Florence, South Carolina
Encyclopedia
Municipal government and politics
The City of Florence has a council-manager form of government. The mayor and city councilCity council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
are elected every four years, with no term limit
Term limit
A term limit is a legal restriction that limits the number of terms a person may serve in a particular elected office. When term limits are found in presidential and semi-presidential systems they act as a method to curb the potential for monopoly, where a leader effectively becomes "president for...
s. Unlike other mayors in council-manager systems, Florence mayor has the power to veto ordinance
Local ordinance
A local ordinance is a law usually found in a municipal code.-United States:In the United States, these laws are enforced locally in addition to state law and federal law.-Japan:...
s passed by the council; vetoes can be overridden by a two-thirds majority of the council.
The council appoints a city manager
City manager
A city manager is an official appointed as the administrative manager of a city, in a council-manager form of city government. Local officials serving in this position are sometimes referred to as the chief executive officer or chief administrative officer in some municipalities...
to serve as chief administrative officer to run the day-to-day business of the city and serves at the pleasure of the council. The current City Manager of Florence is Drew Griffin.
The current mayor of Florence is Stephen J. Wukela. Wukela, who is currently serving his first term, elected in 2008. Florence holds elections for mayor every four years, with the next election in 2012; there are no term limits.
The city council consists of seven members (three from districts and three at-large
At-Large
At-large is a designation for representative members of a governing body who are elected or appointed to represent the whole membership of the body , rather than a subset of that membership...
). The city council is responsible for making policies and enacting laws, rules and regulations in order to provide for future community and economic growth, in addition to providing the necessary support for the orderly and efficient operation of city services.
At-Large
- Glynn F. Willis
- Steve Powers
- Octavia Williams-Blake
Districts
- 1: Teresa Myers Ervin
- 2: Edward Robinson
- 3: Carter "Buddy" Brand (Mayor-Pro Tem)
Economy
During the latter part of the 20th century and early 21st century, Florence's economy was transformed from based largely on rail and farming into a diversified economy as the major commerce, finance, rail and trucking services, health care, and industral center of the Eastern Carolinas. There are over 9 foreign affiliated companies and fourteen Fortune 500Fortune 500
The Fortune 500 is an annual list compiled and published by Fortune magazine that ranks the top 500 U.S. closely held and public corporations as ranked by their gross revenue after adjustments made by Fortune to exclude the impact of excise taxes companies collect. The list includes publicly and...
companies in the region. The gross domestic product (GDP) of the Florence metropolitan statistical area as of 2009 was $6.8 billion, one of the highest among MSAs in the state.
Milken Institute 2008 Best Performing Cities Index showed the Florence MSA as the 5th largest gainer in their evaluation of the top 124 small metropolitan areas in the United States. The report ranks U.S. metropolitan areas by how well they are creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth. The components include job, wage and salary and technology growth.
Florence has blossomed into a strong center for medical care, with three major medical providers McLeod Regional Medical Center
McLeod Health
McLeod Health is a hospital network serving the twelve counties of northeastern South Carolina. McLeod Health was founded in 1906. It is a locally owned, not-for-profit institution. The organization has a staff of nearly 4,800, including nearly 400 physicians and more than 1,400 nurses...
, Carolinas Hospital System and HealthSouth
HealthSouth
HealthSouth Corporation , based in Birmingham, Alabama, is the nation’s largest owner and operator of inpatient rehabilitative hospitals. Operating in 26 states across the country and in Puerto Rico, HealthSouth serves patients through its network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals , outpatient...
. The growth of these providers has led to the transformation of the Florence skyline over the last 10 years, with development for demand with multi-story high-rises as well as community relation projects.
With such a strong medical community several companies have their global, continental, or national headquarters in Florence, including General Electric
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
Medical Systems manufacturing operations, TRICARE
TRICARE
TRICARE, formerly known as the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services , is a health care program of the United States Department of Defense Military Health System. TRICARE provides civilian health benefits for military personnel, military retirees, and their dependents,...
, a supplemental insurance company that serves the US Armed Forces and its civilian employees, and Assurant
Assurant
Assurant is a specialty insurance company headquartered in New York City. Assurant’s four businesses provide a wide range of insurance products and related services, including creditor-placed homeowners insurance, manufactured housing homeowners insurance, credit insurance, individual health and...
, a real property and personal insurance company. The city also serves the pharmaceutical industry: with the North America headquarters for Hoffmann–La Roche a Swiss-owned company that provides a wide range of services to the pharmaceutical industry and research and development center for IRIX Pharmaceuticals.
Florence also serves as the financial and service hub for the Eastern Carolinas, with many financial and professional management institutions invested heavily within the city. Companies with regional operations and headquarters to include, JP Morgan Chase, BB&T
BB&T
BB&T Corporation is an American bank with assets of $157 billion , offering full-service commercial and retail banking services along with other financial services like insurance, investments, retail brokerage, mortgage, corporate finance, consumer finance, payment services, international...
, Monster.com
Monster.com
Monster.com is one of the largest employment websites in the world, owned and operated by Monster Worldwide, Inc. Monster is one of the 20 most visited websites out of 100 million worldwide, according to comScore Media Metrics...
and Bank of America
Bank of America
Bank of America Corporation, an American multinational banking and financial services corporation, is the second largest bank holding company in the United States by assets, and the fourth largest bank in the U.S. by market capitalization. The bank is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina...
. Florence has operation headquarters for at&t
AT&T
AT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications corporation headquartered in Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States. It is the largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in the United States, and is also a provider of broadband and subscription television services...
and Progress Energy Inc.
