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Archway Academy Building Better Children
New location opening March 2021!
2049 McCrays Mill Road 803-773-6480 401 Miles Rd, Summerville 843-873-2693
416 S. Wise Drive, Sumter 803-773-4300 239 Old Summerville Rd, Summerville 843-832-8410
www.archway.academy
Serving our community for 36 years! WWW.THEITEM.COM/BESTOF
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Letter from the
publisher
What began as a fun community newspaper contest has evolved into a behemoth. Welcome to the Best of Sumter special Hall of Fame edition, celebrating 20 years of winners in this 21st year of the contest. It started in 2001 as The Item’s Readers’ Choice Awards, with just over 50 categories promoting healthy competition among local businesses. The “Best Grocery Store” category was the top vote-getter in the first year, and with the cutting of print ballots out of the newspaper as the only option for readers, several thousand pieces of crumpled or folded newsprint made it to our office as votes each year. Our staff would then trudge through the pile of votes, correcting spellings and combining well-intentioned but slightly different answers into the ultimate recognition of winners. The contest was fun but arduous. Throughout the years, the contest has continued to grow into what it is today: a 300-plus category, 400,000-plus vote powerhouse of community pride and enthusiastic recognition. The internet, of course, was one of the primary drivers of growth, with daily voting across digital and mobile platforms allowing instantaneous voting options for readers without trips to the post office or buying stacks of newspapers just for the ballot. The Item rebranded the contest as Best of Sumter in 2018, turned the newspaper tab into a glossy magazine and added an annual red carpet winners’ event, which has sold out both years it was held (with COVID-19 forcing it online in 2020). It’s a staple of our community and a favorite for our staff, a way for us to celebrate the dynamic, diverse organizations that make our community whole. This new publication recognizes the past 20 years of the contest and the winners that have joined the community on the journey. Many organizations didn’t slot into the limited categories in the first few years of the contest, and many other businesses have opened in the past two decades. Some categories have come and gone, had names altered and more. Nonetheless, inside this edition, you’ll see the people and businesses that have won in five or more years, listed in increments of five. Much like the early days of counting votes, finding winners year after year was a manual process, but we double checked our lists. Four organizations have won at least one category in all 20 years since Best of Sumter began, and these iconic Sumter organizations are recognized in these pages as well. Additionally, you’ll see many of the nominees of Best of Sumter 2021: local businesses, people and organizations vying to be named Best of Sumter and celebrated throughout the year. Vote daily now until Feb. 28 at www.theitem.com/bestof, or send in your print ballot to The Item’s office at 36 W. Liberty St., and we’ll add your votes to the mix. To the voters, the nominees and the winners, thank you for making Best of Sumter one of the nation’s best local contests. We enjoy celebrating you. Keep up the great work. Best Regards,
Vince Johnson Publisher, The Sumter Item
Publisher Vince Johnson Editor Kayla Green
Sales Karen Cave Devin McDonald Mark Pekuri www.theitem.com
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Copy editing Rhonda Barrick Melanie Smith
@theitem
Photography Micah Green
Layout and ad design Janel Strieter Ryan Galloway
@sumteritem
The Sumter Item 36 W. Liberty St. Sumter, SC 29150 www.theitem.com
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A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM
COVENANT PLACE Vote for us
Voted the Best of Sumter Year After Year! Nominated for 2021 Best Assisted Living Community Vote at https://www.theitem.com/bestof2021/#/gallery?group=372875
Voted the Best of Sumter Year After Year!
• •
Independent Apartment Living Assisted Living
• • •
Memory Care Skilled Nursing Care Outpatient Rehab
r’s
Lifestyle Options:
s in this or u ye f a te
Vo
COVENANT PLACE
2021
2825 Carter Road | Sumter, South Carolina 29150 | 803-469-7007 | www.covenantplace.org Covenant Place is a locally owned, not-for-profit, continuing care community. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
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Contact Us
Thank You
Mary Kolb | NMLS 415199 Mortgage Sales Manager
to all the readers of Sumter ITEM for voting us The Best Mortgage Company SIX Years In A Row!
