Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Allendale County zoning administrator Joe Mole (left) and property owner Randy Rentz (right) hold the building permit for Rentz's soon-to-be restaurant in Ulmer.
A new restaurant and truck stop is under construction along Route 301 in Ulmer.
On February 2, Joe Mole, Allendale County’s zoning administrator, presented the approved building permit to Randy Rentz, who owns the property.
“We felt that this would be an inject[ion] of excitement into the community,” Mole said. “We didn't want to miss the opportunity.”
On the day that they received the permit, the construction crew had already begun assembling the building's beams.
Rentz said he wants it to be a gas stop, a convenience store, a restaurant and a beer cave, noting that Route 301 is a road frequently traveled by truckers.
“It’s everything that everybody’s been wanting around here,” Rentz said. “I’m hoping to fill the need of everybody around. People back here want somewhere to eat.”
Ulmer Mayor Ervin Mathias said he hopes the restaurant will help bring new people to Ulmer, since the construction of I-95 has reduced traffic through Allendale County.
“We're extremely pleased and happy about the reopening of a store again, a gas station or restaurant in Ulmer,” said Mathias. “We’ve had nowhere in town to go buy gas, get a loaf of bread or a jug of milk, or something to eat other than fixing it at home.”
Rentz said he aims for the restaurant to open by May 1.
Elijah de Castro is a Report for America corps member who writes about rural communities like Allendale and Barnwell counties for The People-Sentinel. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep Elijah writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today.