Florence has benefited being located at the intersection of I-95
Interstate 95 in South Carolina
Interstate 95 is a major Interstate Highway, running along the East Coast of the United States from Florida to Maine. In South Carolina, I-95 runs approximately parallel to the Atlantic Ocean shore although about inland, from Hardeeville in the south to Dillon in the northeast.-Route...
and I-20, approximately halfway between New York City and Miami, Florida. The city is located 80 miles (128.7 km) east from the state capital Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
, 70 miles (112.7 km) west from Myrtle Beach, 120 miles (193.1 km) North of Charleston, and 110 miles (177 km) southeast of Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
. This has allowed Florence to remain competitive and bringing in and sustaining major manufacturers such as Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
, ESAB
ESAB
ESAB, Elektriska Svetsnings-Aktiebolaget , is a Swedish industrial company.-History:The Company was founded by Oscar Kjellberg, who pioneered the development of manual metal arc welding electrodes, in Gothenburg in 1904...
, DuPont
DuPont
E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company , commonly referred to as DuPont, is an American chemical company that was founded in July 1802 as a gunpowder mill by Eleuthère Irénée du Pont. DuPont was the world's third largest chemical company based on market capitalization and ninth based on revenue in 2009...
-Teijin Films, QVC
QVC
QVC is a multinational corporation specializing in televised home shopping. Founded in 1986 by Joseph Segel in West Goshen Township, Pennsylvania, United States, QVC broadcasts in five countries as QVC US, QVC UK, QVC Germany, QVC Japan and – QVC Italy to 200 million households...
Distribution Center, and Heinz
H. J. Heinz Company
The H. J. Heinz Company , commonly known as Heinz and famous for its "57 Varieties" slogan and its ketchup, is an American food company with world headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Perhaps best known for its ketchup, the H.J...
.
Public education
The public school system (Florence Public Schools) is run by the Florence School District One as the governing body of the school districtSchool district
School districts are a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate the local public primary and secondary schools.-United States:...
with Larry Jackson as the last superintendent, with Dr. Allie E Brooks as the current. As of the 2009–2010, the system has an active enrollment of 14,500 students, attending a total of 17 schools: including 12 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 3 high schools serving the City of Florence, Effingham and Quinby areas. The school system also supports an alternative school for middle and/or high school students,a vocational career center, and an adult learning center.The district and its schools have been recognized as being among the state's best with numerous awards, including the Palmetto's Finest Award.
Private schools
- Montessori School of Florence
- All Saints Episcopal Day School
- Florence Christian SchoolFlorence Christian SchoolFlorence Christian School is a Christian private school located in Florence, South Carolina, USA. It offers an academic program with a largely Christian-oriented curriculum...
- St. Anthony Catholic School
- The King's Academy
- Maranatha Christian School
- Trinity Collegiate SchoolTrinity Collegiate SchoolTrinity Collegiate School is a co-educational secondary college preparatory school in Darlington, South Carolina. The school is located on a rural campus southwest of Darlington and serves the Pee Dee region of South Carolina....
- The Byrnes School
Higher education
Francis Marion UniversityFrancis Marion University
Francis Marion University is a state-supported liberal arts university located six miles east of Florence, South Carolina, USA...
, a public university of approximately 4,000 students founded in 1970, is located about seven miles (11 km) east of Florence.
Florence-Darlington Technical College
Florence-Darlington Technical College
Florence-Darlington Technical College is a 2-year community college in Florence, South Carolina, U.S.A. The college's president is Charles W. Gould. It is a part of the South Carolina Technical College System....
was established in 1963 and presently serves nearly 6,000 curriculum students (as of the Fall 2011 Semester) and more than 25,000 regional residents through its continuing education division. The college operates satellite campuses in Hartsville, Lake City and Mullins. In addition, a site in Darlington County houses the cosmetology center and downtown Florence is home to the Health Sciences Campus. The Southeastern Institute for Manufacturing and Technology (SIMT) opened 2007 on a 146 acre (0.59084156 km²) tract behind FDTC's main campus.
Coker College
Coker College
Coker College offers a four-year program that emphasizes a practical application of the liberal arts as well as hands-on and discussion-based learning within and beyond the classroom. Coker is ranked among the "Best Colleges" in the South by U.S. News & World Report as well as The Princeton Review...
in Hartsville
Hartsville, South Carolina
Hartsville is a small city in Darlington County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 7,764 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hartsville is located at ....
and Coastal Carolina University
Coastal Carolina University
Coastal Carolina University is an independent, state-supported, liberal arts university in Conway, South Carolina, USA, located eight miles west of Myrtle Beach. Founded in 1954, Coastal became an independent university in 1993. The University enrolls approximately 8,300 students on its campus...
in Conway
Conway, South Carolina
Conway is a city in Horry County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 16,317 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Horry County and is part of the Myrtle Beach metropolitan area. It is the home of Coastal Carolina University....
are also not far away.
Healthcare
McLeod Regional Medical Center is a 453-bed non-profit medical center located on a 75 acres (303,514.5 m²) campus in downtown Florence. The hospital complex in downtown contains the Cardiovascular Institute, the Center for Advanced Surgery, the Cancer Center, and the only specialised paediatrics unit in the northeastern portion of South Carolina. It encompasses acute care facilities, such as McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, McLeod Medical Center in Dillon, McLeod Medical Center in Darlington, and also operates campuses all over the Pee Dee region of South Carolina.Carolinas Hospital System, a leading regional healthcare facility with 420-beds, serves eight counties in northeastern South Carolina. For thousands of patients who use the facility every year, CHS makes a commitment to offering personalized, compassionate care, and to being at the forefront for innovative surgery and the latest in cutting-edge technology for diagnosis and treatment.
Regency Hospital opened its doors in Florence, in July 2001. It is a 40-bed Long Term Acute Care (LTAC) hospital located on the fourth and fifth floors of the Cedar Towers, at 121 Cedar Street. Regency, with its corporate office based in Alpharetta, Georgia, has 20 hospitals nationwide, and continues to aggressively grow throughout the country.