Office 803.626.0104 Mobile 803.464.4445 Email Mary.Kolb@GatewayLoan.com www.GatewayLoan.com/mary-kolb
Lauren Locklear | NMLS 1130284 Loan Originator Assistant Office 803.626.0118 Email Lauren.Locklear@GatewayLoan.com
When you are looking for smart home loan solutions combined with a local and caring mortgage team, turn to Gateway.
Gateway Mortgage, a division of Gateway First Bank. NMLS 7233. 665 Bultman Dr. | Sumter, SC 29150
Breathe easy with Aire Serv. We care about your home. Indoor Air Quality Specialists • World Class Service
VOTE BEST OF
Air & Heating • Air Purification Best Customer Service
803-720-5759
AireServ.com/Sumter
Facebook.com/AireservSumter
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Cast your vote for... 2021 AUTO & TRANSPORTATION Aftermarket Auto Repair _____________ Auto & Boat Upholstery _____________ Auto Body Shop ____________________ Auto Parts _________________________ Boat Dealership ____________________ Car & Truck Accessories _____________ Car Audio & Electronics _____________ Car Salesperson ____________________ Dealership Service Dept _____________ Limousine Service___________________ Luxury Car Dealership _______________ Motorcycle / Moped Dealership __________________ New Car Dealership _________________ Off Road Dealership ________________ Oil Change ________________________ Rims / Wheels Store _________________ Small Engine Repair _________________ Towing Service _____________________ Used Car Dealership ________________
BUSINESS Adult Day Center ___________________ Air Purification Company ____________ Auction Company___________________ Bail Bond Company _________________ Banquet Facilities ___________________ Barber Shop _______________________ Building Design Company ___________ Car Wash __________________________ Child Care Center___________________ Children’s Fitness ___________________ Commercial Contractor ______________ Commercial Real Estate Company ____________________ Dance Studio_______________________ Day Spa ___________________________ Dry Cleaners _______________________ Employment Agency ________________ Fire Extinguisher Service _____________ Fitness Center / Gym ________________ Floral Company ____________________ WWW.THEITEM.COM/BESTOF
BEST OF SUMTER
Funeral Home ______________________ Golf Course ________________________ Hair Salon _________________________ Health & Beauty ____________________ Health Care Insurance _______________ Heavy Equipment Rental _____________ Home & Auto Insurance _____________ Hotel ______________________________ Internet Service Provider _____________ Irrigation Company _________________ IT Company ________________________ Junk Removal Service _______________ Life Insurance Company _____________ Lumber Company___________________ Manufacturing Plant _________________ Martial Arts ________________________ Massage / Massage Therapist _________ Mobile Device Repair _______________ Monument Company ________________ Nail Salon__________________________ Online-Based Business ______________ Paralegal Firm ______________________ Paving Company ___________________ Pest Control________________________ Pet Boarding _______________________ Pet Grooming ______________________ Pet Hospital ________________________ Pilates / Yoga Studio ________________ Printing & Graphics Company ________ Self Storage Facility _________________ Septic Tanks________________________ Sign Company _____________________ Storage Buildings ___________________ Tanning Salon ______________________ Tattoo Studio_______________________ Transportation Services ______________ Travel Agency ______________________ Tree Service ________________________ Trucking Company __________________ Web Design Company ______________ Window Tinting ____________________
COMMUNITY Art Gallery _________________________ Charity Event _______________________ Church ____________________________ Civic Club__________________________ Community Event ___________________
Elected Official _____________________ EMT ______________________________ Event Entertainment ________________ Event Venue _______________________ Family Entertainment ________________ Firefighter _________________________ Law Enforcement Officer _____________ Library_____________________________ Live Theatre ________________________ Networking Group __________________ Non-Profit Organization _____________ Park _______________________________ Place for a Girls Night Out _____________________ Place for Kids to Have Fun ___________ Place to Take a Visitor _______________ Place to Volunteer __________________ Sports Leagues _____________________ Summer Camp _____________________ Wedding Venue ____________________
