and historic groups” and encouraging mixed use environments, including retail, employment and residential use. The idea was to bring more people downtown, according to a 2019 masterplan.
Conway offered new incentives to businesses looking to open in the downtown area, like reimbursing capital recovery fees, Emrick said. The city charges these fees to new businesses to help offset the added strain to public resources. The reimbursement made it cheaper, and easier, for businesses to open downtown.
The city eventually had to remove this incentive in downtown corridors, as space for new development ran out, Emrick said.
These tactics spurred what feels like organic growth. Along Main Street of Conway, one can find the twee Our Next Chapter Bookstore, a historic performing arts theater and a variety of restaurants. The historic buildings and the mom-and-pop businesses fit together, giving downtown Conway the Hallmark feel the city strived to create.
“A lot of people that were born and raised in Conway are still here or live locally. I think they appreciate the growth without commercializing it,” said Falcone of Leone’s.
Myrtle Beach-area businesses rely on the influx of summer vacationers to get them through the rest of the year. However, the Conway market does not work like that.
“Myrtle Beach is so up and down because of tourism. One of the restaurants I worked at (in Myrtle Beach), their slowest week was $4,000 a week and their busiest week was $285,000,” said Chris Snyder, the owner of the Crooked Oak Tavern. “I didn’t want to do that. It was a lot of work for staffing.”
Several restaurant owners, including Snyder, said one reason they opened in Conway was to avoid the stress of Myrtle Beach’s fluctuating seasons. The restaurant owners also love that their main customer base is year-round locals.
“The backbone of my business are locals, even if it’s Myrtle Beach people and from Pawleys Island. We pull from all surrounding communities, from the beach and inland, Aynor, Florence and all that,” Smith said.
Conway locals no longer feel like they need to “cross the bridge” to find a good meal, said June Wood, the Conway Public Information Officer. For example, when Wood grew up in Conway, she and her friends would drive into Myrtle Beach for prom dinner. Now, downtown Conway fills with high schoolers on prom night.
The local restaurants are also less competitive. Each restaurant has their niche, with farm-to-table food available at Crooked Oak Tavern, Italian cuisine at Leone’s and Jamaican curries at Caribbean Jerk Cuisine Restaurant to name a few. There is also a variety of price points, from a $3 slice of pizza at Anto’s Pizza Romana or a $47 ribeye at Rivertown Bistro. This allows restaurants to build into their niche and not compete as intensely with each other.
“I’ve always been a big proponent of if we’re busy, they can go somewhere else. If someone else is busy, they can come here or they can go somewhere else,” Snyder said.
Come October, the trees in downtown Conway are filled with pumpkins, there is a haunted boat floating in the marina and the streets are lined with skeletons and other scary creatures.
The city leaned heavily into events, such as Halloween, Burger Week, the city’s Christmas decorations and the Riverwalk Festival, to draw people into Conway multiple times a year. The city’s Halloween decorations seem to be the most successful.
“October and December, with Halloween and Christmas, is just, that’s our busy time,” Snyder said.
Beginning in the early 2020s, Conway stopped trying to be nationally known for its Christmas displays and put more effort into Halloween, Wood previously told The Sun News. Over the years, the city has spent over $500,000 on Halloween decorations, The Sun News reported.
Conway also changes its name to Halloween for the month of October.
Multiple restaurant owners said October is their busiest month of the year, attributing the increase in business to the city’s celebration.
“The city officials in the last several years have really put an effort to making it feel like small town USA. The addition of the riverwalk, and then the extension of that subsequently, has just really dumped people down here,” Smith said. “All the little festivals that we do and the celebrations of the different holidays have put Conway on the map everywhere you go.”
Looking forward, Conway is working to offer experiences that appeal to the next generation, not just the current population.
“There used to be this mantra amongst us, locals, when we were in high school, that we would graduate and leave and go find bigger things for ourselves in other cities,” Wood said. “The city tries to appeal to (younger generations) so that they have fond memories here. Then after their studies, if they stay local, or whether they go away, that whenever they decide to call a place home that we want them to come back to Conway.”
843-640-0129
