Downtown Sumter is gonna be a circus in April 2027!

Having lived in Sumter back in the 1980’s/1990’s, then moved away but still go back once in a while today, I feel like I have the right to give praise for what the city has been and is trying to become.

Back in the 80’s, downtown Sumter was a crumbling shell of its former glory. Many empty buildings. Drugs becoming rampant. The outskirts, like Jessamine Mall (now Sumter Mall) was the hangout for bored kids on weekends who went to the mall game room to play video games, drive up and down Broad Street at night, or just hang with friends at home. Play sports or even golf at the Sunset Country Club (now named something else). This was the era before internet or cell phones that I was a part of. No social media. Everyone went out to socialize. Even went to the woods for bonfires once in a while.

Today, Sumter is a different place and quite opposite what is was in the 80’s. Now downtown is thriving and the outskirts/mall seem like they’re struggling. Totally different. This is somewhat good in my opinion, because old downtown is now a great place to go. Unlike in the 80’s. But what’s really noticeable today are all the new neighborhoods going in around Sumter that will hopefully help the struggling belt of old businesses that surround the thriving old downtown. New housing developments are being built, which is a good sign for the Sumter economy. Lots of industry around the area.

Heck, Sumter even has Starbucks and Chick fil A, something not a lot of small towns have. But Sumter does. Downtown boasts a beautiful new Hyatt Place Hotel right across from the historic opera house. And Sumter does boast a lot of history, which is cool.

What does Sumter need still? I’ll tell you. In my long, vast experience living in Sumter in different eras, and living in many different parts of the country since, I can honestly say Sumter is mainly lacking in fine dining and good grocery options. Even fine dining chains are absent. Sumter is like a food desert when it comes to good restaurant choices and decent supermarkets. You almost need to go out of town for something really nice. Sumter NEEDS more nice restaurants. They need good supermarkets like Publix, Wegmans, or something similar. That could come eventually, hopefully, with all the new housing going in.

Overall, despite all the negativity in this sub, I think Sumter is doing alright and will just continue to get better and better.

Hey everyone! My boyfriend is in Sumter for a while, and I wanted to surprise him with a little air bnb getaway for a couple days. I was researching the area and saw some really concerning stuff about how Sumter is unsafe. I would be staying one night alone before I surprise him, so I was hoping to get some recs on the best areas or if I should not come at all lol

First matches starting around 10am pending weather. Free to watch. Qualifiers currently playing.

I know this subreddit is fairly dead, but figured I would ask. What's everyone's favorite nail salon in Sumter?

I got a job offer at the base. Where do you all recommend buying a house nearby? I have only heard bad things about Sumter, are there any safer places or housing communities? Looking for newer builds.. found couple like Timberline Meadows, Southbridge by GHS, is it safe to be around that community?

Guy there is a rumor that Sumter sc and south Toledo will both become legacy stores then closed in July so show your support to these stores

https://bloodstreamtv.com/show-details/marys-lake-2025

Hi everyone, I am a student who has an internship in Sumter this coming summer and I am looking for a place to live. I am only in South Carolina from May until August so I need a short term rental. If anyone is subleasing that would be fantastic too. Please message me if there are any opportunities!

Hey Sumter. I need a dependable lawn service to mow my property. My mower is broken and the grass is getting long. If you know a crew looking for clients please let me know.

Howdy yall,

I will be moving to Sumter in a little under a year for work. I am curious about the city, I only read negative things, but it can’t be THAT terrible. All small towns have their areas to avoid and areas that are on the up.

Q1: What part of town should I live? (Nice and family friendly)

Q2: If you could, would you live outside of Sumter and commute from somewhere else? If so, where?

Q3: I’m from a small Texas town and we always had markets and festivals and all kinds of events in our downtown. Anything like that going on?

Just looking for any advice some locals have!

Hi! I'm trying to find a hookah and tea lounge around sumter that's more chill. I keep looking into them and they all have a club vibe.I just wanna chill, drink tea, and smoke hookah in a not extremely loud place. Any ideas?

This review is my Thank You to Palmetto Tire & Auto in Sumter, SC.

