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Helping Seniors Make Better-Informed Medicare Decisions
Trying to pick a health insurance plan can be a chore for anyone. For many people, just mentioning the word "open enrollment" sends shivers down the spine. It seems like there's always a nagging feeling that you're wasting money, choosing a plan with poor in-network care, or both. One would think that health insurance gets easier as you approach retirement age, but the truth is that picking an initial Medicare coverage plan can be daunting.
Unfortunately, the confusing process of signing up for Medicare causes many seniors to forego healthcare coverage altogether. After all, Medicare enrollment can involve several federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration (or SSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (or CMS).
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, our passion is guiding seniors through the confusion of Medicare. That way, they can enjoy retirement with peace of mind knowing they are protected and ready for life after 65. We work with dozens of insurance companies, giving our clients the chance to choose a plan that best fits their lifestyle.
We choose to design our senior insurance plans with a focus on optimal benefits structure, lower costs, and personalized service. Some independent insurance agencies see their aging customers as nothing more than a financial transaction waiting to happen. In contrast, we treat each of our clients with respect and dignity as we help them navigate the confusing waters of Medicare. Combined with individualized service, we help older Americans make well-informed decisions about insurance. Whether you're in need of senior Medicare Supplement Plan insurance in Rock Hill or simply have questions about signing up for Medicare, our team is here to help.
Service Areas
What is Medicare?
If you're approaching the golden years of your life, it's important you understand what Medicare is if you don't already.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program reserved for people older than 65 who have worked full-time for at least ten years. The Medicare program is paid for by a combination of worker payroll tax, premiums paid by Medicare enrollees, and the U.S. government.
There are four parts of Medicare:
This type of Medicare is free for most U.S. citizens. Medicare Part A helps older adults pay for care in a nursing facility, hospital visits, and some forms of in-home senior care.
This tier costs around $100 per month. It covers different outpatient services like lab tests, preventative care, doctor's visits, mental health care, clinical trials, and some forms of surgery.
This type of Medicare is most often called Medicare Advantage. This tier of Medicare allows seniors to choose health plans provided by insurance companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Individuals who use Medicare Advantage commonly use Medicare supplement plan insurance to help pay for health care costs that Original Medicare won't cover, like coinsurance, deductibles, and copayments.
Sometimes called "PDPs," these plans add drug coverage to standard Medicare, some Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS), some Medicare Cost Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans (MSA).
The amount of money you pay for your health care depends on several factors, including:
- What kind of care you need, and how often it is needed.
- The type of Medicare coverage you choose.
- Whether there are alternative insurance policies that will help fill gaps in your coverage
- Whether a doctor agrees to charge you the same amount that Medicare will cover for a medical service
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, we offer a number of health insurance solutions for seniors. Two of our most used services include Medicare Advantage plan insurance and Medicare supplement plan insurance.
Senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Rock Hill
Sometimes called Medigap, the purpose of Medicare Supplement Insurance is to help fill in "gaps" that might not be covered by Original Medicare. You can think of a Medigap policy as a supplement for your Original Medicare benefits.
Private companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services sell this type of insurance right here in South Carolina. While Original Medicare will pay for much of the cost associated with health care services you need, it may not cover all of your expenses. Generally, Medigap policies do not cover costs stemming from eyeglasses, private-duty nurses, dental care, hearing aids, or long-term care.
Depending on the Medicare Supplement Plan that you choose, it may cover out-of-the-country medical services when you travel abroad. Assuming you have Original Medicare coverage, your policy will cover its share of Medicare-approved health care costs. Once your Original Medicare coverage reaches its limit, your Medigap policy will pay its share of the fees.
Our Medigap policies are drafted to meet your specific needs, and can help cover remaining health care costs such as:
Deductibles
Copayments
Coinsurance
Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance
To dispel some confusion, you should know that a Medigap policy is not the same as a Medicare Advantage Plan. The latter helps you receive Medicare benefits, while the former supplements the benefits you obtain through your Original Medicare plan. As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
- To qualify for a Medigap policy, you must first have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
- Payments on your Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan will be made to the private insurance company that you choose, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. These payments are made every month and are paid in addition to the monthly payment you make for Medicare Part B.
