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 Fort Mill Downtown Historic District 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 Fort Mill, 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.
“I am a current client of this provider The caregiver is a great communicator with us.”
“I am a current client of this provider I like that come in and do what”
“I am a current client of this provider The first person was kind of young, so”
“I am a current client of this provider The caregiver as a person and who she”
“Phil Davidson and his staff provides the best service around in the York County area...Very”
“Looking for a loving and caring place for a parent, grandparent or any loved one?”
“I am a current client of this provider I have enjoyed working with Always Best. They”
“Always willing to help”
“I have worked for many agencies as a CNA. Always Best Care of Rock Hill,”
“They gave my mother the most wonderful, loving care. They were very accommodating when we”
“New Employee & I’m loving it already”
“I am a current client of this provider I could probably say that I was a”
“Needed care for my mother with dementia, and father with medical issues. The team at”
“Always willing to help”
“I am a current client of this provider We're using Always Best Care for my parents.”
“Excellent care was given to my mother. Thank you for being there when we needed”
“I have had the best support from a caring and supporting staff over the past”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care has been providing care givers”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care service was very helpful in”
“I can honestly say that Always Best Care in Rock Hill did a very good”
“Phil, We so love Sara and are very appreciative for the way you run your”
“Dear Phil, "We would like to thank you and your staff for providing such wonderful”
“Phil, We so love Sara and are very appreciative for the way you run your”
“Dear Phil, Thank you and your team for providing the great help and assistance during”
“I am a current client of this provider The caregiver is a great communicator with us. I live out of state and I have a brother who lives near the client, but he has a full-time job. It really takes a village to take care of the clietn now. I just feel like this agency is part of that village. They really have his best interest at heart. They give great care, but they're also super easy to work with and you feel important with them. I have recommended the agency to many people. I like the owner, Phil. He is just a really stand-up guy. He is very knowledgeable and he is very empathetic. You don't get the feeling that he is in the business to make money and provide livelihood. He really cares about people and really wants the clients taken care of well. I think he has a lot of expertise and compassion. Everyone that we have dealt with there has been great. I also like the caregiver that we've had, Fawn. She has been with the client for over 15 months. She is just really great with the client. He is in assisted living now but we choose to have her go in still for more companion care for the client. She is just a really sweet person and helps us with keeping up to date with what the client needs. He just loves having her around.”
“I am a current client of this provider I like that come in and do what they got to do. I like that they are really friendly and nice. They do not talk to him in a sharp way, they are really good with him.”
“I am a current client of this provider The first person was kind of young, so I asked them for someone a bit older, and they did that. I would recommend them because they are prompt, and they have good people.”
“I am a current client of this provider The caregiver as a person and who she is has made this so positive. I like the assistant that they have sent to help my brother.”
“Phil Davidson and his staff provides the best service around in the York County area...Very professional and they truly care about their clients...I highly recommend Always Best Care of Rock Hill”
“Looking for a loving and caring place for a parent, grandparent or any loved one? Look no further than Phil and his team at Always Best Care of Rock Hill!”
“I am a current client of this provider I have enjoyed working with Always Best. They are informative and helpful. When I need to schedule care, they are very responsive. Definitely a good choice in companion care.”
“Always willing to help”
“I have worked for many agencies as a CNA. Always Best Care of Rock Hill, SC is by far the best! They treat their clients and caregivers with generosity and compassion. They go "above and beyond" in every area. You can't go wrong with them.”
“They gave my mother the most wonderful, loving care. They were very accommodating when we needed to make changes in the schedule. After dealing with two other agencies I wish I had gone with them from the start. They deserve a 10!”
“New Employee & I’m loving it already”
“I am a current client of this provider I could probably say that I was a past client of this provider, but because I continue to receive words of encouragement and advise from them, I still claim the current client status. Their help with my mother that was provided while she was at home was fantastic. They also have helped guide us through hospital and rehab stays. I would have to give them a 5 star rating and honestly can not think of one thing that went wrong on their part while we used their care The Caregiver was excellent. I wholeheartedly would recommend Always Best Care to anyone that finds themselves needing a caregiver to come along beside them.”