EAT & DRINK American __________________________ Asian ______________________________ Bar________________________________ Barbeque __________________________ Breakfast __________________________ Breakfast Buffet_____________________ Brunch ____________________________ Buffet _____________________________ Burger_____________________________ Business Lunch _____________________ Butcher ____________________________ Cake & Desserts ____________________ Catering ___________________________ Chicken ___________________________ Coffee Shop _______________________ Country Cooking ___________________ Deli _______________________________ Family Restaurant ___________________ Fast Food __________________________ French Fries ________________________ Food Truck _________________________ Frozen Yogurt ______________________ Grocery Store ______________________ Happy Hour ________________________ Health Food _______________________ Hot Dog ___________________________ A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER
Ice Cream Store ____________________ Italian _____________________________ Liquor Store ________________________ Local Produce Farm _________________ Mexican ___________________________ Nightclub __________________________ Pizza ______________________________ Pizza Delivery ______________________ Produce ___________________________ Restaurant Drive-Thru _______________ Romantic Restaurant ________________ Salads _____________________________ Sandwiches ________________________ Seafood ___________________________ Smoothie __________________________ Snow Cones / Shaved Ice ____________ Sports Bar _________________________ Steak ______________________________ Sushi ______________________________ Sweet Tea__________________________ Takeout____________________________ Tex-Mex ___________________________ Wings _____________________________
EDUCATION Adult Education ____________________ College / University _________________ College Professor ___________________ Driving School______________________ Elementary School __________________ High School ________________________ Middle School ______________________ Preschool __________________________ Private School ______________________ School Administrator ________________ School Teacher _____________________ Tutoring Center_____________________
HOME & FINANCE Accounting ________________________ Air & Heating Service________________ Apartment Complex ________________ Assisted Living Community___________ Audio Video Solutions _______________ Bank ______________________________ Bookkeeping Company______________ Cable/Satellite Company ____________ Carpet Cleaning ____________________ Cleaning Company (Residential) ________________________ Contractor / Remodeler _________________________ Countertops Company ______________ Credit Union _______________________ Decks & Porches ____________________ WWW.THEITEM.COM/BESTOF
Drive-Thru Banking _________________ Electric Company ___________________ Fence Company ____________________ Financial Advisement ________________ Flooring Installation Company __________________________ Garage Doors ______________________ Glass & Mirror ______________________ Grading & Hauling __________________ Gutter Maintenance _________________ Home Accents Company _____________ Home Security Company __________________________ Interior Decorating Company __________________________ Investment Company ________________ Landscaping _______________________ Loan Company _____________________ Locksmith__________________________ Manufactured House Dealer ______________________ Mold Treatment ____________________ Mortgage Lender ___________________ Moving Company ___________________ New Home Construction Company ______________ Nursing Home______________________ Painters ___________________________ Pool Company _____________________ Pressure Washing Company __________________________ Propane / Gas Company ______________________ Property Management Company __________________________ Real Estate Agent ___________________ Real Estate Appraisal ________________ Real Estate Closing Attorney____________________ Real Estate Company________________ Real Estate Inspector ________________ Roofing Company __________________ Senior Care ________________________ Tax Preparation _____________________ Window Cleaning ___________________
MEDICAL Audiologist ________________________ Cardiologist ________________________ Children’s Dentist ___________________ Chiropractor _______________________ Cosmetic Dentist ___________________ Cosmetic Surgeon __________________ Dentist ____________________________ Dermatologist ______________________ Dialysis Company ___________________