- If you are the holder of a Medicare Advantage Plan, it is illegal for an insurance company to sell you a senior Medicare Supplement Policy. If you plan on switching back to an Original Medicare plan, you may be able to purchase a Medigap policy.
- If you have health problems as you age, your standardized Medigap policy is guaranteed to be renewable. So long as you pay your monthly premium, your insurance provider cannot cancel your policy.
- Medigap policies only cover one person. If you have a spouse or family member that would like coverage, they must purchase a separate policy.
- You may only buy a Senior Medicare Supplement Plan from an insurance agent that is licensed to sell them in your state. Senior Medicare Insurance Services has been licensed to sell Medigap policies in South Carolina for years. We have helped countless seniors get the Medicare coverage they need and continue to do so to this day.
- In the past, Medigap policies were able to cover costs related to prescription drugs. As of January 1st, 2006, prescription drug coverage is not available on Medicare Supplement Plans. The best way to get coverage for your prescription drugs is to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, often called Part D. Contact our office today to learn more about paying premiums on Medigap and Medicare plans.
For many people, the best time to buy senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Rock Hill is during the 7 months Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This period starts the day you turn 65 years old, so long as you hold Medical Insurance (Medicare Part B). Generally, during the enrollment period, you get more policy choices and better pricing. Once the enrollment period is over, you may not be able to purchase a Medigap policy. Contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services today to determine if you qualify for a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan.
Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance in Rock Hill, SC
A Medicare Advantage Plan is a kind of Medicare health coverage designed to provide seniors with all their Part A and Part B Medicare benefits. Many Medicare Advantage Plans will often include coverage of the following:
- Preferred Provider Organizations
- Special Needs Plans
- Private Fee-for-Service
- Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans
- Health Maintenance Organizations
In addition, most Medicare Advantage Plans give seniors coverage for their prescription drug needs. When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan through Senior Medicare Insurance Services, your Medicare benefits are covered through your plan and will not be paid for by traditional Medicare.
How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
Sometimes called "MA Plans" or "Part C," Medicare Advantage Plans are considered an "all in one" solution to Original Medicare. Senior Medicare Advantage Plans are only offered by private companies that are approved, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Seniors who enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan are still on Medicare. However, these individuals enjoy bundled plans that give seniors the benefits of hospital insurance (Medicare Part A), medical insurance (Medicare Part B), and sometimes drug coverage (Part D).
Medicare Advantage Plans are very popular because they cover all Medicare services and make life a little easier for seniors who have trouble understanding the nuances of Medicare.
When you contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services to choose your Medicare Advantage Plan, ask your agent about Medicare prescription drug coverage. Unless you already have drug coverage (Part D), you should seriously consider Part D coverage to help reduce costs associated with prescription drugs. You may also want to consider a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan to help fill gaps in coverage that Original Medicare will not cover.
Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance Rules
Medicare works by paying a set amount of money to the companies that offer senior Medicare Advantage Plan insurance in Rock Hill. That money is used to pay for the care services that you need. Because Medicare Advantage Plans are different, you should expect out-of-pocket costs to vary depending on the plan you choose.
Different plans have different rules for how you receive services, such as:
If you must go to facilities, suppliers, or doctors that belong to your Advantage Plan for non-urgent and non-emergency care.-
Whether you must get a referral to see a specialized doctor
Companies that offer Medicare Advantage Plans must follow strict rules, which are set by Medicare and can change every year.
Paying for Your Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance
How much you pay for your Medicare Advantage Plan varies and depends on a few different factors. In most cases, if you need a kind of medical service, you will need to rely on the doctors and providers in your plan's service area and network to pay the lowest amounts. In some cases, if you choose to use a service outside of your plan's network of coverage, you may have to pay out-of-pocket.
We encourage you to contact our office today to learn more about Medicare Advantage Plans, how they work, what your options are, and how often you will have to pay out-of-pocket, if at all.
The Senior Medicare Insurance Services Commitment
Since our company was founded, we have led the insurance industry by providing our clients with the most valuable, helpful insurance solutions available. We are fully committed to our current and prospective clients by:
Choosing to focus on personalized, one-on-one service. When you work with our team, know that we will always design your health insurance plan with your best interests in mind.-
Listening to your specific needs. -
Responding to all inquiries and questions promptly and with a friendly attitude. -
Providing you with the best customer service in the senior health insurance industry, whether you have questions or are ready to move forward with a Medicare plan.
