Foodland held its grand opening on Saturday Jan. 16. Although the store has been in the community for over 40 years, new owner Eric Campbell wanted to have a special day for regular and potential customers.
Throughout the day, the Campbell family randomly handed out $50 gift cards to customers who came to the store’s grand opening. Foodland is also giving away one $100 gift card each day this week. To be in the drawing, a customer must spend $25 or more in the store.
Antoinette Kinsey officiated the grand opening, welcoming Bank of the Lowcountry representatives and other invited dignitaries.
Rev. JaDon Buckner began the program with prayer for Campbell and the success of his business.
City of Walterboro council member Judy Bridge welcomed the public and congratulated Campbell on his new business venture. “I have known Eric Campbell for a long time, and I know he has a deep love for God, this nation and this community. He will serve us well and deserves our support,” said Bridge. “I have already seen his commitment to the business; he has remodeled, expanded products and served his customers.”
Rev. Philip Taylor, vice chairman of Colleton County Council, also spoke for several minutes about the new changes in the store and how important thriving grocery stores are to the community, especially during Covid. “Mr. Campbell tries to speak to every customer and knows many by name. Foodland has been a friend to Walterboro for many years, and with Eric Campbell, his family and team at the helm, we can already see your prowess to help beautify and advance this establishment,” said Taylor. “Thank you for being a role model in the community.”
Al Jenkins, the regional director for U.S. Senator Tim Scott, spoke about the difficulties and stress of opening a new business. “Many towns have no grocery stores. You have a store here in a pandemic. Campbell has taken on the responsibility to make sure there is food on people’s tables in this difficult time,” said Jenkins. “We need to support him.”
Campbell took over Foodland in 2020.
“I believe that it was by God’s grace that I got this store. I want to help teens with jobs and be a role model, as well as help with the food bank through the church, and things like that. I have always wanted to give back, but now I can do that,” said Campbell.
Campbell’s first job as a teen, was working at Piggly Wiggly. He went on to do a variety of other things, but never forgot his experiences in the grocery business. So when the opportunity to own Foodland came open, he couldn’t pass it up. He began to consider it in January of last year, and closed on July 15, 2020. But all along, he planned on having a very special grand opening.
“This a community store. This store has always been locally owned, and I have been here all my life,” said Campbell. “Our focus is on cleanliness, wonderful meat here managed by David Breland, as well as produce with Harvell Breland. And as long as we provide excellent customer service with the help of Gene Drawdy, people will come back,” Campbell said.
“I want everyone to know that this is their community store,” said Campbell.
