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.
“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 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.
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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.
For many decades, utilities dumped billions of tons of coal ash — the toxic substance left after burning coal — in unlined ponds, landfills, and mines where the toxic pollution leaks into water and soil.Across the U.S., immense coal ash dumps are leaking hazardous chemicals including arsenic, chromium, lead, lithium, radium, and other heavy metals, which have been linked to numerous types of cancer, heart and thyroid disease, respiratory illness, reproductive failure, and neurological harm. In addition to those well-known ...
For many decades, utilities dumped billions of tons of coal ash — the toxic substance left after burning coal — in unlined ponds, landfills, and mines where the toxic pollution leaks into water and soil.
Across the U.S., immense coal ash dumps are leaking hazardous chemicals including arsenic, chromium, lead, lithium, radium, and other heavy metals, which have been linked to numerous types of cancer, heart and thyroid disease, respiratory illness, reproductive failure, and neurological harm. In addition to those well-known health threats, in 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency acknowledged that coal ash contains levels of arsenic and radiation that pose cancer risks.
Coal ash remains one of our nation’s largest toxic industrial waste streams. U.S. coal plants continue to produce approximately 70 million tons every year. Coal ash is disproportionately located in low-income communities and communities of color.
Industry’s own data indicate that across the country almost all coal plants are polluting water above federal safe drinking water standards.
Despite regulations established a decade ago, the coal industry has failed to comply with federal safeguards and uses deceptive tactics to avoid cleaning up its coal ash.
Because of industry’s widespread violations of coal ash regulations, in 2023, the EPA ramped up enforcement after designating coal ash a national enforcement priority. The EPA reports that many plants are illegally closing coal ash ponds with toxic ash sitting in groundwater, threatening drinking water and the health of nearby residents.
The longer industry delays, the more toxic waste enters our water, and the more difficult cleanup becomes. But the coal industry is asking Trump’s EPA to let them off the hook.
Federal coal ash protections established in 2015 and 2024 require monitoring, closure, and cleanup of the more than 1,000 coal ash dumps across the country. Cleaning up coal ash now will not only prevent another billion-dollar catastrophic failure, it will preserve drinking water; protect rivers, streams, and lakes; and allow safe redevelopment of power plant sites.
The magnitude of harm from recklessly dumped toxic coal ash requires decisive action from federal and state regulators:
CONWAY — Long before October begins, a team of volunteers and city workers scrambles to convert Conway into the City of Halloween.They haul 15-foot skeletons, hang plastic pumpkins in the trees and string witch hats from city buildings. Some city employees prepare for Halloween all year."Nobody does what we do," City Administrator Adam Emrick said.What began as a seasonal gimmick has morphed into an annual citywide transformation with an October calendar that includes more than 200 events.New this ...
CONWAY — Long before October begins, a team of volunteers and city workers scrambles to convert Conway into the City of Halloween.
They haul 15-foot skeletons, hang plastic pumpkins in the trees and string witch hats from city buildings. Some city employees prepare for Halloween all year.
"Nobody does what we do," City Administrator Adam Emrick said.
What began as a seasonal gimmick has morphed into an annual citywide transformation with an October calendar that includes more than 200 events.
New this year will be a market on the town green with Halloween-themed vendors and a pirate adventure boat tour on the Waccamaw River. Other highlights include the Tunnel of Bones in the newly paved Holiday Alley, a skeleton disco, movie scenes set up around town and, of course, the pumpkins in Main Street’s trees.
This season will offer more decorations and events than the city has ever had, Emrick said.
This is the first year that Conway has invited volunteers to help with Halloween preparations, and the community has responded in force. More than 130 volunteers have been helping decorate the city, said holiday coordinator Bess Harry.
Harry’s position was created in March. In previous years, Emrick and several others made the holiday decorations happen, but there was no designated organizer.
Now, Harry coordinates the volunteer program. Participants have been meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a few weeks to get the city ready for its seasonal rebranding.
More than 50 volunteers were at the city shop on the morning of Sept. 4.
Outside of the warehouse, Tracy Bush pulled 15-foot skeletons out of storage and evaluated the broken ones, looking for ways to repair them.
Bush saw an ad seeking Halloween volunteers in late August. He had been looking for something to do in retirement. This was an easy sell.
Along with repairing skeletons, Bush helped put together some of the new animatronics and painted the homecoming carriage black. That took 19 cans of spray paint.
Inside the warehouse, Candy Vinovich meticulously pressed small disco mirror stick-ons onto a large skeleton. Each skeleton takes about 20 hours to bedazzle.
