Jim Fair
Mayor Rick Danner presents Smith & James the Mayor's Award for small business to Brandon and Bernard Price and Chip Bittner.
Jim Fair
Left to right: Mayor Rick Danner, Bernard Price, Vernon Price and Chip Bittner of Smith & James.
Jim Fair
Smith & James will celebrate it's 100th anniversary in 2016.
Jim Fair
The crowd applauds Smith & James receiving the Mayor's Award at the Small Business dinner Thursday night.
Southern Eye Associates was recognized as the Small Business of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce. The ceremony was held at City Hall.
“Smith and James has been downtown through thick and thin and has been the fabric of our community,” said Mayor Rick Danner, who initiated the award. “There’s no substitute for the service you get from Smith and James.”
The store, at 222 Trade Street, has been the anchor for businesses coming and going through the years. “At the least their longevity and commitment to the community is seen through the time and money they have contributed back to this community,” said Danner.
Bernard Price and his son, Brandon were joined by associate Chip Bittner in receiving the award.
“This is a great recognition,” said Brandon Price. “As a small business you must go out and get it.”
The 98-year-old company has served families that have roots in Greer for as long as the clothier has been in business. “We have many generations of families that do business with us,” Brandon said.
Bernard Price said the business has been good to his family. “We’ve graduated our kids and we’ve seen a lot of things come and go.”
The store has survived the outlet era, malls and Internet shopping. “People come to Greer because they are looking for something,” Price said.