Business

It’s a risk to open a new small business, even during good economic times.

But despite the current downturn in the economy, the owners of Wing King Cafe in Lancaster have been pleasantly overwhelmed at the response to its newest restaurant.

Wing King Cafe, 426 S.C. 9 Bypass East, opened Dec. 14, and the restaurant has been busy since Day 1, say owners Kim and Bobby Jones and Lori and Brad Hartley.

“Busy is a good thing,” Lori Hartley said.

Santa brought a mixed bag of gifts for area jewelry and pawn shops this holiday season.

Through December, several store owners reported a shift in the spending habits of customers.

Sales of electronics at pawn shops were better than expected, while silver replaced gold as the precious metal of choice for customers at several jewelry stores.

But due to the recession, several pawn shops have seen an influx in people selling goods to them, getting cash to stay afloat.

Living on the river doesn’t have to be expensive.

Just ask Molinda Goforth, Realtor for Pinnacle Homes, which is selling lots in the Edgewater development along the Catawba River in western Lancaster County.

Pinnacle Homes is set to construct about 200 custom homes in Edgewater, by builders Ben Russell and Crystal Hollingsworth. Goforth lives in the community herself in Pinnacle Homes’ model home.

Despite a slumping economy and a significant dip in vehicle sales nationwide, local automotive dealers say they are in good standing and are excited about what the next year may bring.

Annette Gause, owner of H&H Chevrolet in Kershaw, said over the last year, she’s had to cut expenses at the dealership to offset the 20 percent decline in sales.

However, sales are picking up and Gause believes the worst of the economic recession has passed. The dealership has not downsized at all and is at no risk to close, she said.