06/28/2022
While this post is being written, there is a feeling that words cannot convey the full scope of what it contains, means to our family, friends, or to the community as a whole. It is a bittersweet moment in time for us, as we announce that July 2, 2022 will be our last day open in Waterboro.
Since 2011, we have tried to focus on customers, quality, and value. This has always guided us in the right direction and gained us customer support from our location in Dayton, the Waterboro community, across the state, and even over state lines. 11 years ago this month, we started building our first shot in this industry. 6 years ago, we started from the ground up in Waterboro with a larger facility and more opportunity. After bring recognized for various awards, articles, and even being featured on the local news, we take a step back. Today, we sit on the glimpse of a legacy, and the end of an era...
Constantly, we have been asked how bad Covid was for us as a business? The answer is multifaceted and too complex to fully answer.
Was it easy? No. Was it Hard? Not as hard as it could be thanks to the loyal customers who kept us going. Those who kept our spirits high for the hard work we put in as a family with nearly no crew. We can always look back and say “Yeah, we did that...” We got through the pandemic without closing, handouts, and came back almost as strong as when we entered it.
We have always put ourselves up to the task, and tried to do what we can to make the best out of situations and carry on. At this point (like most out there) we struggle with the increased cost of supplies, the lack of availability, the limitations of staffing, the immense increase in fuel and utility costs, and if that wasn’t enough, an ongoing lack of facilities maintenance. As we struggle to not pass the cost of the burden on to the customers, we cannot maintain a business in an unsafe, mismanaged building. It is time for us to move on as the days grow long and we are growing older.
Although this is a farewell, it is not goodbye forever. We may not be standing under a roof in Waterboro anymore, but we will not go away from the industry completely. Watch for our product line featuring our ‘47 Sauce, in a store near you. We will continue to explore more direct to store products, and may appear from time to time.
We will miss the friends we have made and the memories of the decade long experience we had the privilege of living through. We really wish you all well and thank you all for the support over the years.
~The Carpenter Family ~