McLeod Regional Medical Center and Carolinas Hospital System are the first and third largest employers in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina.
Highway
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Interstate 95Interstate 95 in South CarolinaInterstate 95 is a major Interstate Highway, running along the East Coast of the United States from Florida to Maine. In South Carolina, I-95 runs approximately parallel to the Atlantic Ocean shore although about inland, from Hardeeville in the south to Dillon in the northeast.-Route...
is a six lane freeway that enters the city from the northeast, and exits southwest, establishing the city as the half way point between Miami and New York.
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Interstate 20Interstate 20 in South CarolinaInterstate 20 is a major thoroughfare cutting across the state of South Carolina, linking the state with important transportation and business hubs to the north, west and south, including Atlanta, Georgia, Charlotte, North Carolina , Savannah, Georgia and Washington, D.C...
is a four lane interstate highway, which enters the city from the west and has a terminus in Florence as (David McLeod Blvd
Business Spur). Also, this is a popular entrance to the area if coming into the city. Interstate 20 connects the city to Columbia, Atlanta, Dallas, and the American West.
-
U.S. Route 52U.S. Route 52 in South CarolinaU.S. Route 52 is a North–South U.S. Highway that runs from Charleston to the North Carolina state line near Cheraw. It serves as a strategic highway through the central South Carolina.-Route description:U.S. 52 enters South Carolina northeast of Cheraw...
is a more direct path through Florence on a North to South route through the downtown area. The highway crosses Interstate 95 in the northwest of the downtown area, then merges with US 301 before it exits the city to the south, with a junction with
SC 51South Carolina Highway 51South Carolina Highway 51 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It is unique for being signed in two different locations in the state; the first section from Georgetown to Florence, the second section in Fort Mill....
to Charleston, South CarolinaCharleston, South CarolinaCharleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
-
US Route 76U.S. Route 76U.S. Route 76 is an east–west United States highway that runs for from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.-Tennessee:...
enters the city from west at Interstate 95, then merges with David McLeod Blvd at Palmetto Street, and finally exits east of the city at the junction with Freedom Blvd. The road runs from Chattanooga, TennesseeChattanooga, TennesseeChattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County...
to Wilmington, North CarolinaWilmington, North CarolinaWilmington is a port city in and is the county seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476 according to the 2010 Census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state of North Carolina...
.
-
U.S. Highway 301U.S. Route 301U.S. Route 301 is a spur of U.S. Route 1 running through the South Atlantic States. It currently runs 1,099 miles from Glasgow, Delaware at U.S. Route 40 to Sarasota, Florida. It passes through the states of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida...
offers another north to south route into Florence. Entering the city merged with US 52 as South Irby Street, it then forms a crescent moon shaped bypass around the downtown area as Freedom Boulevard. US 301 then merges with US 76 east of downtown Florence, and exits as such.
Mass transit
The Pee Dee Regional Transportation AuthorityPee Dee Regional Transportation Authority
The Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority is the primary provider of mass transportation in a six county region of northeastern South Carolina. The agency was established in 1974 as the state's first public transit agency that was managed by a multi-county board instead of a single municipality...
(PDRTA), is the principal agency responsible for operating mass transit in greater Florencea area including Darlington
Darlington, South Carolina
Darlington is a city in and the county seat of Darlington County, in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of South Carolina. It is a center for tobacco farming. The population was 6,720 at the 2000 census and is part of the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, Marion
Marion, South Carolina
Marion is a city in Marion County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 7,042 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Marion County...
, Chesterfield
Chesterfield, South Carolina
Chesterfield is a town in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1472 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Chesterfield County...
, Dillon
Dillon, South Carolina
Dillon, South Carolina, the county seat of Dillon County, was established on December 22, 1888. The name of the city came from James W. Dillon, who was a key component in bringing a railroad through this area of the state, which led to development and formation of the County. Dillon’s population...
, and the Lake City area, PDRTA also operates routes to Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
, Myrtle Beach and Sumter
Sumter, South Carolina
-Demographics:, there were 59,180 people, 34,717 households, and 4,049 families living in the city. The population density was 4,469.5 people per square mile . There were 416,032 housing units at an average density of 603.0 per square mile...
.
PDRTA operates express shuttles, and bus service serving Florence and its immediate surrounds areas. The authority was established in June1974 which is South Carolina’s Oldest and Largest RTA. PDRTA began operations serving the six-county Pee Dee region of Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marion, and Marlboro Counties. The PDRTA has provided transportation for more than 15 million passengers and daily PDRTA transports approximately 2,457 people. PDRTA operates services with 165 vehicles ranging in size from transit, intercity buses, and trolleys to lift-equipped vans and goshens.
Air
The city and its surroundings are served by Florence Regional AirportFlorence Regional Airport
-History:The airport began with the purchase of of land in 1928. During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces Third Air Force used the airport as a training base and added...
(IATA:FLO; ICAO:KFLO), which is located 2 miles (3.2 km) east of downtown Florence on US 76. The airport itself is serviced by US Airways
US Airways
US Airways, Inc. is a major airline based in the U.S. city of Tempe, Arizona. The airline is an operating unit of US Airways Group and is the sixth largest airline by traffic and eighth largest by market value in the country....
Express
US Airways Express
US Airways Express is an airline brand name, rather than a fully certified airline, and as such, the US Airways Express name is used by several individually owned airlines or airline holding companies which provide regional airline and commuter service for US Airways.Operations are conducted from...
and is the second busiest airport in the region behind Myrtle Beach International Airport
Myrtle Beach International Airport
Myrtle Beach International Airport is a county-owned public-use airport located three nautical miles southwest of the central business district of Myrtle Beach, in Horry County, South Carolina, United States...
.