These skeletons will soon be set up in Kingston Park along with disco balls and lights for Conway’s first skeleton disco.
"It’s so fun to help put everything together and then also be able to be a part of putting it out there," Vinovich said.
On Oct. 16, there will be a disco event at the park with a DJ who has played in New York and Los Angeles, Emerick said. The event will be like a rave with EDM music.
This is the event the city administrator is most excited about.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Emrick and his wife saw a Pinterest photo of pumpkins in a tree. They started buying pumpkins later that day.
They drove to Targets and Walmarts across the city and bought all of the fake pumpkins they could find. The pumpkins were hung in the trees on Main Street one night, and it was an instant hit. People would drive out of their way to see them.
The next year, the city wanted to do something to top it. Now, every season the decorations get more elaborate than the last. In 2022, Conway made a proclamation declaring itself the City of Halloween.
The state's Halloween hamlet has gotten bigger each year because of the success of Conway businesses. Hospitality fee revenues are used to pay for the decorations.
The amount the city spends has increased from $116,391 in the 2023 fiscal year to $229,712.89 in the fiscal year that just ended, according to city records.
City officials said that total includes all holidays, not just Halloween. They also pointed out that those decorations bring people downtown.
In 2017, five years before the city started its Halloween blitz, downtown saw 135,000 visitors in October, according to the city's data. Last year, that total had jumped to 235,000. Some businesses have a hard time keeping up with the increased traffic.
"The hope for us is that the businesses will be so successful that the money that they collect will pay for the next year," Emrick said.
A Conway, South Carolina, pizzeria has brought home top international honors, winning first place in the focaccia category at the prestigious Pizza World Cup in Rome, Italy.Anto’s Pizza Romana and Italian Market, owned by Anthony Ludovici-DeBrigida, took home the title in their first international competition after competing against elite teams from Italy, France and beyond.The global competition, which draws some of the world’s best pizza makers, awarded the Conway-based eatery for its expertly crafted Roman-style ...
A Conway, South Carolina, pizzeria has brought home top international honors, winning first place in the focaccia category at the prestigious Pizza World Cup in Rome, Italy.
Anto’s Pizza Romana and Italian Market, owned by Anthony Ludovici-DeBrigida, took home the title in their first international competition after competing against elite teams from Italy, France and beyond.
The global competition, which draws some of the world’s best pizza makers, awarded the Conway-based eatery for its expertly crafted Roman-style focaccia dough, putting this South Carolina pizza destination on the map.
Ludovici-DeBrigida also competed in the margherita, Roman and pala metro pizza categories, with this win in the focaccia category coming about a year after opening their doors in Oct. 2024.
Ludovici-DeBrigida honed his craft at the Scuola Italiana Pizzaioli, translated as the Italian Pizza Maker School.
A big part of what makes Anto’s dough special is invisible to the average customer. Suspended above the back kitchen door is a piece of high-tech equipment that looks like it belongs in a science lab: a NY WaterMaker filtration system.
This system alters South Carolina water to mimic the properties of New York water. NY WaterMaker customizes each unit by testing local water samples and adjusting for mineral content, helping Ludovici-DeBrigida achieve the crisp, chewy dough texture that New York pizza is famed for.
On the menu, folks will find thin and crispy New York-style pies and Roman-style squares that are light, airy and crisp squares using imported Italian flour. They also offer sandwiches, salads and fried dough sweets.
The Pizza World Cup states it is a prestigious culinary competition providing chefs with a space to celebrate pizza.
Founded 23 years ago by Director Mario Folliero and Maestro Alfredo Folliero, the event celebrates the global diversity of pizza-making, inviting chefs to present pies rooted in their own culture and creativity.
Entries are judged by a jury of world-renowned chefs and pizza masters, with scoring based on technical skill, taste and cooking technique.
Anto’s is located at 1129 3rd Avenue in Conway. The shop is open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. – or until the dough runs out.
CONWAY, SC (WMBF) - Anto’s Pizza, which has become a staple in Conway, returns home after winning first place in the Pizza World Cup in Rome.The owners brought home first place for their focaccia bread a few weeks ago at the Pizza World Cup in Rome, expressing that it was an experience they will never forget.“It is just one of those things I would have never guessed,” said Anthony Ludovici-Debrigida, owner of Anto’s.Ludovici-Debrigida and his wife flew to Italy to compete in the Pizza World Cup in...
