By Mallory Cage
Edited by Corbin Ensminger
A few steps off Main Street, the scent of pan-roasted chicken wafts from a single-story yellow-brick building and easy conversation from people strolling the block settles effortlessly around wrought-iron tables that line the front.
This is Hamptons, which after just three years has been named one of the best restaurants in the country. It's also been central to the revitalization of Sumter, a city of just over 40,000 people that seems to have found a recipe for success.
"I see Hamptons as one of the first pieces of a much bigger puzzle of downtown development," said William Washington, the restaurant's general manager. He describes the restaurant as an "upscale American bistro with a strong Italian accent."
Hamptons is also important to Sumter's revitalization, Mayor Joseph McElveen Jr. said, because when people go downtown to eat they often spend time on Main Street, which can lead to more business for downtown shops and a greater interest in the area.
Greg Thompson and his wife, Danielle, opened Hamptons in 2009 as part of their own efforts to further Sumter's revitalization, which began when Thompson moved the headquarters of his companies, Thompson Construction Group and Thompson Industrial Services, back to his hometown's Main Street and into a 1920s-era office building the couple renovated
"After that," Danielle Thompson said, "we decided that we were going to be very active in creating business downtown." They opened Hamptons because the city did not have a fine-dining restaurant.
McElveen says bringing back Sumter's downtown has been a success "because we have recruited new industry, and I think that has to do with the progress of our renovations."
"It all comes down to the commitment of our City Council and people like Greg Thompson," he said.
The biggest contributor to revitalization is ultimately the people in the city, though "it is a big, big help if the town has a benefactor," said Mary Beth McCubbin, director of external projects at the Clemson School of Planning, Development, Preservation and Landscape Architecture
"A benefactor is a rarity though," McCubbin said. "Not a lot have that luxury."
McElveen says Greg Thompson has not been so much a benefactor, but an advocate for creating interest in the downtown and always pushing the process forward.
One thing like a restaurant or entertainment venue usually isn't enough to spur a revitalization, but if it is part of a bigger plan it can make a big impact says Beppie LeGrand, manager of Main Street S.C., part of the Municipal Association of South Carolina that helps guide towns and cities through revitalization.
"You need more than that; you need a cluster," LeGrand said.
That includes not only restaurants, but also entertainment and meeting spaces, she said. This is exactly what Howie Owens, Sumter's downtown development manager, says the city is working on.
"I envision downtown as a place where people can come to eat, see a show at the Opera House and even live," he said.
The Sumter Opera House, originally completed in 1895, is undergoing renovations, and Thompson has begun work to put 40 apartments above the shops and businesses on Main Street.
LeGrand said towns are realizing that downtown revitalization is important because prospective companies also notice what the community has to offer.
"Back in the late ‘70s, early ‘80s, the state Commerce Department would bring prospects into towns, and the prospects would say 'No' because the towns didn't have the right amenities," LeGrand said.
McElveen says Hamptons and the revitalization played a big part in bringing Continental Tire to Sumter. In October, the tire manufacturer announced it was opening its newest plant off of U.S. 521 that would bring 1,700 jobs to the area.
"Hamptons serves as both an upscale restaurant to take the prospective industry officials to and as proof of the changes the city is making," he said.
In January, Hamptons was named one of the top 100 U.S. restaurants for 2011 by Open Table, a website that lets users make reservations and write reviews.
"It's a very prestigious list, a very small club," Washington said. "I think Sumter is the heart of South Carolina, so when we get awards, get recognition, it really shows that it's not just an isolated pocket on the coast, there's more to it than that."
"I think the changes have been wonderful, a real blessing to the town," said Stan Ross, a pharmacist at Alderman Drug Co.next to Hamptons. "The changes have really increased traffic flow, and I've noticed an increase in our business as well."
Sumter's revitalization began with a streetscape project and the city's decision to demolish 20 downtown buildings. Some parcels became green space. Others were given to developers that agreed to build historically correct buildings.
"I think the Thompsons have shown their commitment to the revitalization," said Owens, the downtown development manager. "When times were down, they were putting in a brand new restaurant."
And even though continued success of the revitalization will probably lead to more restaurants, Hamptons welcomes the competition.
"Success breeds success," Washington said. "Having another successful business as competition will only make us better, which will continue to make the city better."
Hamptons restaurant was named one of the best overall restaurants in the country by OpenTable.com in January. General Manager William Washington says that there has already been an increase in the number of customers, especially on Saturday nights.