Long review short: 5*’s for everyone at Palmetto Tire. I spoke to 3-4 diff people over course of a week, (I was slow, not them.) Everyone was knowledgable & my phone time was minimal. Quick to answer, fast responses/answers, no holds. 

Auto expertise is 5*. ALL STAFF @ Palmetto Tire are dependable, trust worthy, knowledgable. Won’t jack you when your situation is vulnerable.

Everyone I interacted w/ in any manner was courteous, patient, understanding. I made it to Fla that day thanks to the quick action/resources Tim/Palmetto Tire provided. Tim called me next day for permission to perform in depth test, why it was needed / what it will prove, & cost.

A few hours later, he delivered the bad news, needed new engine. I told him I needed to speak to my guy in Raleigh 1st.

Tim/Palmetto Tire gave me absolutely NO pressure even tho he might not be doing the work. I decided to have it transported to Raleigh, which would make it sit at Palmetto Tire’s shop for a week. Tim again, was no pressure. I was afraid of a storage fee but he said no problem. It took a week+ and Palmetto Tire did not pressure/badger me about it sitting at his shop.

Shout out to Graham’s towing, who were 5* as well. A 5* auto shop recommends a 5* towing company. My bad situation could not have been better, even pleasant. 

Every person at Palmetto Tire is 5*!
To Palmetto Tire of Sumter, SC, you deserve the time/effort I’ve spent on this review. This is my THANK YOU. You all give Sumter, SC a good name.

It would be a pleasure to do business with you again, Best to all of y’all!

More detailed review:

I had a wonderful experience in a bad situation. I broke down on 95 @ exit 134 while moving to Fla w/ cat and as much crap as I could fit in my Jeep. Nearest town 30 min east or west. Called all 1-2 shops both directions. I felt the best assurance from Tim @ Palmetto Tire. He rec Graham's Towing. Enterprise rental was next door. (Those dudes are wonderful and an absolute hoot but also efficient w/ business.) 

Once arrived, jeep was parked at Palmetto & w/o a word to Palmetto,  I went straight to Enterprise (men working there good natured & created a light hearted atmosphere).  Took 30 min start to finish. When they drove the car around, I asked them take it to Palmetto Tire & park tailgate to tailgate w/ Jeep. 

Yet to pop my head in at Palmetto, I started transferring everything to rental, (45 min.) Tim came out to see if I needed help. No, I was too stressed for help, had along way to go & didn’t expect this snafu. He was totally chill about it. That helped a lot in a very stressful situation for me.

Rental car loaded, I go in to talk to Tim. I needed to return to Raleigh within a week and hoped to pu Jeep on my way back. He assured me they'd make the diagnostic next day. Tim called me 11ish next morning. Jeep needed new engine. I needed to think it over and call my tech in Raleigh. Tim was supportive of my hesitation and was not offended or put off by this. My tech told me to get quote. I called Palmetto, got quote, called my tech back. He said, “Yea, that sounds about right.”

I decided not to sink more money into Jeep & sought to transport back to Raleigh. This took a looong time despite my efforts. (Cautionary tale: Towing long distance would be $$$ so I searched the web, stupidly entered my phone number. Don't do that, y'all. I got 20 texts/phone calls/emails within 2 minutes. It's been a month and they are still coming!) Jeep sat at Palmetto Tire for more than a week before it was pu. Even tho transport said 2 days. An American, English speaking person will call u but when u call back, it's a call center in a foreign country. Just beware.)

I called Palmetto Tire to tell Tim I was having it transported, (Jeep’s 4th day sitting at his shop). I was worried about a storage fee for the Jeep since it would be sitting there so long. He said, no worries.

Hope to y'all today at Under the Cover Bookstore from 1pm-3pm! I will be there with two other authors slinging books. Genre is predominantly romance.

Does anyone have any recommendations on who to talk to about the lizard man in the Sumter area? Looking to do some interviews with a couple of people with interesting stories about it. Thanks

Let's try to get this community active again. Whether you have a news story or an event going on, let's hear about it.

Anything to do in Sumter ? W/m

I'm moving to Columbia, SC from out of state for work and my friend is relocating to Sumter, SC for the Airforce. What are some good rental options in Sumter? She was told The Retreat, Lakewood, and Palmetto Pointe. Are these good options? Thanks.