By Brandon Roberts
ST. STEPHEN — A downtown lot left vacant since a 2017 fire is now the focus of a major revitalization effort aimed at transforming Main Street in St. Stephen into a hub for community gatherings and small business growth.
On Saturday, June 28, local residents, elected officials and national partners gathered at 1152 and 1154 S. Main St. to announce the beginning of “The Sheds on Main” project, a new community park and business incubator. The project received $50,000 from a T-Mobile Hometown Grant, one of 25 awarded nationwide in the latest round and the only one in South Carolina.
The initiative is led by St. Stephen Growth & Development Inc. in partnership with Lean LC, the property owner. It will feature green space, a stage for performances, picnic areas, and a food truck court designed to support small business activity and public engagement.
“This isn’t just about a grant or a check,” said Michele Stosick, board secretary of St. Stephen Growth & Development. “It’s about vision, perseverance and belief in the power of community.”
The property was once home to Keller Hardware, a longtime staple of downtown St. Stephen. The building burned down on Aug. 26, 2017, leaving behind only three barrel-vaulted lumber sheds. The site has remained vacant since the fire.
Saturday’s ceremony drew dozens of attendees and featured food vendors Southern SC Charmz and Deez Nuts Boiled Peanuts, with music provided by DJ Jan Jan. The event was attended by public officials, including St. Stephen Mayor Johnny Rivers, town council members Stanley Tucker, Roderick Sumpter and Winston Williams, state Rep. Harriet Holman and Berkeley County Council member Caldwell Pinckney Jr.
Stosick noted the historical significance of the property and its role as a community hub during critical moments, such as after Hurricane Hugo.
Derwin Broughton, a St. Stephen native and co-owner of the site through Lean LC, shared personal memories of the former hardware store and his vision for the space.