Anderson is home to many thriving businesses run by entrepreneurs who were born and raised in South Carolina. In this issue we’re highlighting two businesses. Once that has run successfully in Anderson for over three decades: Anderson Area Properties. The other opened in 2017 and has become a unique staple in town, The Beehive.
We first reached out to Dave Chamblee, current Broker-in-Charge of Anderson Area Properties to learn more about their decades old business.
Anderson Area Properties (AAP) began in 1990 with Chamblee’s father, Mack Chamblee, as a cofounder alongside Alan Cannon and Tommy Miller. Dave Chamblee, a Clemson Graduate in Financial Management and a lifetime Anderson resident, had pursued a banking career before seeing the value that the real estate industry provides to the local community. Being a Realtor felt natural for Chamblee, who earned his real estate license and joined the agency in 1996, later assuming ownership in 2003.
However, running a successful business in South Carolina hasn’t always been easy. During the Great Recession, AAP was faced with uncertainty. The number of Realtors all across South Carolina dropped to half its size as the market turned. Despite this period of turmoil, AAP endured. It is a point of pride for Chamblee and the agents at AAP that the company endured and has continued to grow and thrive since then.
In the 33 years that AAP has operated, it has remained a pillar of the Anderson community. As a locally owned, non-franchised business, AAP values their Anderson roots and takes pride in their endurance and independence. With the slogan “Anderson’s Hometown Realty”, they have kept the community at the center of everything they do. “I want my clients to know I am on their side,” says Chamblee.
While the business landscape has changed drastically over the decades, Anderson Area Properties stands strong as one of the top real estate firms in the area, reflecting the passions and dedication of the Anderson community. Run by a lifelong Anderson resident, AAP has grown and thrived for 33 years, helping expand the Anderson community through local expertise and a passion for helping people find their place!
Another one of Anderson’s successful, locally-owned, business is The Beehive. Since opening in 2017, The Beehive has quickly established itself as a unique part of the Anderson community. We reached out to Katie Beth Johnson, one of the current owners of The Beehive, to learn all about it!
Born and raised here in Anderson, Jacqueline Ashley and her daughter Katie Beth Johnson felt a need for a gift shop in the community. They purchased The Beehive after falling in love with the building’s story. Built in the 1800s, the building had been a primary residence before converting into a store selling fine antiques and gifts until its closing. After being empty for years, Ashley and Johnson purchased and revitalized the space in 2013. Filled with history and southern charm, The Beehive now serves as an enchanting gift shop and event space for the community.
The Beehive’s primary goal is to help customers feel welcome. The first floor is the event space, ideal for weddings, receptions, showers, or informal gatherings, adding a touch of comfort to any special occasion. Upstairs, you can find the gift shop, where customers can find the perfect wedding presents, clothing, decor, and gifts. “We want people to feel as though they are walking into an old friend’s home,” says Johnson.
Jacqueline Ashley and Katie Beth Johnson love running a business in South Carolina. “We love to entertain,” says Johnson, who credits the company’s southern roots for the feeling of camaraderie customers often feel. “It is such a joy,” she says, “meeting new faces in our town, as well as staying in touch with so many old friends!”