Main Street Manning remains very much open for business, even as crews work to replace sewer lines along Brooks and Boyce Streets.
City officials began the latest phase of construction Oct. 7, closing Boyce Street from Mill Street to Church Street for several weeks while the city’s century-old system is replaced. The work temporarily limits vehicle access, but sidewalks and storefronts are still open – and local leaders are encouraging residents to keep shopping, dining, and visiting downtown.
Main Street Manning Director Carrie Trebil said the organization’s message is simple: don’t let the construction keep you away.
“Our local businesses are the heart of our community, and they need our continued support during this process,” Trebil said. “Please enjoy the beautiful fall weather and take a walk through downtown Manning.”
Trebil said most businesses have remained open, with only one temporarily closing by choice. She noted that the annual Christmas Open House, a longtime business-organized event, will still be held Nov. 2, with a second one likely in December. The city’s Christmas parade is also still scheduled for Nov. 30.
The Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Manning have been working together to spread the word and help customers navigate access and parking. Chamber Interim Director Caroline Buyck and Director of Tourism Sadie Serio said they’ve been visiting shops personally to share updates and encourage foot traffic.
“We’ve been sharing which businesses have back or side entrances open and showing visitors where to park safely,” Serio said. “For some of our older shoppers, we’ve helped arrange access through nearby lots.”
Buyck said she and Serio even led a group from the South Carolina Welcome Centers through downtown last week, encouraging them to spend money with local merchants. “We walked them personally to each business and said, ‘They are struggling – please come in here and spend money,’” Buyck said. “That’s what being part of the Chamber is all about.”
Both emphasized the importance of safety. “Please park in a designated spot and don’t speed past the barriers,” Buyck added. “We want everyone to keep themselves safe while still supporting our shops and restaurants.”
Among those weathering the disruption is Lucy Casselman, owner of Lucy’s Traditional Southern Bakehouse, who said business has slowed but her loyal customers have remained supportive.
“People think we’re closed,” Casselman said. “They’re confused about where to park or how to get here. But we’re still open. Brooks Street is open, and there’s parking nearby. The city administrator has been great about communicating and checking on us.”
Casselman said she’s adjusted her hours slightly but continues to bake daily and even delivers to customers’ cars when needed. “Our customers have been so kind. The ones who come in know it’s been slow, so they make a point to support us,” she said.
Around the corner, Rick Richardson, owner of SubStation II, said he’s seen some slowdown as well, though long-time customers know how to find him. “It gets frustrating at times, but we’ve been here a long time,” he said. “People know where I am. If they want to come down and get through all the barricades, they can.”
Richardson added that he doesn’t usually mind when customers from neighboring shops use his parking lot for a quick stop, but he asks that spaces be left open for his own customers during the busy lunch rush between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
At Brunson’s Pharmacy, owner Jamie Mathis said regular customers have kept coming but new walk-in business has dropped. “We’ve gotten several phone calls from people asking if we’re open,” Mathis said. “We are. There’s parking behind the store, and we’re still doing deliveries.”
Mathis added that while he understands the necessity of the project, he hopes to see more progress soon. “If you’re going to shut down a road, have enough people working to get it done faster,” he said. “I’ve got more people behind my counter than they have on the street some days.”
Not all businesses have seen a downturn. Lauren Wilkins, owner of East Boyce Salon, said her customers haven’t been deterred. “We have our own adjacent parking lot, so it really hasn’t affected us much,” she said. “You might have to walk a little farther, but we’re still easy to get to.”
Despite the dust and detours, downtown leaders remain optimistic. Trebil said the construction is a temporary inconvenience for long-term improvement and a reminder of how strong the community can be when it works together.
