Mattress storein Florence, SC

FLORENCE — West Florence is getting 82 more homes with the expansion of a subdivision.

A sketch plan for an expansion of the Cedar Crest subdivision on West Sumter Street was approved at the Florence County Planning Commission’s Feb. 25 meeting.

The new subdivision will span close to 40 acres.

Developed by Cedar Crest Developers LLC, the lots will have single-family homes, and the subdivision will adjoin the existing Cedar Crest development. The existing subdivision is in the city of Florence, but the expansion will be in the county.

County staff met with public works, the fire department and the S.C. Department of Transportation to resolve any concerns related to the development, Shawn Brashear, the county’s director of planning, said at the meeting.

The existing Cedar Crest subdivision has new homes starting at around $350,000, but the sketch plan does not include projected prices of homes in the expansion. Homes in Cedar Crest were built by Doulaveris Builders, a Florence-based residential homebuilder.

Cedar Crest is located about a quarter mile east of West Sumter Street’s intersection with North Ebenezer Road. It’s about an eight-minute drive from Magnolia Mall.

Homes in the existing subdivision are zoned for Lucy T. Davis Elementary, John W. Moore Middle School and West Florence High School.

The planning commission unanimously approved the sketch plan, but the development will have to jump through a few more procedural hoops.

Its approval follows a slew of other subdivisions recently approved by the city and county.

The county planning commission in January approved a sketch plan for 195 new homes in Quinby, just a four-minute drive from AESC’s electric vehicle battery plant. The city of Florence Planning Commission greenlit more than 600 new homes in two separate subdivisions in South and West Florence at its January meeting.

The second annual Pat Gibson Hye Moore Black history parade brought a wave of energy to Downtown Florence on Saturday. (Credit: Alexis Cooper/WPDE)

FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — The second annual Pat Gibson Hye Moore Black history parade brought a wave of energy to Downtown Florence on Saturday.

Pride, music and unity were at the heart of this event, honoring the legacy of the late beloved local leader and original organizer, Pat Gibson Hye Moore.

She served Florence as a city council woman from 2016 to 2022.

Hye Moore passed away last month due to longtime illness, passing the torch for parade organizing to Les Echols and Florence radio personality, Uncle Buddah.

Over 100 participants filled the Showtime Event Center parking lot to prepare for line up.

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The co-organizer, Les Echols, said this event is a time to uplift the community.

“It’s important to celebrate our culture, it’s important to come together, it’s important to know that we are empowered and empowering one another,” Echols said.

The community came together for fellowship and celebration of Black history. Scottie Hickson, a Florence local, said he looked forward to connecting with people and spreading love for one another.

“That’s why it’s good to know people that love you and show you love back,” Hickson said.

This parade not only brought people throughout the city together, but loved ones as well including a 12-year-old Prophet Streater, another Florence local.

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“I’m excited because I feel like it’s going to be fun because I’m going to be able to hang out with my family and friends,” Streater said.

The parade was more than just a day full of fun, but it honors a month full of knowledge.

“I like that we are able to experience history and be able to learn more about maybe our past relatives or people of color that are significant in this world,” Streater said.

FLORENCE — You don’t have to pay for a week’s worth of vacation to experience some of what South Carolina has to offer.

With warmer weather on the horizon, many are itching to get out of the house. These towns near Florence can be tackled in one day.

Georgetown

Georgetown is the third oldest city in South Carolina. The coastal town sports a historic district, multiple museums and rice farms. Less than 90 minutes from Florence, it’s also home to waterfront views and boat tours.

The Harborwalk in Georgetown features scenic views and is surrounded by shops like The Ship’s Booty, which offers a variety of souvenirs. The Harbor Shop specializes in custom monogramming and embroidery.

There are also restaurants like River Room with Southern, new American and seafood cuisine and Blue Bayou Bistro, known for Lowcountry flavors.

Visitors can also explore the Kaminski House Museum, which showcases a throwback to life in Georgetown from the 18th century to World War II.

Camden

Camden, located in Kershaw County, is about an hour’s drive from Florence. The town is known for its Revolutionary War history.

It has plenty of historic stops including The Revolutionary War Visitor Center at Camden, which features exhibitions of the history of South Carolina and an open-air market. The Revolutionary War Memorial is where Patriot Revolutionary War heroes are consecrated.

Besides history, Camden has a wealth of other experiences. The Arts Center of Kershaw County presents art classes, exhibitions, concerts and theater for its visitors.

Picnics, boating, fishing and camping are some of the activities that the 13,000 acres of Lake Wateree offers.

Hartsville

Hartsville, located in Darlington County, offers a small-town experience packed with day trip activities. From art museums, farms and parks to restaurants, Hartsville offers you a day trip experience just about 30 minutes from Florence.

Founded in 1980, Hartsville Museum offers history, art exhibitions and sculptures.

Hartsville also has restaurants like Wild Heart Brewing Co., where customers can enjoy pizza and craft beer. Crema Coffee Bar offers coffee, baked products and sandwiches or salads.

Kalmia Gardens, a 35-acre public botanical garden, offers visitors a walk through nature. The garden features about 50 different species of flowers that flourish during the spring. It’s open daily from dawn to dusk.

Aiken

Aiken, also known as the “Horse Country,” lets visitors embrace the equestrian spirit. It’s around a two-hour drive from Florence.

Rebel Ranch Horse Tours offers a ride around Aiken’s nature no matter how much experience you have with riding horses.

