A public screening of the documentary “Our Vanishing Americana: A South Carolina Portrait,” capturing the stories of various general and grocery stores, barber shops, and more, will be held downtown at The Skye in Bennettsville at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 4.

The documentary follows Mike Lassiter on his journey across South Carolina, capturing the stories of historic, often family-run businesses that line main streets from the coast to the upstate.

To give viewers a sneak peek and the chance to learn more about these treasured landmarks, Lassiter and South Carolina ETV (SCETV) are hosting the pre-screening of the documentary before its Aug. 11 premiere on SCETV at 9 p.m.

Five pre-screenings of the documentary were held in various locations throughout the state at or near locations featured in the program.

For “Our Vanishing Americana: A South Carolina Portrait,” Lassiter visited general and grocery stores, pharmacies with ice cream fountains, classic old movie houses, barber shops, and landmark restaurants, telling about their history and the people that keep their memory alive.

Lassiter traveled across South Carolina, looking for the lifeblood of small towns, community icons and historic businesses ― the beginnings of commerce, livelihoods and family enterprises. At first, old storefronts and signage captured his imagination, but he soon became enamored with the people inside the buildings and their stories.

In Marlboro County, Lassiter filmed Breeden’s Quality Meats in October of 2021.

Cindy Stone, who co-owns the store with her husband Cam, said they met Lassiter 12 years ago after he had completed the “Our Vanishing Americana: A North Carolina Portrait” book. At the time, he was thinking about doing one for South Carolina.

Stone said they filmed all day and he made them feel at ease.

“We were blessed to be a part of it and to be noticed,” she said. “Sometimes you wonder if people see what you’re doing and see what your passion is. We love what we do.”

Breeden’s Quality Meats is almost 97 years old. Stone said they tried to change with the times without changing the ambiance and the history of the business.

“I love when people walk in and go, ‘I remember we had a store like this in our little town,’” she said. “Little stores like Breeden’s just don’t exist anymore.”

Copies of the book, “Our Vanishing Americana: A South Carolina Portrait,” are available to purchase at Breeden’s Quality Meats. The cost is $44.95 for the hardbound book.

Stone liked the fact that Lassiter visited every county in the state.

“When you look at it, you will see that it’s not a lot of words,” she said. “It is a lot of pictures.”

She pointed out that the table of contents is the general store, the hardware store, the filling station, the barber shop, the grocery store, and the theater.

“These were mainstays, as we would say back in the day. This is how people lived. They didn’t go to a big box store. They didn’t go to a mall. Those places didn’t exist. They were mom-and-pop shops. They were locally owned theaters. They were barbershops with a 70-year-old man cutting your hair. I think people miss those days.”

Stone added people want a connection with those they are doing business with.

“They want people to call them by name when they walk into a place and I think that’s what Breeden’s is about customer service and hometown life,” she said.

Refreshments will be provided at the event.