Durable Medical Equipment _________________________ Ear, Nose, and Throat _______________ Endodontics _______________________ Esthetician _________________________ Family Practice _____________________ Hearing Aid Center _________________ Home Health _______________________ Hospice Care_______________________ Hospital ___________________________ Infectious Disease Specialist ___________ Imaging Services ___________________ In-Home Care ______________________ Internal Medicine ___________________ Laser / Skin Care ____________________ Lasik Surgery _______________________ Medical Center _____________________ Nurse _____________________________ Obstetrics & Gynecology ________________________ Occupational Therapist ______________ Optometrist ________________________ Oral Surgeon _______________________ Orthodontist _______________________ Orthopedic Surgeon ________________ Outpatient Surgery _________________ Outpatient Therapy Clinic ______________________ Pediatric Practice ___________________ Periodontics _______________________ Physical Therapist ___________________ Podiatrist __________________________ Prosthetics Company ________________ Psychiatrist _________________________ Psychologist _______________________ Sleep Center _______________________ Urgent Care ________________________ Vein Specialists _____________________
PROFESSIONALS Bankruptcy Attorney ________________ Bartender __________________________ Chef ______________________________ Civil Attorney_______________________ Consultant _________________________ Counselor _________________________ Criminal Defense Attorney ___________________________ Electrical Contractor ________________ Estate Planning Attorney ___________________________ Event Planner ______________________ Family Law Attorney_________________ Insurance Agent ____________________ Loan Officer ________________________ Pediatrician ________________________ A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM
Personal Injury Attorney____________________________ Personal Trainer_____________________ Pet Sitter___________________________ Pet Trainer__________________________ Photographer_______________________ Plumber____________________________ Private Investigator__________________ Veterinarian_________________________ Wedding Coordinator________________
SHOPPING & COMMERCE Antique Store_______________________ Appliance Store_____________________ Arts and Crafts Store_________________ Battery Store________________________ Bookstore__________________________ Boutique___________________________ Bridal Shop_________________________ Carpet / Flooring Store_______________________ CBD Retailer________________________ Children’s Clothing Store_____________ Computer Store_____________________ Consignment Store__________________ Cosmetics Store_____________________
Department Store___________________ Feed Store__________________________ Fishing Store________________________ Fitness Store________________________ Flea Market_________________________ Furniture Store______________________ Gas Station_________________________ Gift Store___________________________ Guns & Firearms Dealer______________ Hardware Store______________________ Jewelry Store________________________ Lighting & Fan Store_________________ Local Cellular Company______________ Mattress Store_______________________ Men’s Clothing Store_________________ Music Store_________________________ Nursery_____________________________ Office Equipment____________________ Outdoor Furniture & Accessories_______________________ Paint Store__________________________ Party Rentals________________________ Party Supply Store___________________ Pawn Shop__________________________ Pet Store___________________________ Pharmacy___________________________ Shoe Store__________________________ Sporting Goods_____________________
Thrift Store__________________________ Tire Store___________________________ Tobacco Store_______________________ Tool / Equipment Rental Store_________________________ Tuxedo Rental_______________________ Vape Store__________________________ Vitamin / Supplement Store___________ Wig Store___________________________ Window Company___________________ Women’s Clothing Store______________
BEST OF THE BEST Best New Business (opened in 2020)_____________________ Best Place to Work___________________ Best Boss___________________________ Best Local Industry___________________ Best Locally Owned Business__________ Best Customer Service_______________
Bring your print ballot into The Sumter Item or mail to 36 W. Liberty St. Sumter, SC 29150 Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. www.theitem.com
Vote For Us Best Orthodontist Best Charity Event 2021
Thomas W. Epps, DMD Orthodontics for Children and Adults 669-A W. Wesmark Blvd. (803) 775-5500 WWW.THEITEM.COM/BESTOF
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Our Standards, Set The Grade
charlessmithcompany.com
• • • • •
Paving • Repaving Parking Lots Existing Lots Sidewalks • Line Striping Concrete • and More! Seal Coating
Call for a FREE ESTIMATE!!
(803) 469-7207 Vote for us! theitem.com/bestof
Best Grading/Hauling, Paving Company, Commercial Contractor, Contractor/Remodeler, Best Locally Owned Business WWW.THEITEM.COM/BESTOF
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Vote for us again this year!
683 Bultman Dr. Sumter, SC 29150
201 N. Washington St. Sumter, SC 29150
firstcitizens.com
We are #1 in the #2 business since 1925
We’re your neighbors, we’re your family, we ARE Sumter. Vote US Best Plumber of 2021!
