‘Bennettsville, please don’t forget about us!’

BENNETTSVILLE — When it comes to the construction project scheduled for the bridge on Cheraw Street, Dairy Dream owner Daniel Bakogiannis says, “Everything is in God’s hand, we are going to stay open and just roll with the changes.”

Fellow business owner and next-door retail neighbor, Lora Biron, owner of Brew and Bake, agrees. Echoing similar sentiments, she said, “We know the bridge needs to be repaired, honestly it’s scary to drive over, but we also want to make sure people don’t forget we are still here and open for business during and after construction.”

The plan to repair the bridge on Cheraw Street has been in the works for two years.

According to the South Carolina Department of Transportation [SCDOT], the project will replace the current structurally unsound bridge along SC 9 Business, or Cheraw Street, over Crooked Creek in Bennettsville. The project aims to install a new bridge able to accommodate four 12-foot travel lanes, curb and gutters on approaches, and a five-foot sidewalk on both sides.

Back in May, the city of Bennettsville began removing the utilities that run through the bridge, like gas, water, and electricity lines. Construction work on the bridge, already behind schedule, is anticipated to start in earnest by the end of July. This is welcome news for local businesses like Dairy Dream and Brew and Bake who rely on summer beach traffic to drive sales. Construction work on the bridge is expected to take months to a year to complete with a detour in place that will effectively cutoff access to Cheraw Street by rerouting drivers to West Main Street via Cottingham Boulevard.

“Something Like two million cars drive over the bridge with beach traffic factored in. That is how many cars are driving right by our businesses now that won’t be during construction,” Biron points out.

While local business owners are aware of the serious reasons for the repair work needed on the bridge, there is, understandably, still concern and anxiety regarding sales. For this reason, Biron and Bakogiannis are spending a lot of time talking strategy these days.

One endeavor already undertaken, Biron and Bakogiannis worked together, brainstorming a simple handheld postcard letting locals know how they can maneuver around the expected detour to still reach the businesses affected.

Business owners are hoping their community will stick with them.

“I have been in business five years here now,” says Biron. “I have seen many businesses open and close over the years. I can tell you Brew and Bake plans to stick around and stay open.”

Biron says she is considering adjustments to her hours and is excited to announce a new addition soon to be coming to Brew and Bake: ice cream!

In addition to the sweet treat, Biron and Bakogiannis are thinking outside the box— possibly welcoming food trucks or local bands.

“Small businesses are built by their customers, so we really want to come up with ways to bring the community together while construction is underway,” Biron said, adding, “Bennettsville needs its small businesses and we need Bennettsville.”

While he shares in the concern, Bakogiannis says he knows the construction project is needed.

“The bridge is unsafe and has needed repairs done for decades now. It’s a little frustrating to not have a clear timeline for the project with construction delays, but the SCDOT employees do a great job doing a tough job,” Bakogiannis said, pointing out crews working on the bridge will be spending hours toiling away in the summer heat.

A staple in Marlboro County, Bakogiannis’s father purchased the Dairy Dream in April 1982. He says that even before the family’s ownership, the Dairy Dream was around since at least the 1960s.

Two established businesses, and many others, will be affected by the planned project; can their owners count on you, Bennettsville?