Aiken also offers restaurants like Neon Fig, where customers can have a taste of craft cocktails or regional beers.

The town, which has earned the Tree City USA designation, has a downtown where people can enjoy springtime nature.

Summerville

Summerville’s motto is “The Flower Town in the Pines.” Known for its azaleas in both public and private gardens. Spring is the right moment to visit and catch flowers blooming.

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Florence, SC News

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March 24, 2025

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Cities with the most expensive homes in the Florence, South Carolina metro area

Purchasing a home is one of the most important investments there is. More than a place to live, homeownership is an asset with the potential to tremendously rise in value. But with home prices reaching record heights, affordability plays a huge role for buyers.

The typical home value in the United States was $357,377 in February, 2.1% higher than the year before.

High mortgage rates are also making monthly payments more expensive; as of March 20, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate sits at 6.67%.

Although home prices have inflated all across the U.S., there are some cities that command a higher price tag than others. Location, size, age, and condition are all contributing factors to home value.

Stacker compiled a list of cities with the most expensive homes in the Florence, South Carolina metro area using data from Zillow. Charts show the monthly typical home value since January 2018. All 14 cities and towns with data available were included in the list.

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1 / 14

Stacker

#14. Society Hill, SC

- Typical home value: $83,076- 1-year price change: -4.2%- 5-year price change: +29.6%

2 / 14

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#13. Olanta, SC

- Typical home value: $108,457- 1-year price change: +8.5%- 5-year price change: +31.5%

3 / 14

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#12. Lake City, SC

- Typical home value: $112,036- 1-year price change: -0.3%- 5-year price change: +37.9%

4 / 14

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#11. Lamar, SC

- Typical home value: $113,156- 1-year price change: +0.9%- 5-year price change: +30.2%

5 / 14

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#10. Scranton, SC

- Typical home value: $122,332- 1-year price change: +1.5%- 5-year price change: +33.7%

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6 / 14

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#9. Darlington, SC

- Typical home value: $127,265- 1-year price change: +1.7%- 5-year price change: +32.2%

7 / 14

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#8. Johnsonville, SC

- Typical home value: $128,796- 1-year price change: +1.3%- 5-year price change: +43.9%

8 / 14

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#7. Pamplico, SC

- Typical home value: $132,017- 1-year price change: +3.0%- 5-year price change: +42.4%

9 / 14

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#6. Mc Bee, SC

- Typical home value: $142,238- 1-year price change: -3.2%- 5-year price change: +42.3%

10 / 14

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#5. Coward, SC

- Typical home value: $144,480- 1-year price change: +4.1%- 5-year price change: +43.7%

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11 / 14

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#4. Timmonsville, SC

- Typical home value: $158,301- 1-year price change: +4.1%- 5-year price change: +50.9%

12 / 14

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#3. Hartsville, SC

- Typical home value: $158,596- 1-year price change: +2.8%- 5-year price change: +35.2%

13 / 14

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#2. Quinby, SC

- Typical home value: $191,542- 1-year price change: +3.4%- 5-year price change: +53.8%

14 / 14

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#1. Florence, SC

- Typical home value: $211,560- 1-year price change: +2.8%- 5-year price change: +40.5%

AcclaimedAcclaimed pitmaster Elliott Moss has long been on the food festival circuit, but this past weekend at Florence Wine & Food, he hosted the festival’s opening event, Meat and Meander, at his newly opened Elliott’s BBQ Lounge in the Seminar Brewing space at 551 West Lucas Street. He and his team plated up pulled pork for admiring fans and award-winning pitmasters Rodney Scott and Bryan Furman.

“Opening Elliott’s in Florence is 100 percent full circle for me,” says Moss, “I was born and raised here. I started my cooking career here. My passion for whole hog barbecue started here. It’s whole hog country.”

After leaving Florence as a teenager, Moss spent 17 years working as a chef in Asheville and became a fixture in the restaurant community. After a quick rise to fame at the Admiral, Moss left the restaurant. He spent months traveling the Carolinas researching barbecue before opening Buxton Hall in 2015 with Meherwan Irani’s Chai Pani Restaurant Group. He left that project to open Regina’s and Little Louie’s Hoagies & Pierogis, and then he and his wife, Jennifer, decided it was time to move back to Florence.

Elliott’s BBQ Lounge opened in mid-March with Pee Dee whole hog barbecue, baby back ribs, smoked chicken wings, a pimento cheese burger, and plenty of Southern sides.

“We have been well received so far,” says Moss, “I still have lots of family and family friends here. That helps for sure. Being away for so long and spending so much time in Asheville, I didn’t really know how folks would welcome me back. But the locals here that I’ve spoken with are excited about what we’re doing. We plan to keep that going.”

Moss says that he sees plenty of visitors who aren’t from Florence. Elliott’s BBQ Lounge is an easy stop off I-95, so travelers no longer have to settle for the mediocre brisket at Buc-ee’s if they are looking for smoked meats on their journey. Moss is even commissioning a billboard to draw in more drivers.

“I would love for Elliott’s to grow into something that people from Florence and the Pee Dee can be proud of,” he says, “Elliott’s, at its core, is a Florence restaurant. Everything about it is inspired by my Pee Dee upbringing.”

Elliott’s BBQ Lounge is open Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Check out the menu here before you go. For certain, get the whole hog plate, but do not skip the pimento cheese and bacon burger — the smoky meat plus the creamy condiment and pickled peppers is one of the best bites we’ve had this year.