HILL PLUMBING
& electric company, inc. 438 N. Main Street, Sumter 803-773-6689/hillplumbing.com
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2021
A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER
803-469-6950
• • • • • • •
Installation Service & Repair Equipment Care Replacement Indoor Air Quality Solutions Filter Changes Air Low Balancing
airsolutionssc.com
• • • • • • •
Air Filtration Products High Efficiency Air Cleaners Humidifiers UV Sterilizers Energy Management Systems Emergency Service Polite & Courteous Specialists
100%
Customer Satisfaction Guarantee
A fully functional heating & air conditioning contractor providing services for residential and commercial customers in Sumter, Florence, Lee, Clarendon and surrounding counties.
2019
A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM 2190 Storage Road • SUMTER, SC 29153
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VOTE
for Best of Sumter “Window Tinting”
Home of First Come First Served Saturdays
Vote For Us!
• Best Auto Parts • Best Car & Truck Accessories
Voted BEST Place to Buy Auto Parts for
7 YEARS IN A ROW
816 S. Guignard Dr. 803.778.1841
4494 Broad Street 803.494.4444 WWW.THEITEM.COM/BESTOF
2 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU
A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER
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Duggie Dogs Duggie Dogs Express Express
Vote for Us! • Best Hot Dog • Best Ice Cream Store • Best American Food • Best New Business
Y
TE TODA O V
Grab & Go Curbside Delivery 1255 Hastings Drive, Sumter, SC 29150 ww
2021
1 w.t 02 2 f heit o em.com/best
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(803) 469-3647
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Vote Dixie 2021
for Best Of in 4 categories!
Best Flooring
Best Flooring Installation
Come See Rob & The Dixie Blondes!
Best Truck Accessories
Best Storage Buildings
Dixie Carpets & Dixie Products 1255 N. Lafayette • Sumter • 775-4391 Current Hours: 8:30am - 5:00pm Monday - Friday
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VOTE BEST
Prosthetics Company Durable Medical Equipment
246 Broad Street Sumter, SC 29150
803.934.9212
reliablemedequipment.com
VOTE FOR US!
AIR & HEATING SERVICE • BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE AIR PURIFICATION • BEST LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESS
THEITEM.COM/BESTOF
803-778-1937 Visit us at - www.boykinacs.com
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A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM
VOTE
For Creech Roddey Watson Insurance UNDER BEST HOME AND AUTO, LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESS, HEALTH CARE INSURANCE, AND LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY.
Our independent agents are vested members of the Sumter community and are committed to being your advocate in times of need. 25 E. Calhoun, St. Sumter, SC •803-775-1168 www.crwins.com
TERMITE & PEST CONTROL
“Bugs are what we know and we can make ‘em go.”
(803) 481-0284
Vote for us!
- Best Pest Control
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Experience...
You Can Count On!
Vote for our team in this year’s Best of Sumter! -Best Pediatric Practice -Best Pediatrician -Best Place to Work
Dr. DuRant
Dr. Key
Dr. Arscott
Dr. Mitchiner
Dr. Grier
Dr. Easler
SUMTER
PEDIATRICS, P.A. Together We Are Caring For The Future
237 Church St. | Sumter, SC | 803•775•6311
www.sumterpediatrics.com
NEWBORN CARE WELL CHECKUPS ACUTE CARE SPORTS PHYSICALS ASTHMA MAINTENANCE PEDIATRIC & ADOLESCENT CARE WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS WWW.THEITEM.COM/BESTOF
Heather Blanton Burns, DNP Hanna Rivers, FNP
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378 Flea Market
Dean Gainey
ADT
Des�na�on Spa
Al Barrineau
Dinkins Auc�on
Alice Drive Bap�st Church
Discount Furniture Outlet
Applebee’s
Dr. Clay Lowder - Colonial Family Prac�ce
Archway Academy
Dr. Friday
At Your Service Home Care
Dr. John McGinnis
Aunt Susan’s
Dr. Larry M. Scheele
Auto Zone
Dr. Mayes DuBose
Barrineau Accoun�ng
Elmore Hill McCreight
Bi-Lo
ERA Wilder Realty
Billy Aycock
Extreme Sports
Bojangles
Faster Care
Boykin Air Condi�oning Services
Frank’s Car Wash
Brown’s Furniture
Fred Moulton - Wilson Hall
Bullock Funeral Home & Crematorium
Gateway Mortgage
Caris Healthcare
Hamptons
Carolina Comfort Pet Si�ng
Ha�ield Hea�ng and Air
CarQuest Auto Parts
Hines Furniture
Central Carolina Technical College
IHOP
Charles Smith Co.