Our mission is to help give seniors the best Medicare assistance available so that they may understand the Medicare process and make an informed health coverage decision. We have the knowledge, skills, and experience to assist anyone interested in Medicare. Our personal goal is to become a lifetime resource for our clients and give them greater confidence in choosing their insurance plans.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 82 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
Latest News in Rock Hill, SC
Best Internet Providers in Rock Hill, South Carolina
CNEThttps://www.cnet.com/home/internet/best-internet-providers-in-rock-hill-sc/
What is the best internet provider in Rock Hill?Comporium is Rock Hill's best internet service provider, mostly by default, as it's essentially the only high-speed ISP available. That said, Rock Hill residents shouldn't feel "stuck" with Comporium. Speeds, pricing and overall value are decent, especially if your address is eligible for t...
What is the best internet provider in Rock Hill?
Comporium is Rock Hill's best internet service provider, mostly by default, as it's essentially the only high-speed ISP available. That said, Rock Hill residents shouldn't feel "stuck" with Comporium. Speeds, pricing and overall value are decent, especially if your address is eligible for the fiber-optic side of the service. There's also the convenience and pleasantness of dealing with a local company.
There’s a lack of competition, sure, but Comporium has both the cheapest internet and fastest speeds available in Rock Hill. Service starts at $30 to $40 per month for download speeds up to 100 megabits per second, and those eligible for fiber internet service can now get speeds up to 2,000Mbps.
If you’re eager for alternatives, fixed wireless internet from T-Mobile Home Internet or Verizon 5G Home Internet may be available. Each service is decent in its own right, as you’ll find T-Mobile to have slightly better availability, while Verizon has lower intro pricing and faster max speeds.
Our methodology
CNET considers speeds, pricing, customer service and overall value to recommend the best internet service in Rock Hill across several categories. Our evaluation includes referencing a proprietary database built over years of reviewing internet services. We validate that against provider information by spot-checking local addresses for service availability. We also do a close read of providers' terms and conditions and, when needed, will call ISPs to verify the details.
Despite our efforts to find the most recent and accurate information, our process has some limitations you should know about. Pricing and speed data are variable: certain addresses may qualify for different service tiers, and monthly costs may vary, even within a city. The best way to identify your particular options is to plug your address into a provider's website.
Also, the prices, speed and other information listed above and in the provider cards below may differ from what we found in our research. The cards display the full range of a provider's pricing and speed across the US, according to our database of plan information provided directly by ISPs, while the text is specific to what's available in Rock Hill. The prices referenced within this article's text come from our research and include applicable discounts for setting up automatic payments each month -- a standard industry offering. Other discounts and promotions might also be available for things like signing a term contract or bundling with multiple services.
To learn more about how we review internet providers, visit our full methodology page.
Best internet in Rock Hill, South Carolina
3 Internet providers
Best internet provider in Rock Hill, SC
Our take - As a Comporium (fiber) customer, I’ve had consistent speeds and few issues, if any, over six years of service. Even better, my bill has increased by only about $15. Not everyone will have the same experience, of course, but I’m pleased enough with my service to genuinely recommend it.
...
Check with Comporium
Compare
Connection
Cable, fiber
Price range
$30 - $120
Show more details
Best fixed wireless internet in Rock Hill, SC
Our take - With a simple setup and straightforward pricing, Verizon 5G Home Internet offers speeds ranging from 50 to 300Mbps or 85 to 1,000Mbps, depending on your chosen plan. The overall value will depend on available speeds, but there are no contract requirements, so you can try it out risk-free to see what speeds you can get.
Check with Verizon
Compare
Connection
Fixed wireless
Speed range
85 - 1,000 Mbps
Show more details
Best fixed wireless coverage in Rock Hill, SC
Our take - Verizon is cheaper and potentially faster, but T-Mobile Home Internet has the availability advantage in Rock Hill. Roughly 60% of the city is eligible for home internet service, according to recent FCC data, making it the most widely available alternative to Comporium in the area.
..