Intercity rail
AmtrakAmtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
's The Palmetto trains 89, 90
Palmetto (Amtrak)
The Palmetto is a passenger train service operated by Amtrak over the from New York City south to Savannah, Georgia via the Northeast Corridor to Washington, DC, then via Richmond, Virginia, Fayetteville, North Carolina and Charleston, South Carolina...
and the Silver Meteor trains 97, 98
Silver Meteor
The Silver Meteor is a 1389-mile passenger train route operated by Amtrak in the Silver Service brand, running from New York City, New York, south to Miami, Florida, via the Northeast Corridor to Washington, D.C., thence via Richmond, Virginia; Fayetteville, North Carolina; North Charleston, South...
connect Florence with the cities of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Washington
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
, Tampa
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
and Miami.
Intercity bus
Greyhound LinesGreyhound Lines
Greyhound Lines, Inc., based in Dallas, Texas, is an intercity common carrier of passengers by bus serving over 3,700 destinations in the United States, Canada and Mexico, operating under the well-known logo of a leaping greyhound. It was founded in Hibbing, Minnesota, USA, in 1914 and...
and Southeastern Stages operates a station on Irby Street, in the southern part of downtown, providing Florence with intercity bus transportation.
Downtown revitalization
The city of Florence has recently under taken a massive redevelopment of Downtown Florence. The city has completed several notable projects and has several more planned. The Downtown Redevelopment District was originally a seventy square block area encompassing some 500 acres (2 km²) in the heart of the City of Florence, but now has added over 100 more acres of the Timrod Park area with its historic homes. The redevelopment of Florence has even created a new branding effort, to include new city department logos (not to be confused with the city seal) way finding signs and repainting of water towers.The historic downtown district running from the central business district toward the McLeod Medical Center, features a number of historic buildings that have been rehabilitated. The redevelopment started with the $ 18 million dollar Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation Library, and today now has the new Florence Little Theater, some 60 new apartments and the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center which opened in September 2011, as well the new Florence Museum Of Art, Science & History soon to be under construction and scheduled for completion in 2013. New office space has emerged from once abandoned buildings, and a police substation was added on once crime ridden Dargan Street.
Special efforts are being aimed at the downtown area, which was once the center of the city's activity but remains dormant after retailers and shoppers left for suburban malls. The goal is to re-establish Evans as a vibrant commercial and residential corridor, and five blocks of Evans Street will be streetscaped.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 30,248 people, 11,925 households, and 7,882 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,709.4 people per square mile (659.8/km²). There were 13,090 housing units at an average density of 739.7 per square mile (285.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 52.96% White, 44.77% Black (U.S. Census), 0.18% Native American, 1.16% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other racesRace (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.76% of the population.
There were 11,925 households out of which 30.2% had children living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 20.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.9% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 82.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,388, and the median income for a family was $42,250. Males had a median income of $35,633 versus $23,589 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,336. 19.3% of the population and 15.3% of families were below the poverty line. 28.2% of those under the and 15.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Florence is the central city of a metropolitan area
Florence, South Carolina metropolitan area
As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and used by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes only, the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area, is an area consisting of two counties in the Pee Dee region of northeastern South Carolina, anchored by the city of Florence...
with a total population of 205,566 (2010 US census), including the entire populations of Florence and Darlington counties. However, in the more detailed 2000 Census data, only about 54% of this metro was urbanized, consisting of the urban areas Florence (2000 pop.: 67,314), Hartsville (14,907), Darlington (12,066), and Lake City
Lake City, South Carolina
Lake City is a city in Florence County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 6,478 at the 2000 census...
(8,728). The remainder of the Florence metro is considered rural.
Religion
Like other midsize cities in the southern US, Florence's population is largely dominated by Protestantism, the largest being the Southern Baptists, followed by the Methodists. The rest of the population are distributed among other Protestant denominations as well as the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches. The Greek Orthodox Church holds a large Greek Festival annually in September. There are two Reform JudaismReform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
synagogues in Florence Beth Israel Congregation
Beth Israel Congregation (Florence, South Carolina)
Beth Israel Congregation is a Reform synagogue located at 316 Park Avenue in Florence, South Carolina. Formally incorporated with the state of South Carolina in September 1912, Beth Israel grew out of the Florence Hebrew Benevolent Association which was founded in 1887., the rabbi was Jeffrey Ronald...
. In addition to a small Hindu Temple in addition to a growing Neo-Pagan community.
Notable natives
Among the famous people and groups connected to Florence are:- Senatorial candidate Alvin GreeneAlvin GreeneAlvin Michael Greene is a Democrat from South Carolina. He was the Democratic Party's nominee in the 2010 United States Senate election in South Carolina. He was defeated by incumbent Republican Sen. Jim DeMint by a margin of 61.46% to 27.65%, with the remaining votes going to third-party and...
- Actor (Host) Mark L. WalbergMark L. WalbergMark Lewis Walberg is an American actor, television personality and game show host. His television credits include Antiques Roadshow , as well as the game shows Russian Roulette on GSN and The Moment of Truth on Fox....
- Actor Aziz AnsariAziz AnsariAziz Ansari is an American actor, writer, and stand-up comedian. He currently stars as Tom Haverford on the NBC show Parks and Recreation....
- Actress, Morning Show Personality (Kidd Kraddick in the MorningKidd Kraddick in the MorningKidd Kraddick in the Morning is an American morning radio show hosted by Kidd Kraddick on Cumulus Media Networks...
), Kellie RasberryKellie RasberryAngela Kellie Rasberry is an American radio personality. She is the co-host of the radio talk show Kidd Kraddick in the Morning along with Kidd Kraddick, Big Al Mack, "Psycho" Shanon, Jenna, and J-Si. The show is broadcast from 6-10am CST on weekday mornings and is nationally syndicated in 75+... - Actress (WWE Ring Announcer) Lilian GarciaLilian GarciaLilian Annette García , is a Spanish-American singer. She is best known as the former ring announcer for WWE's Raw brand. During her time in WWE, she became the first Diva to remain with the promotion for ten years.-Early life and career:...
