The Historic Marion Revitalization Association (HMRA) held its “Rise and Shine” fall meeting on September 10th at Anderson Brothers Bank in Marion.
Jimmy Trussell of Anderson Brothers was the host. Trussell said they were proud to show off what they had done at this bank, which was built in 1999. He said last year, they began the remodel of which Pam Anderson was an integral part. As could be seen, they did an amazing job. Trussell said the bank had been in the community since 1933 and continues to grow and invest in the community.
Kelly Page, executive director of the HMRA, talked about everything the HMRA had accomplished since the annual meeting.
Page talked about the HMRA’s popular “Meet the Merchant” videos that they have been sharing on social media. The videos help promote the businesses and what they have to offer. Some of the businesses who have participated are First Citizens Bank, Franklin Home Health, The Groundout Coffee Shop, Fred’s Barber Shop, and Martial Arts Studio, The Fudge Shoppe, and Marion Clothing Closet. Other businesses will be coming soon.
The HRMA Farmers Market is doing well. It takes place from March through November on the first, third, and fifth Saturdays of the month at the Main Street Commons area from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The Farmers Market continues to grow, and they are now up to 48 vendors.
Page said the HMRA has been working alongside Crystal Morphis, Mark Farris, and the City of Marion as part of an Economic Development Strategic Plan Steering Committee “to develop a vision and a strategic plan to identify priority projects that will help revitalize the City of Marion.” This is being funded through the S.C. Department of Commerce Rural Planning Initiative. These meetings will continue over the next few months as a comprehensive plan is developed for 2026.
The HMRA received a Spark Good grant from Wal-Mart in the amount of $2,500 in June. They are using the money to replace picnic tables that were lost to the falling wall in the Commons area and to obtain two new benches to provide additional seating. They will soon be installed in the Commons area.
Page is also working with downtown businesses getting together business cards, brochures, etc. to go into a folder to be given to new businesses locating on Main Street that shows them what downtown has to offer. In the future, they plan to do welcome gift baskets for new residents and will add this information to promote businesses downtown and increase foot traffic. They plan to do Main Street Business packets that instructs the owner what necessary forms that need to be filled out and steps that need to be taken in order to apply for permits, grants, and other information.
Page reviewed the businesses that have received façade grants. Those included:
• Marion County Public Defenders Office-Exterior Paint
• The Groundout-New Awning
• Atlas Pack ‘n’ Shop Solutions-New Front Door
• Marion Clothing Closet-Exterior Paint and Signage Mural
• The Groundout-New Awning
• U & D Fitness Studio-New Exterior Back Door
• Zeman’s Heating and Air-New Exterior Paint and Awning
• Tap on Main-New Exterior Paint
The last facade application date is November 3rd for the 2025 year. Page said the grants would not be possible without the Marion County Healthcare Foundation and the City of Marion.
Businesses who got the signage grants are Marion Hardware/Painted Sign on Building and Taps on Main. Signage grants can be applied for each month through December 2025.
Several businesses are coming to Main Street including Taps on Main, which will offer a selection of craft beers on tap and a diverse assortment of wines and froze’. They plan to open in October.
A new Mediterranean restaurant is opening hopefully by December. A bistro is opening is opening in the next three months. A lunch spot called Soups, Salads, and Sandwiches is opening in March 2026.
Sharon and CC’s Blessed Thrift Store will open in October. They will offer new and used clothes and household items at a discount.
Coco’s Closet is an upscale consignment store is
coming soon to Main Street.
She also gave the events calendar of upcoming events shown below.
Mayor Ashley Brady also offered some remarks on some of the great things going on in the city, and then everyone enjoyed refreshments and networking.

PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Johnnie Daniels/The Dillon County News, LLC













