GASTON, S.C. — If you drive through the town of Gaston, chances are, you'll miss the local spots. That's because there are only a few of them, and most are known through word of mouth.
There are a few chain restaurants, and even fewer local restaurants. Residents tell News 19 in the future, they're hoping for more options.
They said they would like to see more businesses coming to the area, like the new Hurricane Car Wash and the Waffle House that's on its way. But they also want to retain the small town feel.
"It's kind of the place that you're not going to find them by going on a search engine. You're just going to kind of bump into them over time, maybe hear from somebody else that something exists, so there's a few places around here, but there's not as many as I would like. I would love to see more people opening up their own restaurants and stuff in the area," Michele Nichols, Gaston resident said.
Nichols has lived here about two years. She's moved a lot within the state and explains it's all about measured growth so the chains don't overpower local places.
"That would be a real boost to the economy here in Gaston," Chuck Duvall, Red Bank resident said.
Duvall works in Gaston and lives in Red Bank. He comes to the Country Café about three to four times a week, but adds he'd like to have more restaurants to choose from for lunch.
"We could use more, as a matter of fact, we're getting more in the area," Duvall said.
Lexington County council member Scott Whetstone, who represents this district, tells News 19 there's more in the works for Gaston, but still in beginning conversations, so he can't reveal yet.
"We're also looking at all the new zoning and everything that we're doing on the southern end of the county, as we want to keep kind of the Mayberry feel, but we know change is inevitable, but we just don't want to grow too quick overnight," Whetstone said.
The next town council meeting is set for Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 7 p.m.