- Artist William JohnsonWilliam Johnson (artist)William Henry Johnson was an African American painter born in Florence, South Carolina, and is becoming more widely recognized as one of the greatest American artists of the 20th Century...
- Buddy BakerBuddy BakerElzie Wylie Baker, Jr. , nicknamed "Leadfoot" or more famously Buddy, is a former American NASCAR racecar driver.-Early life:...
- Cale YarboroughCale YarboroughWilliam Caleb "Cale" Yarborough , is a farmer, businessman and former NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver and owner. He is one of only two drivers in NASCAR history to win three consecutive championships...
- Ron BarfieldRon BarfieldRon Barfield is a former NASCAR driver. He raced in all of the major NASCAR series: Winston Cup, Busch Series, and Craftsman Truck Series, but did not win a race. He is a former protege of Bill Elliott.- Beginnings :...
- Athlete (MLB) Jordan LylesJordan LylesJordan Horton Lyles is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball.-Playing career:...
- Athlete (NFL) Clayton HolmesClayton HolmesClayton Holmes is a former professional American football player who played cornerback for four seasons for the Dallas Cowboys. He won Super Bowl rings with Dallas in 1992 and 1993, although he missed the entire latter season after suffering a knee injury...
- Athlete (NFL) Jim DavidJim DavidJim David is an American stand-up comedian, actor and writer. He is originally from Asheville, North Carolina, and lives in New York City. He performs stand-up comedy at comedy clubs and other venues worldwide...
- Athlete (International Street Racing League) Daniel SlaterDaniel Slater- Biography :Slater was born in London and educated at Bristol University and Cambridge University.- External links :* * *...
- Athlete (CFL) Darian DurantDarian DurantDarian Bernard Durant is a professional American football quarterback who plays for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League . He played college football at the University of North Carolina...
- Athlete (NFL) Harry CarsonHarry CarsonHarold Donald Carson is a former American football inside linebacker who played his entire professional career for the NFL's New York Giants...
- Athlete (NFL) Justin DurantJustin DurantJustin Durant is an American football linebacker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jaguars in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
- Athlete (NFL) Lawrence TimmonsLawrence TimmonsLawrence Olajuwon Timmons is an American football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was drafted by the Steelers 15th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State University.-Early years:...
- Former United States Air Force AcademyUnited States Air Force AcademyThe United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
Head Football Coach Fisher DeBerryFisher DeBerryFisher DeBerry is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the United States Air Force Academy from 1984 to 2006, compiling a record of 169–109–1. DeBerry led 17 of his 23 Air Force Falcons squads to winning records and 12 captured a bowl... - Historian Philip B. MeggsPhilip B. MeggsPhilip Baxter Meggs was an American graphic designer, professor, historian and author of books on graphic design. His book History of Graphic Design is a definitive, standard read for the study of graphic design....
- Knifemaker Blackie CollinsBlackie CollinsWalter Wells Collins or Blackie Collins was an American knife maker who designed and popularized the assisted opening mechanism and various automatic knife designs within the art of knifemaking...
- Band Through the Eyes of the DeadThrough the Eyes of the DeadThrough the Eyes of the Dead is an American deathcore band from Florence, South Carolina, formed in 2003. They have released three full-length albums, one EP, and one split album with The Knife Trade.-History:...
- Band Graves of ValorGraves of ValorGraves of Valor is a death metal band formed in 2005, hailing from Florence, South Carolina. They recently inked a deal with Relapse Records and have since released their first full length album, Salarian Gate, on May 26, 2009.-History:...
- Band The IndependentsThe Independents (band)-Biography:The Independents are an American swamp-ska/grind-core/horror-punk/doo-wop/fusion-jazz/ Emerson, Lake & Palmer cover band formed in Florence,SC in 1992 by Evil Presley and Willy B from the ashes of their 80's synth band "Snipe-hunter"...
- Musician Trey LorenzTrey LorenzTrey Lorenz is an African American singer and songwriter. He was born in Florence, South Carolina and is a graduate of Wilson High School.-Biography:...
- Violinist Hilary HahnHilary HahnHilary Hahn is an American violinist.Hahn was born in Lexington, Virginia. Beginning her studies when she was three years old at Baltimore's Peabody Institute, she was admitted to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia at age ten, and in 1991, made her major orchestral debut with the...
Professional sports teams
| Club | Sport | League | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florence Red Wolves Florence Red Wolves The Florence Red Wolves are an amateur baseball team that plays in Florence, South Carolina. The Florence Red Wolves are part of the Coastal Plain League, the collegiate summer baseball league located in the American Southeast.-History:... |
Baseball | Coastal Plain League Coastal Plain League The Coastal Plain League is a wood-bat collegiate summer league, featuring college players from throughout the nation. The league takes its name from a Class D minor league baseball league which operated in the same area from 1937 to 1952. The modern league was formed with six teams in 1997... |
Until 2009, Florence was home to the AIFL's Florence Phantoms, which debuted in the league in 2006. The Phantoms played in the Florence Civic Center.
Florence was also home to the Southern Professional Hockey League's now-Twin City Cyclones
Twin City Cyclones
Originally called the Pee Dee Cyclones, the Twin City Cyclones were a minor league ice hockey team based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. They began play in the Southern Professional Hockey League in the 2005-2006 season...
, who played from 2005 to 2007. This team was part of a two event package in 2004 to replace the now defunct Pee Dee Pride (to be the Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz) from the ECHL. The building was also the home of the South Carolina Fire Ants of Major League Roller Hockey in 1998.
