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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

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Home Care In Conway, SC

Home Care Conway, SC

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.

 In-Home Care Conway, SC

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 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.

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TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

Amy R.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Karen C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Gayle S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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-”

Richard H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource in providing services to our patients!”

Said Y.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”

Lacey J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Elizabeth
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TESTIMONIALS

“I love working for this company.”

Stephanie U.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Seema T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

Chris B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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”

Sarah H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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”

deacon B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

dorr118
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Kim P.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Conway, SC?

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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.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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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.

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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.

 Senior Care Conway, SC

Types of Elderly Care in Conway, SC

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal 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:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Conway, SC
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

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:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Conway, SC
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

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:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Conway, SC
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

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 Crooked Oak Tavern or visit Graham Family Bell Tower, 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.

 In-Home Care Conway, SC

Benefits of Home Care in Conway, SC

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:

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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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

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.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

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.

 Elderly Care Conway, SC

Affordable 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:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your SC's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Conway, SC

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

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.

Assisted Living Referral Services

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.


Respite Care Conway, SC

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:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Conway, SC

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:

  • Brookdale Conway
  • Anderson Oaks Assisted Living
  • Carolina Gardens at Conway
  • Senior Friendship In Home Care
  • Kingston Nursing Center
  • Lakeside Crossing
Home Care Conway, SC

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.

 In-Home Care Conway, SC

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

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

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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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.

 Elderly Care Conway, SC

Latest News in Conway, SC

Several new restaurants are opening in Conway. Here’s how downtown became a place to eat

Anthony Ludovici-DeBrigida knew he wanted to open his own pizzeria. His family had run one, and he’d been in the business for years.Ludovici-DeBrigida contacted a real estate professional to help him and his wife find a location in the Myrtle Beach area, and the realtor found a spot in downtown Conway. The location previously housed the Pickled Cucumber restaurant that opened in 2018. However, Ludovici-DeBrigida said the owners wanted to retire,...

Anthony Ludovici-DeBrigida knew he wanted to open his own pizzeria. His family had run one, and he’d been in the business for years.

Ludovici-DeBrigida contacted a real estate professional to help him and his wife find a location in the Myrtle Beach area, and the realtor found a spot in downtown Conway. The location previously housed the Pickled Cucumber restaurant that opened in 2018. However, Ludovici-DeBrigida said the owners wanted to retire, and the restaurant closed in late June 2024.

At 1129 3rd Ave, the location is in the heart of downtown Conway, and Ludovici-DeBrigida opened Anto’s Pizza Romana & Italian Market in October 2024.

“I just kind of fell in love with the location,” he added.

Ludovici-DeBrigida wasn’t the only one who became infatuated with Conway. Several new restaurants of all varieties have opened in the area recently.

In addition to Anto’s opening in October 2024, the healthy foods restaurant Bowled also opened a second location in Conway. The self-serve beer restaurant Palmetto Taps began serving drinks in downtown Conway in August 2024. The owners of River City Cafe plan to start a new restaurant in Conway, and the Myrtle Beach-based wing place Kluck It announced plans to expand into Conway.

The prevalence of restaurants in Conway represents a change from how the area looked, particularly in the downtown area. Hillary Howard is the executive director of the Conway Downtown Alliance, which tries to generate economic activity in downtown areas. Howard said that when she started in 2009, downtown had 50 empty storefronts, and the downtown alliance had to create illusion-like activities to bring life to the area.

“We did a whole campaign where we put posters of residents in all the empty storefronts to at least try to bring some activation to those storefronts,” Howard said.

At the time, Conway was more focused on bringing in tourists, which Howard said didn’t serve the area. Locals can visit daily, whereas tourists usually visit for a couple of hours one day out of their vacation. Howard said that 2017 the strategy change was more focused on locals.

Howard said three things helped bring Conway residents downtown to eat. Hurricane Florence in 2018 spurred locals to hurt eateries impacted by the storm. Construction on the Main Street Bridge in 2019 deterred locals from traveling past the Intracoastal Waterway to eat and instead dine in Conway.

Then, during the coronavirus pandemic, restaurants transitioned to curbside pick-up, and Howell said these things helped spur Conway’s burgeoning reputation as a place to eat. Now, more than 20 restaurants in the downtown area draw in patrons.

“Coming out of the pandemic, the restaurants have just not slowed down at all,” She added.

Howell claimed that the number of people dining in Conway has nearly doubled since 2021. Part of this new profile also includes events. The City of Conway hosts events year-round, with peak season during the holidays.

The goal is to have people attend an event downtown, then walk around the city and eat in one of the restaurants. This is partially achieved by limiting the number of food trucks and similar vendors who would take competition away from area restaurants.

“A lot of folks don’t realize that our entire core downtown fits in the same footprint of a Walmart,” Howard added. “If you’re willing to park at Walmart, I walk to the back and get your milk; you’re not walking any further than you are in downtown.”

The restaurants also help local businesses by drawing people to dine and then perusing downtown shops. Russell Fowler co-owns The Haberdashery Gentlemen’s Clothiers, Her Dashery and Black Water Market in Conway.

