That’s because Whitmire-born Chris Epps and his family who run the store, believe the business should not only sell things, but give to the community they’re in.
“We just think the whole community needs an uplift,” says Carol Epps, wife of Chris and store co-owner with Doris Abernathy, Chris Epps’ mother.
Low Storehouse prices may help some needing an economic uplift.
At the front of the store are colorful dangly earrings on a rotation display. Most are priced under a dollar. Handbags are near the earrings, and at the cashier, ties are rolled up with matching cufflinks in box sets.
Groceries, toiletries and basic drugstore items take up the majority of the store.
Generally you can find most things under $2 to $3 dollars, Chris Epps said.
A small selection of political, Christian and sleepwear shirts are also available, as well as event goods and services such as customized announcements and invitations, silk floral arrangements, gift and basket wrapping, balloons, cards, home and event interior decorating and room rental.
A room off to the back of the shop, The Gathering Place, which hosts events, is available for rental.
Additionally, Chris Epps says The Storehouse is preparing for two more services. One is a payment center so the people of Whitmire don’t have to drive to Newberry to pay utility bills.
“There are a lot of people who are elderly or disabled, so we’re trying to be a halfway place to pay utility bills,” said Chris Epps. “We’re going through the authorization process now.”
The other Storehouse service slated for the future is a hair station. Two beauty shop chairs are already set up at the back of the store, soon to be accompanied by other barbershop items.
“We’re looking for someone with a license to do hair so it can be fixed up and running, “said Chris Epps.
But for now, The Storehouse is mainly a place for groceries and such, or just the curious.
“I’ve been passing by and wanted to stop by,” said one new customer last week.
Chris Epps and the woman chat as afternoon sunlight streams though the large storefront windows onto the groceries and floor.
The woman tells Chris Epps she remembers back when his mother, Abernathy, lived in Whitmire.
Chris Epps and his mother lived in California for more than 20 years and only recently returned to their Whitmire hometown this summer.
The family reworked the old Duke Power building and opened its dual operation 99¢ & Up Storehouse and The Gathering Place Nov. 21.
“It was always her dream to come back,” says Chris Epps.
And Abernathy came back to give back.
Recently, the store distributed 10 holiday baskets of food to area families in need.
Chris Epps says it’s only phase one of the project, Reach and Restore.
The family also has monthly outreach events in its Gathering Place.
They hope to live up to their biblical “Storehouse” name, which Chris Epps says in Bible times represented a hub that provided for community needs.
Epps recalls the other week when a customer came in looking down and out. The customer was sad because no one had mentioned his birthday.
Chris Epps told him happy birthday, encouraged him to relax and enjoy the day and gave him free candy.
Like his mother, goodwill is his goal.
“Hey, this is my hometown and I want to be able to bring something back,” said Chris Epps.
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