SWANSEA, S.C. — Within the last month or so, the rural town of Swansea has seen a few new businesses open up shop in and around the area.
"I want to be the community store. I want to fill the need of where we lack," said Michael Bishop, owner of Bishop's at the Mill.
This new one-stop shop in Swansea is just one of three new businesses in town.
The owners of Bishop's at the Mill, Michael Bishop and Holly Randolph, said places to bring community together is something Swansea has been lacking, and they're hoping to change that.
"It isn't government that makes communities great, it's people. And so I just put my money where my mouth was when I saw this open and said this is what fixes a run down town, is when people start putting their money in and investing in their own community," Bishop said.
Beyond selling goods in the store, they started pool tournaments on Saturdays, hosted a canning event and plan on having a fall festival and dance night.
The mayor of Swansea said she's excited to see more options for residents.
"I'm delighted for the citizens. People come in and they ask well where can we go to eat," Viola McDaniel said.
Another new spot is a Mexican restaurant and store along Savannah Highway. It's called Tienda y Taqueria El Rinconcito.
"We've seen a lot of latin people here and I think it was the best time to put in something like this," Ale Mendoza, manager said.
She and her husband live in Gaston but she said there was a great need for something like this in Swansea.
The last business, Sea Swan Cafe and Bistro was not open Sunday, but the business now sits at West Second Street and South Monmouth Avenue.
"Seeing this business thrive and grow might inspire other people in the community to invest, because activity and competition is great for a town," Randolph said.