Check with T-Mobile
Compare
Connection
Fixed wireless
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Rock Hill
The best internet deals and the top promotions in Rock Hill depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Rock Hill internet providers, such as Comporium or T-Mobile Home Internet, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, however, including Verizon 5G Home Internet, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you're looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you'll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here's an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines -- and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Rock Hill
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
But it doesn’t end there. We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
While the answers to those questions are often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
National Signing Day tracker for Rock Hill area high schools. Who’s going where next season?
Michael Burgesshttps://www.heraldonline.com/sports/high-school/article285064897.html
The first Wednesday of February is a special day for many high school athletes — It’s National Signing Day, the day on which high school athletes can announce their commitments to continue their athletic careers in college.The tri-county area’s depth of athletic talent was on full display when more than 75 athletes committed to colleges around the country.Buford had two signees from its football program: Wide receiver Aaron Morris and long snapper Ricky Mckinnon both committed to Newberry.Morris said he...
The first Wednesday of February is a special day for many high school athletes — It’s National Signing Day, the day on which high school athletes can announce their commitments to continue their athletic careers in college.
The tri-county area’s depth of athletic talent was on full display when more than 75 athletes committed to colleges around the country.
Buford had two signees from its football program: Wide receiver Aaron Morris and long snapper Ricky Mckinnon both committed to Newberry.
Morris said he chose Newberry because of its proximity to home, and him attending with a high school teammate sweetens the deal even more.
“Yeah, it does a lot,” Morris said. “It makes you feel more at home.”
Andrew Jackson also had two football players sign Wednesday: Receiver Banks Helms committed to Brevard and tight end Hayden Williams to Limestone.
Athletes of this caliber are a major boost to any team, and not just for their teammates.
“We had a really good senior class, we had 16 seniors,” said Jeremy Smith, who finished his first season as the Volunteers’ head coach this past fall. “The underclassmen, they all bought into what these guys did because of the success they had the year before, and they had bought into that and bought into what kind of players these guys were and they stepped up. These two, Banks and Hayden, they were voted captains and leaders, and it does make your job easier as a coach when it’s more player-led than coach-led. They did a good job of that this year.”
Some signees, like Lewisville two-sport athlete and Clemson baseball commit Dion Brown, still have their senior seasons to play.
Brown said that there’s been some friendly jabs between him and his father, Sheldon Brown, a University of South Carolina football alum, and his best friend, fellow Lewisville two-sport athlete and USC baseball commit Cade Pilgrim. But Brown said that he’s happy with where he decided to attend college.
“They showed me real love since the day I stepped on campus for a camp,” Brown said. “I had a great relationship with Coach (Monte) Lee, but unfortunately, he (got fired). Then Coach (Erik) Bakich came in, he was talking to me. Coach (Nick) Schnabel, I talked to all of them. Built a good relationship with them, and then just really went from there, and it felt the same as with Coach Lee.”
South Pointe signee Zantwan ‘Boss’ Nelson had a magical 24-hour window.
After hitting two game-winning free throws to beat rival Northwestern and secure a playoff spot for the Stallions on Tuesday night, Nelson announced his commitment to play football at Hampton University on Wednesday afternoon.
“It’s awesome, it’s awesome,” he said. “You have to take it all in, take it day by day, and never give up on yourself. I feel like (Hampton) is going to be a great fit for me, and I can’t wait to get on campus and work.”
An often-unsung hero of signing days is the athletic director.
They work with athletes to best put them in position to succeed in high school and beyond.
“It feels good, man,” South Pointe athletic director Carlos Richardson said. “Coaches have their season, athletes have their season, but this is kind of my season. Where you want to make sure you’re getting kids where they need to be, but that starts off in the classroom. We’re blessed right now to have student-athletes with great GPAs that we can go out and advocate for them to make sure they can get to the next level.”
Here is a list of student-athletes who have announced their commitments.