“Needed care for my mother with dementia, and father with medical issues. The team at Always Best Care were very responsive to our needs for 24/7 care for about 8 weeks. They try hard to have the same caregivers come to the house for continuity of care. The family really appreciated Phil's assistance with placing my parents in Assisted Living. His knowledge of the local York County homes was invaluable to placing my parents in a welcoming environment. I would highly recommend Always Best Care to help with senior care!”
“Always willing to help”
“I am a current client of this provider We're using Always Best Care for my parents. They're fantastic. The caregivers are professional, courteous, entertaining, and accommodating. They mainly provide medication management and companionship. I feel like they give personal touches, and there's a certain professionalism to them that other agencies I contacted didn't have.”
“Excellent care was given to my mother. Thank you for being there when we needed you.”
“I have had the best support from a caring and supporting staff over the past year. The AMAZING part is that I live in CA and they're providing these services in Rock Hill. When I have any questions they are quick to get my answer back in a timely manner.”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care has been providing care givers for my 91 year old father for more than 2 years now. I have been happy with their staff. My father is cared for with love and dignity and with their help I've been able to keep him in my home.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care service was very helpful in locating an assisted living facility for my Mother. Very professional and I would use them again.”
“I can honestly say that Always Best Care in Rock Hill did a very good job with providing home assistance with my mother and I am happy to recommend their services to others. The home care assistantswere friendly, patient, and respectful. Above all, I was extremely pleased with the active role the president, Phil Davidson, took in my mother’s care. He was exceptional at balancing professionalism and personal concern as he took a genuine interest in my mother’s well-being, he checked in periodically to see how the home care was going, and he diligently communicated with both family and staff. Phil’s efforts and those of the ABC staff are very much appreciated.”
“Phil, We so love Sara and are very appreciative for the way you run your business. You really stand out in an industry and a time when people just go through the motions. You are a very special man and I pray that you will be very successful in your business.”
“Dear Phil, "We would like to thank you and your staff for providing such wonderful live-in care for our Grandfather from June through October 2013. Our family found ourselves in the most unimaginable situation when our Grandmother was unexpectedly hospitalized in late May and ultimately passed away in June. As you know, she was the sole caregiver for our Grandfather who has severe Alzheimer's disease. We are so very fortunate that we discovered your agency! You were able to promptly place qualified caregivers in his home and this gave our family immediate peace of mind. The level of care and compassion that you and your caregivers demonstrated toward our Grandfather is more than we ever anticipated and we will be forever grateful. You all walked with him through the terrible tragedy of losing his wife of 67 years. You and your staff provided extraordinary physical and emotional care for him through his grief and made getting him back to a "normal" life your top priority upon her death. In addition to the care you all provided my Grandfather, you were so kind to help educate us on the progression of Alzheimer's. You were a wonderful resource to us on what to expect in the next phases of this disease and help us plan for long-term care for him. While we are very sad to have to place him in a memory care-assisted living facility, we made the decision knowing that this will be the best place for him as he ages and his disease worsens. Your guidance and expertise in helping us choose the right facility for him helped make this daunting task bearable. Thank you again for all that you have done for our grandfather and for our family! We will be forever grateful!”
“Phil, We so love Sara and are very appreciative for the way you run your business. You really stand out in an industry and a time when people just go through the motions. You are a very special man and I pray that you will be very successful in your business.”
“Dear Phil, Thank you and your team for providing the great help and assistance during this summer. The care givers that we had were excellent and very professional. Thanks for being so flexible with the scheduling.”
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 Harris Street 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 Epic Chophouse at Kingsley or visit Fort Mill Fort Marker, 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 Fort Mill, 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 Fort Mill, 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 Fort Mill, 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.
