Retail & Restaurants

Shop 'til You Dine
Florence is regional destination for retail stores and dining establishments

As the area’s only enclosed mall, Magnolia Mall draws shoppers from afar.

Long before the days of interstates, when railroads first crossed northeastern South Carolina, Florence became a hub for transportation. Today, at the crossroads of key east-west and north-south roadways, the city is a regional center for shopping and dining.

“As a result of its location at the midway point between New York and Miami at the intersection of two major highways, Interstates 95 and 20, Florence has been the favored stopover for interstate travelers,” says Holly Young, director of the Florence Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The city holds a central position between Columbia, Myrtle Beach, Charleston and Charlotte.”

In addition, residents from neighboring counties come to Florence to patronize stores and local restaurants, allowing the city’s retail base to maintain a rapid growth rate, Young says.

In 2006, Florence’s 29501 ZIP code ranked third in gross retail sales in South Carolina.

Many New Stores, Restaurants

Magnolia Mall, Florence’s only enclosed mall, located at the junction of I-95 and I-20, has more than 70 retailers and seven food vendors in its 625,685 square feet of space. Major additions in 2007 included Dick’s Sporting Goods and Barnes & Noble, says Mackenzie Webb, the mall’s marketing director.

“We are almost 100 percent leased,” she says, adding that the variety of stores and the mall’s location draw a steady stream of shoppers.

“We definitely get a lot of tourists passing through,” Webb says. “We’re also located right across the street from the Florence Civic Center, so that’s a good marriage between the two of us.”

Belk, JC Penney, Sears and Best Buy anchor Magnolia Mall, which opened in 1979. The addition of Best Buy in 2002 marked the start of a revitalization program, she says.

Magnolia Mall is owned by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust, which also owns The Commons at Magnolia, adjacent to the mall. The Commons features stores such as Goody’s, Target, Bed Bath & Beyond and – as of July 2007 – David’s Bridal.

PREIT also developed The Plaza at Magnolia, with tenants including Home Depot, Kohl’s, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse and Chili’s.

Florence Mall, including TJ Maxx, Stein Mart, Books-A-Million and Starbucks, also has been revitalized, according to Jessica Griggs, communications and membership relations manager for the Florence County Economic Development Partnership.

Coupons and Touch Screens

It’s a win-win situation for the community, says the Florence Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Young. The numerous stores, dining options and hotels encourage conference planners to schedule events at the civic center. Convention attendees in turn are provided with discount coupons and information about what the area has to offer.

In addition, the CVB is launching an interactive marketing venture, Young says. Several restaurants will offer intranet touch screens to provide customers with information about the Florence area’s attractions, activities, real estate, shopping and accommodations.

Story by Anne Gillem
Photo by Ian Curcio

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