Hayden Williams (Football) – Limestone University
Banks Helms (Football) – Brevard College
Ricky Mckinnon (Football) – Newberry College
Aaron Morris (Football) – Newberry College
Aiden Cattarin (Baseball) – Florence-Darlington Technical College
Peyton Dhein (Baseball) – Virginia Military Institute
Brennan Helms (Baseball) – Francis Marion University
Jackson Mullen (Baseball) – College of Charleston
Owen Noonan (Baseball) – Winthrop University
Ben Wilson (Baseball) – Coker University
Dominic Rigoni (Cross Country) – Francis Marion University
Hailey Smith (Dance) – Erskine College
Kyleen Bents (Girls Soccer) – East Carolina University
Sadie Commeford (Girls Soccer) – East Tennessee State University
Peyton Pierson (Girls Soccer) – Mars Hill University
Sarah Sexton (Girls Soccer) – Furman University
Chloe Burger (Softball) – USC Upstate
Audrey Wilson (Softball) – UNC Charlotte
Jake Root (Swimming) – Lynn University
Amelia Nifong (Track) – Columbia College
Olivia Dubrow (Track) – Lehigh University
Elijah Coleman (Football) – TBD
Reggie Heath (Football) – Newberry College
Antonio Hopkins (Football) – Union College
Brayden Woolbright (Football) – Charleston Southern University
Zachary Cheatham (Football) – University of Charleston
Neal Farris (Football) – East Tennessee State University
Deontae Starr (Football) – Lenior-Rhyne
Gabriella Watkins (Dance) – Erskine College
Gavin Brandwood (Football) – Elon University
Remington Clark (Cycling) – Milligan University
Thomas Ealey (Baseball) – Virginia State
MacKenzie Finn (Golf) – Belmont Abbey College
Elijah Grant (Track) – Howard University
Landon Kurtz (Football) – University of South Carolina
Isaac Peña (Baseball) – Snead State
Logan Sulli (Baseball) – Florence-Darlington Technical College
Jack Ammann (Boys Soccer) – Lander University
Hannah Nerdinsky (Girls Soccer) – Coker University
Siena Wilson (Girls Soccer) – University of Mount Olive
Jaxon Scheidt (Football) – Newberry College
Jake Recker (Football) – University of South Carolina
Trey Rodriguez (Football) – Johnson C. Smith University
KJ Davis (Football) – South Carolina Central Christian College
Montre Fletcher (Football) – South Carolina Christian College
Natarious McCullough (Football) – Limestone
Cade Foster (Football) – Brevard
Junior Howze (Football) – Averett
JaQuintus Cousar (Football) – South Carolina Central Christian College
Cade Pilgrim (Baseball) – University of South Carolina
Dion Brown (Baseball) – Clemson University
Mia Royall (Track/Cross Country) – West Point
Vance Ventry (Football) – Newberry College
Elijah Sanders (Baseball) – Florence-Darlington Technical College
Jackson Switzer (Clay Shooting) – Montreat College
Garrett Brown (Distance Running) – Clemson University
Sierra Faulkner (Volleyball) – Clinton College
Xavier Preston (Football) – Newberry College
Mikey Mann (Football) – Newberry College
Daniel Caldwell (Football) – Johnson C. Smith University
Zantwan Nelson (Football) – Hampton University
CJ Dixon (Football) – Catawba College
Malachi Marshall (Football) – Stony Brook University
Ayden Davis (Football) – North Carolina Central University
DeMaurion Stewart (Football) – Livingston College
Zadarrius Carter (Football) – Livingston College
Tay McClure (Football) – St. Andrews College
Michael McConnell (Football) – St. Andrews College
Trey Wanger (Football) – Catawba College
Najib Yunasah (Football) – Catawba College
Dalton Russell (Football) – Limestone College
Bryson Steele (Football) – Wingate College
Debo Hall (Football) – Presbyterian College
Hunter Layne (Football) – TBD
Tyler Koester (Football) – TBD
Javarus Guthrie (Football) – TBD
Anna Kate Dover (Softball) – USC Beaufort
Avery Smith (Softball) – Erskine
This story was originally published February 8, 2024, 6:45 AM.
New Rock Hill restaurant Dank Burrito is many things. Just don’t call it Mexican food
John Markshttps://www.heraldonline.com/living/food-drink/article285094042.html
For customers of a certain age, the name Dank Burrito may require a little explanation. But it’s the burrito part that could trip up just about anybody.“We’re not Mexican at all,” said company founder Clarke Merrell.Rock Hill’s newest restaurant — it opens Friday — offers jerk chicken, Cajun fried mahi, cheesesteaks, pork belly and soy ginger pork. There’s teriyaki or honey truffle Buffalo, each in chicken ...