J.R. Dixon Auc�ons
Clayton Homes
Jeanie Cro�s - NHC HealthCare Sumter
Coldwell Banker Commercial Cornerstone
Jewelry Wholesale
Colonial Aesthe�cs
La Mer
Colonial Family Prac�ce
Lee’s Nails
Computer Upgraders
Legacies
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Limelite Photography
Sumter High School
Logan’s Roadhouse
Sunset Country Club/Quixote
Mac’s Place Spirits
Susan Duran
Mary Ann’s Deli
T&N Sep�c Tank Co.
McLaughlin Ford
Tanners
Megan Manus Photography
Thai House
Michaels
The O’Donnell House
Palme�o Oyster House
The Olive Tree and Doolallies
Palme�o Security
Tidal Wave Auto Spa
Paradox
Tree House Nursery
Ron’s Used Cars
Verizon
Ryan’s
Walgreens
Shelly A. Lundberg, CPA
Wally’s Hardware
Shuler’s
Walton Countertops
Sign Wave
Wesmark Ambulatory Surgery Center
Sister’s Catering
Westside Chris�an Academy
Southern Ink
Willie Sue’s
Spectrum
Zaxby’s
Sub Sta�on II Sumter Cut Rate
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A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM
Ace Parker Tire
NHC HealthCare Sumter
Baskin-Robbins
Petco
Broadstone Manor An�ques
Piggly Wiggly
Charpy’s Pools & Spas
Red Lobster
Comfort Suites
Reliable Medical Equipment
Dickie Jones
Sambino’s
Dixie Carpets
Sherwin Williams
Dixie Products
Shoney’s
FTC
Smoak Irriga�on Co.
Galloway & Moseley
State Tree
Gary’s Florist
Subway
Hill Plumbing
Sumter County Flea Market
Honda of Sumter
Sumter Laundry & Cleaners
Iris Fes�val
Sumter Ligh�ng & Home
James Formal Wear
Swan Lake-Iris Gardens
Jones Chevrolet
Terminix
KFC
Truist
Kyla Ann’s Bridal Bou�que
Walmart
McLean Marine
Weight Watchers
My Buddy Boarding/SPCA
Wilson Hall
A decade of winning! WWW.THEITEM.COM/BESTOF
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Ard’s Appliance Sales and Service
Miss Libby’s School of Dance and Gymnas�cs
Baker’s Sweets
Nicole Norris Design Studio
Belk
Norman Williams
Bradley’s
Outback Steakhouse
Chick-fil-A
Pizza Lane
Covenant Place
Reliable Pawn Shop
Edward Jones
Sonic
Guignard Diner
Staples
Leo’s
State Farm
Lowe’s
USC Sumter
Market Place Spirits
Ward’s Bar-B-Q
AMcDonald’s shopping day Yucatan to say thank you! Championing the cause to
Donald S Corry
Financial Advisor .
678 Bultman Drive Sumter, SC 29150 803-775-2911 www.edwardjones.com COVENANT
PLACE
SENIOR, TEACHER & SERVICE GUIGNARD DINER
Thank you for voting us the best!
Member SIPC
DAY
“Country Cooking”
me o Ho
Catering
Fast Food
Restaurant Drive-Thru
Sweet Tea
f the Chicken Wing! Sumter Locations 1057 Broad St., Ste 7 (Sumter Mall) 803-775-9072 1170 Broad St. 803-905-2620
Market Place Spirits
A shopping day to say Thank You!