Dilworth Neighborhood Grille is coming to Baxter Village in Fort Mill, with a neighborhood restaurant and bar setup mirroring its popular location in Charlotte.“Same menu, same cups, same everything,” said owner and Baxter resident Matt Wohlfarth. “We’ve got something good going on, so why not duplicate it here?”Dilworth Grille at Baxter will move into the former ...
Dilworth Neighborhood Grille is coming to Baxter Village in Fort Mill, with a neighborhood restaurant and bar setup mirroring its popular location in Charlotte.
“Same menu, same cups, same everything,” said owner and Baxter resident Matt Wohlfarth. “We’ve got something good going on, so why not duplicate it here?”
Dilworth Grille at Baxter will move into the former Killingtons and Beef ‘O’ Brady’s spot at 940 Market St. Killingtons, based in Huntersville, closed in December after six years in Baxter. Wohlfarth aims to open Dilworth Grille there by August.
The Charlotte location started two decades ago. It serves craft burgers, tacos, sandwiches and pizza. There’s also a breakfast menu. Options include traditional fare like wraps and salads to a waffle burger, baked spaghetti and crab cake Benedict.
The second location in Fort Mill is a milestone for the restaurant. It isn’t the first time Wohlfarth considered expanding the business, but the time and location finally felt right.
“I feel like every mistake that we could’ve made, we’ve already made,” he said. “So we’ll see.”
He’s eager to see another restaurant opening in Baxter before his, when Jekyll & Hyde Taphouse & Grill moves into 993 Market St., at the former Lucky Duck and Six Pence Pub space. Wohlfarth believes Jekyll & Hyde will offer a good gauge of community interest and support for new dining options.
Apart from location, the one difference between Dilworth’s Charlotte and Fort Mill locations will be size. In Charlotte, 65 employees work in a 20,000-square-foot space that can balloon from a typical service Tuesday to a massive weekend undertaking when sports are in town.
Fort Mill will be about 4,500 square feet and about 45 employees. Wohlfarth expects more consistent traffic, rather than big gameday rushes. He already has a chef, delivery driver and manager for the Baxter site. He’s looking at cooks now. He’d like to have employees hired 20 or 30 days before opening and can use the similar setup in Charlotte for training, so the Baxter site will be ready from the start.
While the COVID pandemic has strained the restaurant industry, it nearly created a second business through to-go and delivery ordering, Wohlfarth said. His Charlotte location is one of the top in the region for mobile ordering and delivery platforms, he said, with more than half of business coming that way. He expects something similar in Fort Mill.
“I feel like we’ll be every bit as big on those platforms,” Wohlfarth said.
For folks who haven’t tried the Charlotte spot, Wohlfarth describes Dilworth as a “catch all for a neighborhood restaurant bar.” He wants a comfortable, inviting spot that sponsors youth sports teams and hosts birthday parties, where parents can come over and unwind while their children attend dance class right across the street.
What could be a long, trafficky drive into Charlotte will be a five-minute walk to the Baxter spot for Wohlfarth. He’s hoping that same convenience will entice neighbors to try out the new location.
And for neighbors wondering, Wohlfarth isn’t expecting to bring his sign game to Baxter. The Charlotte location made news several times after comments on its sign out front about the Carolina Panthers or Charlotte Hornets. Sign comments have roasted the teams during losing stretches.
But area politicians or public figures in Fort Mill won’t get the same treatment in Baxter.
“Wouldn’t that be fun?” Wohlfarth asked. “I don’t think the Baxter people in charge would want that. But maybe a smaller one. An homage to it.”
This story was originally published March 6, 2025 at 3:18 PM.
The Herald
John Marks graduated from Furman University in 2004 and joined the Herald in 2005. He covers community growth, municipalities, transportation and education mainly in York County and Lancaster County. The Fort Mill native earned dozens of South Carolina Press Association awards and multiple McClatchy President’s Awards for news coverage in Fort Mill and Lake Wylie.