Darlington Raceway
Darlington Raceway
Darlington Raceway is a race track built for NASCAR racing located near Darlington, South Carolina. It is nicknamed the "Lady in Black" and "The Track Too Tough to Tame" by many NASCAR fans and drivers and advertised as "A NASCAR Tradition"...
is officially in the Florence market, ten miles (16 km) to the west of the city, and was the home of the fourth leg of NASCAR's "Grand Slam," the Southern 500
Southern 500
The Showtime Southern 500 is the annual spring NASCAR Sprint Cup race held at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina, USA, and is the second such event at Darlington to bear the name. It began in 1957 as a race in the Convertible Division, known as the Rebel 300. In 1966, the race was...
, until the Ferko lawsuit
Ferko lawsuit
The Ferko lawsuit is a common nickname for an American lawsuit that was challenged between plaintiff Francis Ferko, a resident of Plano, Texas and a shareholder of Speedway Motorsports, Inc.'s Texas Motor Speedway, and defendants NASCAR and International Speedway Corporation , which are both owned...
eliminated the race in favor of a second race at Texas Motor Speedway
Texas Motor Speedway
Texas Motor Speedway is a speedway located in the northernmost portion of the U.S. city of Fort Worth, Texas – the portion located in Denton County, Texas....
. The NASCAR Nationwide Series Race and Sprint Cup Series Southern 500 are held on Mother's Day weekend each year.
Baseball has a long history in the Florence, dating back to 1920’s when the Florence Swamp Foxes were founded. The Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
had a minor league team that played in Florence from 1981 to 1986. Major league players Pat Borders
Pat Borders
Patrick Lance Borders is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who is best remembered for being the Most Valuable Player in the 1992 World Series. Borders also won an Olympic Games gold medal with the United States' baseball team at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney...
, Jimmy Key
Jimmy Key
James Edward "Jimmy" Key is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Toronto Blue Jays , New York Yankees , and Baltimore Orioles...
, Cecil Fielder
Cecil Fielder
Cecil Grant Fielder is a former professional baseball player who was a noted power hitter in the 1980s and 1990s. He attended college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas . He played with the Toronto Blue Jays , Detroit Tigers , New York Yankees , Anaheim Angels and Cleveland Indians...
and Fred McGriff
Fred McGriff
Frederick Stanley McGriff is a left-handed former Major League Baseball player who starred for several teams from the mid-1980s until the early 2000s. A power-hitting first baseman with a tall, lanky build, the five-time All-Star became, in , the first player since the dead-ball era to lead both...
made stops in Florence during their minor league careers. Florence's Post 1 American Legion baseball team is one of the longest tenured teams in the state, beginning in 1932. Drawing the best high school talent from all over the Pee Dee area each summer, Post 1 has had over 30 players move on the professional ranks (most notably Reggie Sanders). They have won 28 league championships and 2 state titles, and was awarded the host site for the 2008 American Legion State Tournament.
Also playing in Florence was the short-lived Florence Flame independent Class A team from the Atlantic Coast League. Adding to the tradition of baseball in Florence, the Flame led the league in attendance in 1995, their one year in existence. Today, the Coastal Plain League Florence Red Wolves carries on that long tradition. The team, founded in 1998, is a summer baseball team for SEC and ACC players from around the Southeast. The team's stadium (American Legion Stadium) was home to the 2004 All-Star game and Home Run Derby. In 2007, the Red Wolves hosted the Petitt Cup Tournament at their home field. The Red Wolves were knocked out on the first night in an 8–7 loss to Thomasville.
Media
Florence and Grand Strand share a common defined market by Nielsen Media Research in HorryHorry County, South Carolina
Horry County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. This name honored Revolutionary War Hero, Peter Horry. Brigadier General Horry was born in South Carolina sometime around 1743 and started his distinguished military career in 1775 as one of 20 captains the Provincial Congress...
, Marion, Dillon, Darlington, Marlboro, Scotland, Robeson, and Florence
Florence County, South Carolina
Florence is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was recorded to be 125,761; in 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that its population had reached 131,097. Its county seat is Florence. The county's population is about 60% urban and it comprises part of...
counties. The Florence/ Myrtle Beach Market is the 103rd largest market in the USA as defined by Nielsen Media Research. Television stations serving the area are as follows in the blue box:
Radio
Florence, along with The Pee Dee Region, makes up the 217th largest radio market in the United States. Radio stations serving the area are as follows in the blue box:Crime
According to the "Crime In the United States" publication released by the FBI, in 2010 there were 2 murders, 8 rapes, 108 robberies and 236 aggravated assaults in the Florence area. Additionally, there were 2891 property crimes, including burglaries, thefts and motor vehicle thefts. The population of the area included in the survey was 32,273.Venues
- The Florence Civic CenterFlorence Civic CenterThe Florence Civic Center is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Florence, South Carolina. It hosted the infamous eighth WWF In Your House pay-per-view in 1996, during which a storm knocked out the power and thus the broadcast signal during the event. The card was retelecast two nights later from...
…the largest convention, entertainment & exhibition facility in northeast South Carolina with over 50000 square feet (4,645.2 m²) of multipurpose space. this includes the 10,000 seat arena, the 14500 square feet (1,347.1 m²) exhibit hall and the well-appointed Pee Dee, Waccamaw and Santee meeting rooms. The SMG managed facility is the hub for entertainment and civic events for the Florence area. A six-time recipient of the Prime Site Award from Facilities magazine, voted as one of the top venues in North America, the center has the advantage of a prime location on a spacious complex at the intersection of I-95 and I-20, just a few miles from the regional airport. The center is close to dozens of national chain hotels, several of which are within walking distance. It is located just across the street from a premier shopping mall and close to a variety of award winning restaurants.
- Florence Memorial Stadium is a 7,000 seat football stadium 5 miles (8 km) to the east of the city. It is the home stadium for West Florence, Wilson, and South Florence high schools.