For customers of a certain age, the name Dank Burrito may require a little explanation. But it’s the burrito part that could trip up just about anybody.
“We’re not Mexican at all,” said company founder Clarke Merrell.
Rock Hill’s newest restaurant — it opens Friday — offers jerk chicken, Cajun fried mahi, cheesesteaks, pork belly and soy ginger pork. There’s teriyaki or honey truffle Buffalo, each in chicken or shrimp. Yes, they’re served in burrito wraps. Or in tacos, bowls and salads. The idea is a chef-inspired worldwide palette, with the convenience of a handheld option.
The result is something owners believe is pretty dank, or “ultra fresh,” as store owner Justin Miller described what makes food ‘dank.’ “(Merrell) likes to say it’s ‘fresh to death.’ High quality.”
The only thing more colorful than the Rock Hill-themed graffiti and “flavor bomb” photos bursting from menu screens on the walls may just be the man who brought both to the city.
Merrell knows the insides of a Sunday morning church service and a tattoo parlor. He’s run a white tablecloth restaurant and popular food truck. Merrell wants to keep Dank Burrito edgy and fun, even down to the menu listings.
“We call them flavor bombs, because that’s what they are,” Merrell said.
Merrell playfully explains there aren’t any microwaves. There’s only a small freezer. Produce comes in and is hand-cut daily for ingredients and sauces. All that cutting is tough on employees, but there’s a reason for it — taste.
“It’s 1,000 times better,” Merrell said.
Customers can choose from favorite flavors or modify most dishes, but what makes Dank different from many burrito places are the set pairings. The pork belly matches the sweet Thai chili sauce.
The ranch slaw goes with the honey truffle options. It’s part of Merrell’s flavor, that chefs can build a better burrito even than customers could create themselves.
“It’s not black or pinto beans, chicken or beef,” Miller said.
Dank Burrito sits in a corner spot at 343 Technology Center Way. Across from the Cambria hotel, it’s right beside the Everbowl craft super food site.
Dank is a soft holler away from the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center one side, and the Power House development on the other. Miller mentioned a pizza place that is expected among several brand new storefronts just beside his.
Merrell didn’t know much about Rock Hill until Miller answered a call out in search of the company’s first franchisee. Dank started in 2014 as a food truck and opened a restaurant the next year in Morehead City, North Carolina.
After Rock Hill, Dank will open two locations in North Carolina and another in Florida. Once Merrell visited Rock Hill, he was sold.
“There’s so much going on in Rock Hill, it was hard to just pick one spot,” he said.
The graffiti walls inside the restaurant tell the story.
There are Football City, USA and Winthrop University logos. An image of the iconic Civitas statue at Dave Lyle and Gateway boulevards joins images of the University Center smoke stacks and White Street train.
Miller lives in Fort Mill but spent time in Rock Hill as an investor in new home projects.
The style, brand and food made him want in on what’s now a 3,400-square-foot restaurant with seating for more than 100 customers. Dank will employ about 25 people. Merrell and Miller agree the University Center site made sense with its proximity to a sports arena, hotel, university and new apartment buildings.
“We knew that there was going to be a lot of energy,” Merrell said.
Dank will be open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Food will be available on DoorDash, Uber Eats, the Dank Burrito website or its app. There’s a rewards program and a secret menu available on the app.
The company and new store owners know it may take a little time for customers to understand what Dank Burrito is about, but with each trip to the new restaurant they’ll get it.
“They can see the inside and realize it’s fresh and hip, just like our food,” Miller said.
This story was originally published February 6, 2024, 5:50 AM.
Elizabeth construction will spill across Fort Mill Parkway, bringing 300 apartments
John Markshttps://www.heraldonline.com/news/business/article285513612.html
As homes continue to pop up in the new Elizabeth neighborhood, attention turns to the other side of Fort Mill Parkway.Early construction plans have been submitted to the town for new apartments on the north side of the highway. A separate town planning commission decision Feb. 20 is likely to name a road through those apartments Elizabeth Commons Boulevard.Apartments are allowed on the more than 16-acre site across Fort M...
As homes continue to pop up in the new Elizabeth neighborhood, attention turns to the other side of Fort Mill Parkway.