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Dave Hipp arrived late to LEGO, but it didn’t take him long to figure out how the business pieces fit together.“My first thought was downtown Fort Mill,” said Hipp, who alongside wife Tara will open a Bricks & Minifigs aftermarket LEGO store on Main Street this spring. “I just loved the thought of being a store downtown.”The same Fort Mill School ...
Dave Hipp arrived late to LEGO, but it didn’t take him long to figure out how the business pieces fit together.
“My first thought was downtown Fort Mill,” said Hipp, who alongside wife Tara will open a Bricks & Minifigs aftermarket LEGO store on Main Street this spring. “I just loved the thought of being a store downtown.”
The same Fort Mill School District that drew his family years ago from Oklahoma still draws families with children. There are growing numbers of adults building LEGO sets, gathering in communities and conventions. There’s also increased foot traffic downtown.
“Being down there during the day, working in the building and everything,” Hipp said, “it’s amazing to see how many people are walking around and how busy Hobo’s is, Amor Artis, different places.”
Hipp’s store at 221 Main St. is one of several spots renovated in recent years by Kuester Commercial. The Center Theatre property at 100 Main St. is another. Charlotte restaurant Phat Burrito signed on there, replacing Center Theatre Pizza & Ice Cream after that restaurant announced its closing in January.
Both Bricks & Minifigs and Phat Burrito aim for May openings. There are ongoing plans to fill the former Moxie Mercantile space that closed in February at 219 Main St., said president and broker-in-charge of Kuester Commercial Shaw Kuester. But the deal isn’t finalized so details haven’t been made public.
There’s also activity on the northern end of Main Street. Developer Growing Main got town approvals in January to prepare the former Kimbrell’s Furniture building at 232 Main St. for new tenants. Submitted plans showed five business suites on two levels. The only named tenant was self-defense training business Treadstone Defensive Tactics.
Online property listings still show the Kimbrell’s building and a warehouse beside it at 102 Tom Hall St. for sale or lease. Growing Main previously approached the town about possibilities there like a restaurant or brewery. Property uses for three suites in the two buildings are listed online as retail commercial.
Hipp, 51, didn’t play with LEGO as a kid. He recalls a small bucket of mismatched pieces his grandmother had. It wasn’t until three years ago he got into the hobby, when Tara — on a Target run and nearly out of ideas for a Christmas present — bought him a Millennium Falcon set from the Star Wars franchise.
“I had never really honestly done a complete set build before, and that was the spark that caused all of this,” Hipp said.
Now he probably has more than 150 Star Wars sets. Tara collects Disney sets, including castles. The couple’s new store in Fort Mill should naturally appeal to kids, Hipp said, but it won’t be solely for them.
“They’re not age-specific,” he said of LEGO. “There are collectors and fanatics that are kids and teenagers, young adults, adults, everybody.”
The Bricks & Minifigs concept started in Utah. It aimed to connect enthusiasts something better than random online meetups. Now there are about 190 stores. Charleston, Clemson, Greenville and Myrtle Beach each have one. North Carolina has six locations, including in Huntersville and Indian Trail.
The Fort Mill site will be an authorized new and used LEGO resale outlet. Customers can buy and trade on-site. Bricks & Minifigs stores carry items like backpacks, cups and even third-party LEGO-compatible items.
“We have new Lego sets,” Hipp said. “We’ll have used Lego sets for resale. Basically anything Lego.”
The 2,500-square-foot store on Main will have a party room to accommodate about 15 guests. Families can stay or have events with a host. The room also can be a classroom for summer camps, robotics lessons, building sessions or small builds. There’s a racetrack and timer for guests who want to build LEGO racecars.
The Hipps moved to Tega Cay years ago, largely for the schools. Their children are now in their 20s and 30s. The Hipps moved to Rock Hill, but still have ties to Fort Mill.
They looked at about 20 locations before settling on the first one they’d seen, in downtown Fort Mill. Dave Hipp envisions future stores in the region, but first he’ll focus on connecting businesses on Main. He’s excited about Phat Burrito, a popular Charlotte spot that serves burritos, tacos, quesadillas and salads. There are established restaurants right beside him, too, like Hobo’s, Improper Pig and Fortes Mill Eatery.
