Two small businesses recently received a special award from the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce and Laurens County Council. The application for the chamber adds, “Pro-business initiatives like this have a positive impact on the local economy by encouraging entrepreneurship, creating jobs and fostering innovation.”
Eligibility to apply includes a small firm that has been in operation for less than a year, has no more than ten employees, and is physically headquartered in Laurens County, among other things.
Sanitary Market, owned by Ryland and Katy Culbertson, and Great Crepes and More, operated by Jimmy and Kaleefa Neely, were just awarded $5,000 each.
Great Crepes and More has been in business for almost ten months. “Kaleefa had been in the restaurant business for 13 years and wanted to launch something on her own. “She suggested we make crepes,” Jimmy explained. “It’s a cross between a pancake and a tortilla, filled with savory fillings.” The Neelys now share an address with Palmetto Brothers Dispensary at 115 Public Square in Laurens, and despite Palmetto’s impending closure, they intend to remain in the building and expand.
“We are going to buy equipment. “We purchased a new Belgian waffle maker and an espresso machine to serve lattes and cappuccinos,” Jimmy explained. “We plan to open for special events like our Finally Fridays on the square and others and we want to acquire an alcohol beverage license so we can serve mimosa’s.”
The added cash help fledgling business owners negotiate gains and losses in their first few years.
“It just feels nice to have some breathing room. We’re balancing spending and saving, and one slow week can tilt the scale,” Jimmy added. “The grant allows us to look at more than just surviving.”
Despite changes in the landscape, Kaleefa hopes customers will continue to visit Great Crepes and More for community events, coffee, or a quick bite to eat. “We’re still here and we invite the community to come and have a seat, gather, talk to one another and enjoy each other’s company,” Kaleefa stated. Sanitary Market will also have new equipment at their site at 124 E. Public Square.
Refrigeration, according to Ryland Culbertson, is one of the most expensive needs on their list, and it is critical when selling everything fresh from local farms and suppliers.
The USDA requires fresh beef to be frozen unless stored in a cooler, and Culbertson says many clients want to pick up tonight’s dinner completely defrosted. “We’re able to keep it thawed and fresh with the coolers we purchased using the Boost grant,” Culbertson stated. They also bought a bread slicer.
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