Every TUESDAY • March 5, 12, 19 & 26 SENIORS 55 & OLDER, ACTIVE MILITARY, VETERANS & TEACHERS
take an extra WWW.THEITEM.COM/BESTOF
MEXICAN RESTAURANT
VOTED Thank you all for your support! BEST ADULT EDUCATION
2020
A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM
Dr. Lester Bell founded Animal Medical Clinic in 1981, and he uses his 41 years of experience in veterinary medicine, along with his handpicked group of doctors and technical staff, to create a compassionate practice that strives to bring medicinal and technological advances to care for your pets. They have been accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association for nearly 30 years and have supported the local Humane Society and several rescue groups for nearly 40 years by performing more than 5,000 surgeries on their behalf.
21 Pinewood Road Sumter, SC 29150 • phone: (803) 773-1616
SAFE has come a long way since its early days in 1955 when 15 Shaw Air Force Base civilian employees gathered together what cash they had to start a credit union. Now, SAFE is a membership-based nonprofit financial institution with more than $1 billion in assets, more than 125,000 active account holders and 15 easily accessible branch locations across the Midlands, making it the largest Midlands-based credit union. Over the years, SAFE’s growth has proven that good things come from Sumter.
160 W. Wesmark Blvd., Sumter, SC 29150 • phone: (803) 469-8600
ortgages | Auto Loans | Credit Cards | Personal Loans
rtgages | Auto Loans | Credit Cards | Personal Loans Financial Counseling | Online Banking | Mobile App rtgages | Auto Loans | Credit Cards | Personal Loans inancial |Counseling | Mobile App rtgages Auto Loans| |Online Credit Banking Cards | Personal Loans This fourth-generation hardware and sporting goods store has grown inancial Counseling | Online Banking | Mobile App quiteApp a bit since being founded in 1951 with a store in Camden. Over the inancial Counseling | Online Banking | Mobile Join today and take advantage
years, Simpson has grown to four stores in Sumter and Manning, offering everything from traditional products in fishing, sporting and clothing to always updating selections of gifts, kitchen and grilling products, footwear and garden supplies. Having won handfuls of categories over this contest’s years, Simpson has maintained its position as a local icon.
of all Join the financial benefits available for our today and take advantage
Join today and take and neighbors hereadvantage in the Midlands. W. Wesmark Blvd., Sumter, SC 29150 • phone: (803) 773-3397 offriends all the financial benefits available for40our Join today and take advantage of all the financial benefits for our riends and neighbors hereavailable in the Midlands. of all the financial benefits available for our riends and neighbors 800-763-8600 in the Midlands. Contact us here riends and neighbors here in the Midlands.
|
Contact us | Contact Contact us us ||
SAFEfed.org
There has been a YMCA in the Sumter community for nearly 130 years. In the 800-763-8600 early years, members met on Sunday afternoons to conduct religious services 800-763-8600 SAFEfed.org on the upper floor of what is now Powell’s on Main. Laymen conducted prayer 800-763-8600 and the ministers of the town encouraged them by their presence SAFEfed.org meetings, and council. Today, the YMCA still embodies that spirit of practicing Christian SAFEfed.org principles in all programs it offers, which includes so much more than a fitness center. With afterschool programming, summer activities, sessions for military spouses and older patrons and classes to bring healthy eating to low-income families, the YMCA is helping the Sumter community thrive.
510 Miller Road, Sumter, SC 29150 • phone: (803) 773-1404 WWW.THEITEM.COM/BESTOF
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the Best of Sumter through the years
We’ve certainly changed how the contest looks and is presented over the last 20 years, but one thing has not changed: our love for Sumter and the people and businesses that make it great. The Sumter Item
The Item (Sumter, South Carolina) · 21 Jun 2007, Thu · Page 25 Downloaded on Feb 5, 2021
The Sumter Item
The Item (Sumter, South Carolina) · 19 Jun 2001, Tue · Page 26 Downloaded on Feb 5, 2021
The Sumter Item
The Item (Sumter, South Carolina) · 23 Jun 2013, Sun · Page 55 Downloaded on Feb 5, 2021
Readers’ Choice
Bes t of f ront p ag e 2 0 0 7 Clipped By:
2001-2017
kayla0675 Fri, Feb 5, 2021
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Bes t of Su mter 2 0 0 1-J ack p ag e Clipped By: kayla0675 Fri, Feb 5, 2021
Best of Sumter 2018 - present
Copyright © 2021 Newspapers.com. All Rights Reserved.