Hipp wants to be part of a continued downtown revitalization. After a soft opening in early May, he’s planning a large grand opening mid-May with LEGO set and birthday party giveaways, games, activities and perhaps unique guests.
“Hopefully we’ll have long, long, long lines with a lot of people,” Hipp said, “that we can give a lot of stuff away.”
This story was originally published March 17, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
The Herald
John Marks graduated from Furman University in 2004 and joined the Herald in 2005. He covers community growth, municipalities, transportation and education mainly in York County and Lancaster County. The Fort Mill native earned dozens of South Carolina Press Association awards and multiple McClatchy President’s Awards for news coverage in Fort Mill and Lake Wylie.
A massive riverfront property in Fort Mill could add more than 600 homes to the town.Florida-based Kolter Group Acquisitions submitted a street name approval request to town planners for a project near Waterside at the Catawba. It’s described as a ...
A massive riverfront property in Fort Mill could add more than 600 homes to the town.
Florida-based Kolter Group Acquisitions submitted a street name approval request to town planners for a project near Waterside at the Catawba. It’s described as a Cresswind neighborhood, Kolter’s senior living community brand with sites in Charlotte and Monroe, North Carolina.
A call to Kolter Group for details on the Fort Mill project weren’t immediately returned.
Plans submitted in Fort Mill show the Cresswind site with new access points off Whites Road and Sparkling Brook Parkway. Both roads end at roundabouts in the Waterside at the Catawba neighborhood between Fort Mill Parkway and the Catawba River. Extension of Whites and Sparkling Brook lead to an 845-acre vacant property owned by Springland, Inc.
About 130 acres on the northeast portion of that site aren’t involved in the Cresswind construction, according to the sketch plan submitted by Kolter Group. Another 49 acres to the north, nearest where Whites and Sparkling Brook end now, are listed as future development.
The rest of the Springland property would be a 10-cul-de-sac layout with streams cutting through it. There’s a nearly 8-acre central amenity area. The plan shows homes coming in five phases, starting in the center, working outward and finishing on the eastern end. The property has about 900 feet of frontage along the Catawba River.
The town planning commission will review the project Tuesday. The commission’s only decision involves approving road names, typically a formality for that group once new subdivisions are approved. The county 911 service already approved the new road names.
The project hasn’t come up for any zoning changes. It’s zoned as a mixed-use, allowing both residential and commercial construction. The town’s future land use map also lists the area as a site for residential development.
The Cresswind project would add to a growing area along Fort Mill Parkway. Waterside at the Catawba opened a decade ago with plans for more than 1,100 homes and townhomes. Elizabeth, just down the parkway, adds more than 1,200 residences.
The Catawba River side of Elizabeth is filling out its construction. Trees started falling in recent weeks on the opposite side of Fort Mill Parkway, on Brickyard Road, for Elizabeth’s second phase. There’s also clearing on the parkway for road widening and a large commercial project, which will add a Harris Teeter shopping center near Catawba Ridge High School.
Kolter also submitted plans for more than 850 homes in a Cresswind community near Sun City in Indian Land, on nearly 870 acres. That 55-and-older, age-restricted community met pushback from neighbors last month as the company seeks zoning changes needed to make it happen.
Pilings are in the ground to support coming flyover bridges. Walls are up and traffic is shifted at Exit 85 in Fort Mill, where Interstate 77 meets S.C. 160. Work crews are a constant presence.So it may surprise drivers that one of the region’s biggest road jobs in decades still won&r...
Pilings are in the ground to support coming flyover bridges. Walls are up and traffic is shifted at Exit 85 in Fort Mill, where Interstate 77 meets S.C. 160. Work crews are a constant presence.
So it may surprise drivers that one of the region’s biggest road jobs in decades still won’t be done until nearly 2028.