CONWAY, SC (WMBF) - Anto’s Pizza, which has become a staple in Conway, returns home after winning first place in the Pizza World Cup in Rome.
The owners brought home first place for their focaccia bread a few weeks ago at the Pizza World Cup in Rome, expressing that it was an experience they will never forget.
“It is just one of those things I would have never guessed,” said Anthony Ludovici-Debrigida, owner of Anto’s.
Ludovici-Debrigida and his wife flew to Italy to compete in the Pizza World Cup in three different categories with their Roman dough.
Anto’s took home first place with their focaccia bread, beating out teams from France, Japan, Korea, and even Italy.
“It was a cool experience, there were only two Americans that were there competing,” said Ludovici-Debrigida. “It was cool seeing people around the world and how they go about making their stuff.”
While in Rome, the restaurant was closed for a few weeks, but the second the open sign was lit on Monday at 11 a.m., folks lined the sidewalk ready to see what their pizza is all about.
“Anybody that goes over to Italy and wins a prize, I had to come check it out,” said Anthony Parigi, Anto’s Pizza’s first-time customer. “It was stacked up, and I came early at 11:15 a.m. I got mine, so I am out of here.”
Pops and Linda Kennard are frequent customers and said Anthony and his wife are like family.
“We have not had pizza for two weeks so we missed seeing Anto and the wife as well as the rest of his team,” said the Kennards. “It is awesome to be back with them and congratulate them.”
When Anthony returned to the restaurant before opening back up, he was greeted with a sign on the window congratulating them.
He said they did not go to Rome thinking they would win, but they are so glad they did because Conway continues to be on the map.
“It was awesome,” said Ludovici-Debrigida. “We had a nice following before we went. It was cool to see the people excited for us and the City of Conway. It was cool for me to feel like people felt pride and that we were on our there in Rome and getting recognition. There was a couple that came from Charlotte just to try the pizza.”
Since Anto’s reopened after their vacation, Anthony and his staff have run out of pizza dough each day, due to all of the visitors.
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While some travel into Conway just to see the decorations this time of year, some residents think the decorations are going too far. (Credit: Caitlin Richards/WPDE)CONWAY, S.C. (WPDE) — The city goes all out for Halloween, as they’re known as “The City of Halloween” during the month of October.While some travel into Conway just to see the decorations this time of year, some residents think the decorations are going too far.Patricia Sprowls has been living in Conway since 2016 and has been seeing t...
While some travel into Conway just to see the decorations this time of year, some residents think the decorations are going too far. (Credit: Caitlin Richards/WPDE)
CONWAY, S.C. (WPDE) — The city goes all out for Halloween, as they’re known as “The City of Halloween” during the month of October.
While some travel into Conway just to see the decorations this time of year, some residents think the decorations are going too far.
Patricia Sprowls has been living in Conway since 2016 and has been seeing the City of Halloween come to life every October.
Sprowls sent a letter to local and state officials, including the mayor, saying she thinks some of the decorations around the city represent evil.
"I’m a Christian. I’m proud of that," said Sprowls. "I came here knowing it was the Bible Belt. I spent all my childhood summers in Arkansas, so I know all about the belt, but I just feel like the belt is loosening a lot, and I don’t like that."
As the decorations have ramped up over the past few years, so has the number of people heading to Conway.
River City Christmas in downtown Conway has been open for 28 years. ABC15 asked them if they've seen an increase in foot traffic just this month.
"Yes, actually, a lot of out-of-towners are in, and they just come down for a few days just to see the decorations," said River City Christmas worker Christy Jordan.
The decorations are also what drew one tourist from Canada to Conway.
"I just love it. Love the theme, love the atmosphere. It’s great, they said."
The decorations also drew in families from out of state, such as Kentucky.
"We were at the park yesterday, and a lady told us about Conway, and I researched, and I was like Oh, that sounds really neat so we came up for the skeleton adoption," said Emily Mcalister, who's vacationing with her family from Kentucky.
Sprowls said she’s all for cute Halloween decorations for children, but doesn’t support gore and satanic images.
"I just want the people to know that I’m doing this to shine the light toward the good, not the evil, and I’m hoping that people will see that and just think about that, and the mayor, too, that she would just think about what this represents," said Sprowls.
ABC15 reached out to the mayor of Conway to see if she had a response, but has yet to hear back.
A spokesperson for the City of Conway said this about Sprowls' concerns:
“We respect anyone’s belief or right to disagree and not participate. This year we are experiencing record crowds and constant support for the economic benefits for the Halloween decor.”
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