Low country to up country - Cheraw?? (Columbia, Charleston: hotels, house)

[ctgal]

We've owned beach community property in the Charleston area for 15 years. Recently moved here full time from CT. Love it, but are looking for a place upstate where we can have a home to get away from the lowcountry. Perhaps open a B&B. Looking for an area with a historic district, but with something happening for ourselves and to attract visitors. We've been to Cheraw which has a great historic area and business area ready to expand. Just nothing going on. We found a great house, but before we think about moving there, need some information on what's actually happening in that area. Talked to some residents and found the biggest event in town was the opening of the Super Walmart. We asked some teenagers what they do for fun and they replied that they go to Walmart. There has to be more than that!! Also, any comments on the religious climate of the town? Went to a restaurant for lunch and there were bibles at each table. We're Unitarians!!

We really like Cheraw, but are so unsure. Can anyone help?

[waccamatt]

Why don't you check out Camden? It is an historic town, but it would have a more sophisticated climate than Cheraw as there are a lot of people from all over that visit Camden due to the horse culture there. You would also be close to Columbia, which has a good-sized Unitarian population (as southern cities go).

[ctgal]

Good idea!! I'll check it out. I wonder if Cheraw will be able to attract the businesses they want and develop a thriving city center. I'm not sure if business is slow because of the overall economy or if it's a function of location. Do you think it has a future?

[creekgirl4life]

You should talk with Sarah Spruill at the Cheraw Chamber of Commerce as she is very knowledgeable about the area and also works on the South Carolina Cotton Trail which works to develop Heritage Tourisim in the region. I am not sure about existing B&B's in Cheraw, however the Breeden Inn in Bennettsville does a very brisk business and has for many years. The Cheraw area has grown over the last few years and it is my understanding there is a retirement community planned in the area.

[Tommy1981]

You might want to check around to see if there are other B&B's in the area. I stayed at a B&B in the Boone, NC area, and used bedandbreakfast.com to search for it. There were several in the area that I considered. You might want to check that site to see what kind of competition you'd have.

I'd say 5 or more B&B's in a small town is probably too much competition, but if they're aren't any around then its probably not much of a draw for the B&B type tourist. One or two others in the area might be a good sign that there is business for B&B, but that the area is not overly saturated.

By the way, I highly recommend getting involved with sites like Bedandbreakfast.com, and getting a good website set up for your B&B. More folks are searching the web for these kind of rooms, as an alternative to hotels. If you're not on the web, or not listed with major sites like bedandbreakfast.com then you're missing out on a large sector of potential business.

[aggienanoo]

Cheraw may be growing but as far as things to do now there is nothing. I don't know what it would take to attract businesses and visitors into the area. Chesterfield county is not very keen on becoming "expanded". I should know I was raised there, for 28 years. My husband and I are both from there and we now live outside of Columbia. The opportunities for our children to get involved in activities are so much greated. In Chesterfield Co the only thing you have no is the super walmart and drugs. I love my home town and would be thankful for anyone who could supply a better resume for it. We do live close to Camden now but there are other small town in this area that would give a B&B good business for several reasons; the horse track, the capital, and Lake Wateree. Who wouldn't love a country vacation on the lake.

[jlrich]

Originally Posted by ctgal

I wonder if Cheraw will be able to attract the businesses they want and develop a thriving city center. I'm not sure if business is slow because of the overall economy or if it's a function of location. Do you think it has a future?

No and No. Cheraw's economic history has been mainly from textile factories and most of them are gone which is typical of most southern towns. It will take a lot for these towns to attract other types of business and thrive again.

[Skyliner]

I would recommend places along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which already serve as a healthy location for several B&Bs. A couple of nice nearby towns worth checking out include Landrum and Tryon. Also, if you are willing to locate somewhere a little "off the beaten path," yet in a charming historic small town setting that is fairly well known, I highly recommend Abbeville.

[PALMETTOFLO]

Originally Posted by ctgal

We've owned beach community property in the Charleston area for 15 years. Recently moved here full time from CT. Love it, but are looking for a place upstate where we can have a home to get away from the lowcountry. Perhaps open a B&B. Looking for an area with a historic district, but with something happening for ourselves and to attract visitors. We've been to Cheraw which has a great historic area and business area ready to expand. Just nothing going on. We found a great house, but before we think about moving there, need some information on what's actually happening in that area. Talked to some residents and found the biggest event in town was the opening of the Super Walmart. We asked some teenagers what they do for fun and they replied that they go to Walmart. There has to be more than that!! Also, any comments on the religious climate of the town? Went to a restaurant for lunch and there were bibles at each table. We're Unitarians!!

We really like Cheraw, but are so unsure. Can anyone help?

Please note that Cheraw SC has a relatively new Jazz festival that runs for about a week, bringing musicians from many places, and a Spring festival that brings music, history, arts, childrens activities to the community, also lasting about a week. Yes it offers less than larger towns and cities but the arts are alive here, though maybe not as abundant as one would prefer. If superwallmart is considered a main activity it is for lack of interest, as Cheraw has a struggling little theatre group, a weekly newspaper, a library (very nice and friendly service, though small by comparison), a community center offering a variety of activities continuously (inclucing arts, childrens, and exercise programs), Cheraw state park, active senior citizens and church groups, casual restaurants with reasonable prices and very friendly service. We have visited many, many of the restaurants in and around town, we haven't found the one you experienced, although church and family are a major influence in Cheraw. If small town benefits are what you seek, it would pay you to investigate Cheraw, SC.

[faithchick]

Originally Posted by PALMETTOFLO

Please note that Cheraw SC has a relatively new Jazz festival that runs for about a week, bringing musicians from many places, and a Spring festival that brings music, history, arts, childrens activities to the community, also lasting about a week. Yes it offers less than larger towns and cities but the arts are alive here, though maybe not as abundant as one would prefer. If superwallmart is considered a main activity it is for lack of interest, as Cheraw has a struggling little theatre group, a weekly newspaper, a library (very nice and friendly service, though small by comparison), a community center offering a variety of activities continuously (inclucing arts, childrens, and exercise programs), Cheraw state park, active senior citizens and church groups, casual restaurants with reasonable prices and very friendly service. We have visited many, many of the restaurants in and around town, we haven't found the one you experienced, although church and family are a major influence in Cheraw. If small town benefits are what you seek, it would pay you to investigate Cheraw, SC.

I don't mean to be rude - but what Cheraw do you live in?? This place is the aweful and as for Super Wal-Mart - SUPER WALMART CLOSES AT 11PM!!! there is no Super about this Walmart - their items, staff, customer service or anything about this God awful, narrow-minded, everyone knows everyone and grew up with everyone else town! My husband, me and my two boys now 5 & 10 moved here 4 1/2 yrs ago and we are absolutely miserabl!My son has had an awful time in school with the locals and as for anything to do??? HA there is less than nothing! Oh ya I forgot - I can get dressed and go to Wal-Mart - Not welcoming to new comers outsiders or "implants" and have fun trying to open a business when you are not from here TRIED IT TWICE! Now I am ready to be out of here...

Maybe I should be more sugar coating after all I do have to sell this house so I can leave!!!!