The recent construction pace begged the question for area elected officials who met Feb. 28 in Rock Hill for an update on roads. With the new interchange project going up so fast, why won’t it be done sooner?
There’s a down-to-earth answer that has more to do with internet speeds and flushing toilets than flyover ramps. It’s all about utilities.
“The bridge work and the interchange is very fast,” said South Carolina Department of Transportation district administrator Jason Johnston, “primarily because there’s no utilities in the way.”
Johnston oversees roads jobs for seven counties, including York. He outlined the coming steps at Exit 85 last month for those officials and other road experts who sit on the Rock Hill-Fort Mill Area Transportation Study policy committee. They watched a time lapse video of construction thus far.
Tuesday marked one year since groundbreaking for the $160 million project between Baxter and Kingsley. Officials from across York County commended the state transportation department on the visible progress to date.
“If they keep going at the pace of the video, we’ll have this done by the end of the year,” joked York County Councilman Tom Audette, who represents Tega Cay and parts of Fort Mill west of the interstate.
Even at actual speed, the landscape at Exit 85 changes almost daily.
“They’ve moved a lot quicker than I anticipated,” said Fort Mill Mayor Guynn Savage. “(There have been) very few times that I have been through there that they weren’t working with full staff and full steam ahead.”
Still, one pending part of the job awaits.
State law allows public utilities to be placed into public right-of-way areas. So the often-narrow spaces between, beside and beneath roads can include plenty of utilities. They’re often stacked on top of one another to save room.
“It’s not practical to buy parking lots and hotels (for road right-of-way), so you’re working within the narrow footprint you have,” Johnston said.
S.C. 160 will be widened two six lanes as part of the project, from Sutton Road to U.S. 21. That’s a busy corridor not only for traffic, but for public services. Where decades ago road crews might have a Fort Mill Telephone Company line to relocate, Johnston said, now there can be eight or nine communications companies. There’s always water, sewer and gas to consider, too.
“The slower part will be the actual widening from The Peach Stand to Pleasant Road,” Johnston said. “And that’s because each and every place you dig, there’s a utility.”
Among all the utilities, there’s a certain order they have to follow. Which can take time to coordinate as drivers await a finished road. There’s also the danger of construction crews working near utility lines.
Late last month, construction crews nicked a gas line causing emergency repairs and a traffic shift into a single lane. Police, fire, construction and utility crews handled the issue as well as could be expected, Savage said, and the repair was made quickly. But the incident highlighted the challenges with so much construction in the area.
“As we’re looking at area that are laden with utility easements,” Savage said, “this could happen anywhere at any time.”
Switching traffic lanes is the hardest part of bridge work at the interchange, and it’s been done so crews can build center supports for two flyover bridges and a median where a barrier used to be, Johnston said. None of that work involved utilities.
As large as it is, the Exit 85 job isn’t the first major construction project in the area. The transportation department planned for utility work, and they’re confident the work will be completed on time.
Ongoing ramp, retaining wall and smaller road improvements will continue through this time next year, according to transportation department estimates. New ramp construction, a traffic shift on S.C. 160, widening and S.C. 160 bridge construction should run through spring 2027. The timeline shows other work running through the end of that year.
“The only delays would be if one utility has to stack on top of another,” Johnston said. “If one has to bury and then another can bury.”
Crews factored in the significant utility work, and that process started alongside the bridge and ramp work at the interstate. So even if it may seem in coming months that work has slowed, Johnston said, it’s all part of a carefully planned process to coordinate interstate, interchange and road widening efforts.
“At the beginning of the project,” he said, “everybody said go at the same time.”
March 27, 2025 12:05 PM
March 27, 2025 8:00 AM
The Herald
John Marks graduated from Furman University in 2004 and joined the Herald in 2005. He covers community growth, municipalities, transportation and education mainly in York County and Lancaster County. The Fort Mill native earned dozens of South Carolina Press Association awards and multiple McClatchy President’s Awards for news coverage in Fort Mill and Lake Wylie.
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