Fowler is a Conway native who’s been in operation for 36 years and said the downtown’s rebranding as a dining destination for locals helped invigorate the area after shopping malls and other large retail outlets drew businesses and locals away.

He added that locals visit restaurants before walking to one of the storefronts afterward to shop.

“There’s a lot of synergy in Conway because even though there are a lot of different types of food, we’re all kind of on the same page as far as the clientele that we’re reaching out for,” Fowler added. “Four or five friends will come over here and spend the day in Conway, shopping, eating, and just enjoying the ambiance of the downtown. That’s just the type of person that we gear to.”

And more restaurants could open in Conway to draw more diners in. Howell said that the area could use a seafood restaurant. She added a small plate, and a bourbon restaurant and steakhouse might also be nearby.

Howell added that the area’s restaurant industry will continue to expand as long as Conway’s gets bigger.

“Right now, population, growth, I mean, it’s through the roof,” Howell said. “Until we see that plateau, we’re still going to see the introduction of restaurants that we all really would like.”

The Sun News

Ben Morse is the Retail and Leisure Reporter for The Sun News. Morse covers local business and Coastal Carolina University football and was awarded third place in the 2023 South Carolina Press Association News Contest for sports beat reporting and second place for sports video in the all-daily division. Morse previously worked for The Island Packet, covering local government. Morse graduated from American University in 2023 with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism and economics and is originally from Prospect, Kentucky.

116 more homes approved for Conway area

Horry County Council gave third and final approval for a zoning change which will allow 116 residential units on 47 acres off Cates Bay Highway near Conway.The land, on Spring Beauty Drive, is currently zoned rural forest agriculture and will be rezoned to multi-residential one. Council approved a rezoning request on third reading for the parcel at the Tuesday, Nov. 12 council meeting.Council met and approved the rezoning request, which was listed on the consent agenda, with no discussion despite the project being voted down 6-...

Horry County Council gave third and final approval for a zoning change which will allow 116 residential units on 47 acres off Cates Bay Highway near Conway.

The land, on Spring Beauty Drive, is currently zoned rural forest agriculture and will be rezoned to multi-residential one. Council approved a rezoning request on third reading for the parcel at the Tuesday, Nov. 12 council meeting.

Council met and approved the rezoning request, which was listed on the consent agenda, with no discussion despite the project being voted down 6-1 by the county’s planning commission.

Al Allen, council member representing District 11 where the project is planned, said he approved the project because the development agreement would improve stormwater drainage in the area and that staff recommended the project.

“Staff approved it. The planning commission disapproved it because our planning commission member was not there that night to represent it fully, and so all standards have been met,” Allen said. “It is going to actually improve and help the drainage in that area, which was the biggest concern.”

Unrelated to that particular project but related to growth in the county as a whole, resident Stefanie Chiapetta spoke on behalf of Horry County Residents for Responsible Building at the public comment portion of the council meeting. The organization has been collecting signatures (947 so far in person and online) for a petition asking for a pause in development in the county.

“Where once stood a family-friendly area replete with small town charm, we now face overdevelopment. Iconic landmarks, wetlands and wooded tracts that once painted the character of our county are being demolished and destroyed for more urban sprawl that the county cannot sustain,” Chiapetta said. “The construction boom in Horry County is straining our resources to the limit.”

The “sustainable development standard” requirements listed in the ordinance for the Cates Bay development include a 100% increase in the required active recreational space such as yards and sidewalks, and three “pocket parks” to be built on separate lots in the housing community to add green space. The project would be 2.47 dwelling units per acre, a rezoning review sheet describes. The minimum lot size is 10,000 square feet. The county’s comprehensive plan had a future land use designation of rural for that location, but council also approved a change of the land use designation to “rural communities” at Tuesday’s meeting.

At the planning commission meeting where the project was voted against, residents brought up concerns about flooding, density and traffic. Paved roads and roofs of homes increase the amount of “impervious surfaces” which exacerbates flooding issues. According to the rezoning review sheet, the project’s traffic impact is expected to cause 928 “projected daily trips.”

Schools are already full in the area, according to the rezoning review, with Whittemore Park Middle School at 107% capacity and Pee Dee Elementary School at 111% capacity.

The applicant for the rezoning is “Diamond Shores,” and the land has been owned by the same individual since 2006, land records show.

Other news

The surcharge fee that gambling vessels must pay per passenger was increased by Horry County Council. Big M Casino passengers will now pay a $15 per passenger surcharge starting in April 2025, which will increase to $18 in 2030. The current surcharge is $10 per passenger.

Horry County Council on Aging may soon have a new location. County Council approved on second reading an ordinance which would lease the site of the former Wampee Fire Station to the nonprofit. The lease terms are yet to be negotiated, and the ordinance is not fully approved until it goes through three readings, with the third reading scheduled for Dec. 10.

Tommy Cardinal is the managing editor of MyHorryNews. Reach him at 843-488-7244 or t[email protected]. Follow him on X @BySTCardinal.

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