- Legion Field is a 3,500 seated baseball stadium located right beside Florence Memorial Stadium. This is the home of the Florence RedWolves, a college summer baseball team. It is also home of the Florence Legion team.
- Florence Visitor Center
- Florence Public Library
- Florence Museum of Art, Science and History
- Florence National CemeteryFlorence National CemeteryFlorence National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located in the city of Florence, South Carolina. It encompasses , and as of the end of 2005, had 8,853 interments.-History:...
- Florence StockadeFlorence StockadeThe Florence Stockade, also known as The Stockade or the Confederate States Military Prison at Florence, was a Confederate prisoner-of-war camp located on the outskirts of Florence, South Carolina, during the American Civil War...
- Florence Trail System
- Timrod Park
- War Between the States MuseumWar Between the States MuseumThe War Between the States Museum, in Florence, South Carolina, USA was founded in 1988 by members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. The house that the museum is in was the home of R. Frank McKain...
- Florence Regional AirportFlorence Regional Airport-History:The airport began with the purchase of of land in 1928. During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces Third Air Force used the airport as a training base and added...
- Pee Dee Farmers Market
- Darlington RacewayDarlington RacewayDarlington Raceway is a race track built for NASCAR racing located near Darlington, South Carolina. It is nicknamed the "Lady in Black" and "The Track Too Tough to Tame" by many NASCAR fans and drivers and advertised as "A NASCAR Tradition"...
- Florence Little Theatre
- Florence Flea Market
- Florence Veteran's Park
Shopping
The city of Florence is a commercial hub of the Pee DeePee Dee
The Pee Dee region of South Carolina is the northeastern corner of the state. It is the area of the lower watershed of the Pee Dee River, named after the Pee Dee Native American tribe. Its center is Florence...
region of South Carolina. Shoppers come from not only Florence
Florence County, South Carolina
Florence is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was recorded to be 125,761; in 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that its population had reached 131,097. Its county seat is Florence. The county's population is about 60% urban and it comprises part of...
and Darlington counties but from all over the Pee Dee region to Florence for a wider range of shopping.
Magnolia Mall, a regional mall is the largest shopping center in the area between Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
and Myrtle Beach. It contains over 600,000 sq. ft with over 70 stores including anchors Belk
Belk
Belk is a department store chain founded in 1888 in Monroe, North Carolina, today part of the Charlotte metropolitan area. After the founding of the first Belk store, the company grew in size and influence throughout the South via the chain in the USA, with its stores primarily located in the...
, JC Penney, Sears, Dick's Sporting Goods
Dick's Sporting Goods
Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. , or Dick's, is a Fortune 500 American corporation in the sporting goods and retail industries.The company's headquarters are on the grounds of Pittsburgh International Airport in Findlay Township near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dick's has 451 stores in 42 states as of...
, Best Buy
Best Buy
Best Buy Co., Inc. is an American specialty retailer of consumer electronics in the United States, accounting for 19% of the market. It also operates in Mexico, Canada & China. The company's subsidiaries include Geek Squad, CinemaNow, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales, and, in Canada operates...
and Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble, Inc. is the largest book retailer in the United States, operating mainly through its Barnes & Noble Booksellers chain of bookstores headquartered at 122 Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron District in Manhattan in New York City. Barnes & Noble also operated the chain of small B. Dalton...
. Other retailers include: Aéropostale
Aéropostale (clothing)
Aéropostale, Inc. is a mall-based, specialty retailer of casual apparel and accessories, principally targeting 14-to-17-year-old young women and men through its Aéropostale stores and 7-to-12-year-old kids through its P.S. from Aéropostale stores...
, American Eagle Outfitters
American Eagle Outfitters
American Eagle Outfitters is an American clothing and accessories retailer based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1977 by Mark and Jerry Silverman as a subsidiary of Retail Ventures, Inc., a company which also owned and operated Silverman's Menswear...
, Old Navy
Old Navy
Old Navy is an American clothing brand as well as a chain of stores owned by Gap, Inc., with corporate operations in San Francisco and San Bruno, California. It is one of the first major corporations to house headquarters in the new Mission Bay district of San Francisco.Gap, Inc. was run by...
, Bath & Body Works
Bath & Body Works
Bath & Body Works, LLC, is an American retail store under the Limited Brands umbrella. It was founded in 1990 in New Albany, Ohio and has since expanded across the United States and Canada. It specializes in lotions, bath items, personal care items, and home fragrances.The company launched both a...
, Charlotte Russe, The Children's Place, Express, Justice, Lane Bryant, New York & Company
New York & Company
New York & Company, Inc. is a nationwide specialty retailer of women's fashion and accessories.Lerner Shops was founded in 1918 by Samuel A. Lerner and Harold M Lane in NYC. Also born to Samuel in 1918 was Alan Jay Lerner. New York & Company, Inc., its current name under new ownership, is an...
, Victoria's Secret
Victoria's Secret
Victoria's Secret is an American retailer of women's wear, lingerie and beauty products. It is the largest segment of publicly-traded Limited Brands with sales of over US$5 billion and an operating income of $1 billion in 2006...
. There are 7 food court options and a Ruby Tuesday
Ruby Tuesday (restaurant)
Ruby Tuesday is an American casual dining restaurant chain named after the Rolling Stones' song of the same name.- History :The first restaurant was founded in 1972 by five University of Tennessee students, and is now headquartered in Maryville, Tennessee. The first location was adjacent to UT's...
attached to the mall. Outparcels on the mall property include Buffalo Wild Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar is a casual dining restaurant and sports bar franchise in the United States that is known for its Buffalo wings.-History:...
, Mellow Mushroom
Mellow Mushroom
Mellow Mushroom is a pizzeria that started in Atlanta, Georgia and operates as a restaurant franchise with over 100 locations nationwide.Mellow Mushroom specializes in pizza, but also serves calzones, hoagies, salads, and appetizers. Pizza is sold in three sizes, but slices are available during...
, Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse is an American casual dining restaurant chain based in Tampa, Florida with over 1200 locations in 22 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It was founded in February 1988 in Tampa by Bob Basham, Chris T...
, IHOP
IHOP
IHOP may refer to:* IHOP, a restaurant chain, formerly known as The International House of Pancakes* International House of Prayer, a Christian 24/7 prayer center in Kansas City, Missouri...
and Chuck E. Cheese's
Chuck E. Cheese's
Chuck E. Cheese's is a chain of family entertainment centers. Chuck E...
.
Magnolia Mall was opened in 1979 and redeveloped in 2008. The mall is located near the junction of I-95 and I-20 on David H. McLeod Blvd.
Adjacent to Magnolia Mall is Commons at Magnolia which includes Target
Target Corporation
Target Corporation, doing business as Target, is an American retailing company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the second-largest discount retailer in the United States, behind Walmart. The company is ranked at number 33 on the Fortune 500 and is a component of the Standard & Poor's...
, David's Bridal, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Kirkland's
Kirkland's
Kirkland's, Inc. is a Nashville, Tennessee based home decor retailer that specializes in furnishings, accessories and gifts. Kirkland's, Inc. consists of over 280 stores in 30 states and carries wall decor, textiles, lamps, furniture, artificial floral products and decorative...
and PetSmart
PetSmart
PetSmart, Inc. is a retail chain doing business in the United States and Canada engaged in the sale of specialty pet supplies and services such as grooming and dog training, PetSmart PetsHotel dog and cat boarding facilities and Doggie Day Care.- History :...
. Across David H. McLeod Blvd. is The Plaza at Magnolia which includes Kohl's
Kohl's
Kohl's Corporation is an American department store chain headquartered in the Milwaukee suburb of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, operating , 1,089 stores in 49 states. In 1998, it entered the S&P 500 list, and is also listed in the Fortune 500...
, The Home Depot
The Home Depot
The Home Depot is an American retailer of home improvement and construction products and services.The Home Depot operates 2,248 big-box format stores across the United States , Canada , Mexico and China, with a 12-store chain...
, Longhorn Steakhouse
LongHorn Steakhouse
LongHorn Steakhouse is a restaurant chain, with locations throughout the Eastern United States and in Puerto Rico. Most of its restaurants are in the Southern United States. It also has a few locations in the Midwest, Southwest, and Puerto Rico...
, Olive Garden
Olive Garden
Olive Garden is an American restaurant chain specializing in Italian-American cuisine. It is a subsidiary of Darden Restaurants, Inc., which is headquartered in an unincorporated area in Orange County, Florida, near Orlando. Olive Garden operates more than 730 locations globally.- History :The...
, and Chili's
Chili's
Chili's Grill & Bar is a restaurant chain founded by Larry Lavine. The chain has more than 1400 casual dining restaurants, mostly located in the United States and Canada...
.
Florence Mall is the other major shopping center in the city of Florence. Florence Mall was developed as an open air mall in the 1960s and now looks more like a shopping plaza. It contains 340,506 sq. ft. Retailers include: Stein Mart
Stein Mart
Stein Mart is a nationwide department store based in Jacksonville, Florida. The company reported a profit of nearly $24 million in 2009 with operation of 264 stores in 30 states and the District of Columbia. Stein Mart has locations primarily in the Southeast and Texas. Stein Mart's stores carry...
, Piggly Wiggly
Piggly Wiggly
Piggly Wiggly is a supermarket chain operating in the Midwestern and Southern regions of the United States, run by Piggly Wiggly, LLC, an affiliate of C&S Wholesale Grocers. The current company headquarters is in Keene, New Hampshire....
, Talbots
Talbots
Talbots is a specialty retailer and direct marketer of women’s classic clothing, shoes and accessories. Established in 1947, the company sells items such as the blazer, trench, white shirt, ballet flats and pearls....
, TJ Maxx, Shoe Carnival, Ross, etc.
Food options include: Red Bone Alley, Moe's Southwest Grill, Five Guys Burgers & Fries, Cici's Pizza, Hardee's
Hardee's
Hardee's is a restaurant chain, located mostly in the Southeast and Midwestern regions of the United States. It has evolved through several corporate ownerships since its establishment in 1960. It is currently owned and operated by CKE Restaurants. Along with its sibling restaurant chain, Carl's...
, Schlotzsky's Deli, and Cold Stone Creamery
Cold Stone Creamery
Cold Stone Creamery is an American-based ice cream parlor chain. The company, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is owned and operated by Kahala Franchising, L.L.C. The company's main product is premium ice cream, or ice cream made with approximately 12-14% butterfat, that is made on location and...
.
In addition, Florence has two Walmart Supercenters, a Sam's Club
Sam's Club
Sam's Club is a chain of membership-only retail warehouse clubs owned and operated by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., founded in 1983 and named after Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton. , the Sam's Club chain serves more than 47 million U.S. members...
, a Kmart
Kmart
Kmart, sometimes styled as "K-Mart," is a chain of discount department stores. The chain acquired Sears in 2005, forming a new corporation under the name Sears Holdings Corporation. The company was founded in 1962 and is the third largest discount store chain in the world, behind Wal-Mart and...
, and two Lowe's
Lowe's
Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a U.S.-based chain of retail home improvement and appliance stores. Founded in 1946 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the chain now serves more than 14 million customers a week in its 1,710 stores in the United States and 20 in Canada. Expansion into Canada began in...
among other retailers. Other shopping plazas
Strip mall
A strip mall is an open-area shopping center where the stores are arranged in a row, with a sidewalk in front. Strip malls are typically developed as a unit and have large parking lots in front...
/strip malls, craft/hobby stores, antique stores and mom and pop stores are spread throughout the city.