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Bes t of f ront p ag e 2 0 13 Clipped By: kayla0675 Fri, Feb 5, 2021
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A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM
Vote for Best of Sumter
Senior Care In-home Care At Your Service Home Care 803-607-9677 645 Bultman Dr., Sumter SC 29150
Quality plumbing services in Sumter, SC
“The Right Ones to Count On”
VOTE FOR US in Best of Sumter
Best Plumber Best Customer Service Best Locally Owned Business Best Place to Work
WRIGHT WAY PLUMBING
WWW.THEITEM.COM/BESTOF
4185 Thomas Sumter Highway, Dalzell, SC 29040 803-499-4108 wrightwayplumbingllc.com
A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER
Monica Phan OWNER
VOTE TANNERS #1 GAS STATION
YOUR ONE STOP SHOP • 2 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU
2605 WAREHOUSE BLVD. (HWY 15 SOUTH) • SUMTER • (803) 506-2804 3088 ALEX HARVIN HWY. (HWY 301 & RACCOON RD.) • MANNING • (803) 473-2050 WE INVITE YOU TO SEE WHY TANNERS IS VOTED #1 • FRIENDLY SERVICE YOU CAN COUNT ON... WWW.THEITEM.COM/BESTOF
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VOTE FOR US for 2021’s Best Painters
Jon Sill’s CUSTOM PAINT WORKS Commercial & Residential
803-464-2480
sumterpaintman@yahoo.com
Vote Best Manufacturing Plant for Best of Sumter 2021
We produce high-quality, premium lines of passenger and light truck tires for original equipment and replacement markets. Having a State of the Art manufacturing facility with a growing team, the Sumter Plant is TS 16949 and ISO 14001 certified and a zero landfill facility. WWW.THEITEM.COM/BESTOF
A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER
WE ARE GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR VOTING US THE
BEST OF THE BEST THROUGH THE YEARS.
We have been nominated in five categories and we would appreciate your vote. They are Customer Service, Home Security, Internet Service, Cable/Satellite and Local Cellular. Please see our pages to find out more about us.
Your Go-To Technology Company
ftc.net | 888.218.5050 WWW.THEITEM.COM/BESTOF
A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER ITEM
Thank You
In 70 years of business across 4 generations, Simpson Hardware and Sports has had ONE major focus: their customers. Whether the stores are staying open during Hugo, surviving a fire to the main store, joining hands in their communities to clean up after the 100-year flood, or staying safe and distant during COVID, the Simpson work family exists to serve customers well.
Simpson’s seeks to assemble and train the best team at each of the 4 stores and provide a wide assortment of relevant products in a timely manner at a surprisingly competitive price. It’s the Simpson Way! Thank you Sumter, Manning, and surrounding areas for 70 great years, and here’s to looking forward to many more!
Throughout the Years BEST Customer Service BEST Locally Owned Business BEST Place to Work BEST Hardware Store BEST Sporting Goods BEST Shoe Store BEST Guns and Firearms Dealer BEST Fishing Store BEST Propane and Accessories BEST Outdoor Furniture BEST Fitness Store
VOTE for Simpson Hardware in Best of Sumter 2021!
40 W Wesmark Blvd., Sumter 803-773-3397
110 N. Brooks St., Manning 803-435-2651
350 Pinewood Rd., Sumter 803-774-2275
320 W. Liberty St., Sumter 803-773-9381
www.simpsonhardwareinc.com WWW.THEITEM.COM/BESTOF
A PUBLICATION OF THE SUMTER