Early construction plans have been submitted to the town for new apartments on the north side of the highway. A separate town planning commission decision Feb. 20 is likely to name a road through those apartments Elizabeth Commons Boulevard.
Apartments are allowed on the more than 16-acre site across Fort Mill Parkway from the two main entrances as part of a 2016 development agreement with the town. Town planning staff will review plans without any further approvals needed by the planning commission or Fort Mill Town Council.
The apartments are the next phase in what’s been one of the hottest growth areas in Fort Mill the past several years. The town doesn’t have a timeline for when construction will begin, said planning director Penelope Karagounis.
Online property listings have shown about 300 apartments planned on the north side of Fort Mill Parkway for more than a year. Raleigh, North Carolina-based Elizabeth Commons acquired the 16 acres for almost $4.9 million at what will likely become 148 Elizabeth Commons Blvd. from neighborhood builder Lennar Carolinas last May.
The recent submission to the town is for 292 apartments.
A site plan submitted as part of the road name change shows two apartment buildings with a central dog park and maintenance area facing the parkway.
The new, private Elizabeth Commons Boulevard would be right behind them and run from the parkway on the west side to Brickyard Road on the east. Two more apartment buildings, a pool and clubhouse amenity area are north of the new boulevard.
The plan shows two direct entrances from Brickyard Road to the apartment property on its east side. Today, the apartment property sits more than a quarter mile west of Brickyard. The site plan shows that road rerouted or extended west with other home properties along it.
Both the apartments and road alignment are part of much larger changes planned for the area.
A decade ago, former U.S. Rep. John Spratt pitched development of long-time family property near the Catawba River that Mayor Guynn Savage has sometimes referred to since as the birthplace of Fort Mill.
Spratt started with about 3,400 new residences on more than 700 acres, but the count decreased to 2,650 homes and apartments by the time Fort Mill annexed the property in 2016.
A development agreement at that time allowed up to 1,575 homes, 1,075 apartments, at least 350,000 square feet of commercial development and 60 acres along the river donated for a future park.
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February 09, 2023 8:28 AM
Now, the expected new residence count is closer to the 1,300 range. Work began on the south side of Fort Mill Parkway, nearest the river.
Hundreds of homes have been built since the first residents moved in last year. New roads and utility lines are under construction to push Elizabeth deeper toward the river. Apart from the more than 250 home or townhome lots already marked out for the neighborhood, Lennar owns, sold or donated about 300 acres south of the parkway. That space will have new homes, common areas, businesses and a planned town park.
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August 04, 2023 11:25 AM
Lennar still owns more than 300 acres north of the parkway. The largest piece is just east of the new apartment piece, at 259 acres. It contains most of Brickyard Road.
Elizabeth has been a driver for significant growth along Fort Mill Parkway, from a planned Harris Teeter grocery store to several new fast food restaurants, retail businesses and mini-storage. The growth also means a wider parkway is needed.
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October 16, 2023 2:49 PM
A 2017 referendum included widening of Fort Mill Parkway from U.S. 21 to the railroad bridge between Elizabeth and US Foods. It’s part of a larger widening, all the way to Sutton Road and Interstate 77, through York County’s one-cent sales tax for road work program, Pennies for Progress.
The parkway work includes an underpass to connect both sides of Elizabeth.
Pennies started in 1997, and it created Fort Mill Parkway before coming back to widen a portion in front of Elizabeth. A new Pennies referendum this fall is likely to have another stretch of Fort Mill Parkway up for widening, this time from the railroad bridge to Holbrook Road.
A final roads list hasn’t been determined but that project has come up repeatedly in discussion on Fort Mill needs.
NC Mexican restaurant chain chooses downtown Rock Hill for its first site in SC
John Markshttps://www.heraldonline.com/news/business/article281886473.html
Rock Hill will have another food option in University Center with the planned opening of Dank Burrito early next year.The North Carolina restaurant chain will open its newest location at 343 Technology Center Way in The Park at University Center. This is the company’s first expansion into South Carolina.Dank Burrito offers burritos, tacos, bowls and sala...
Rock Hill will have another food option in University Center with the planned opening of Dank Burrito early next year.
The North Carolina restaurant chain will open its newest location at 343 Technology Center Way in The Park at University Center. This is the company’s first expansion into South Carolina.
Dank Burrito offers burritos, tacos, bowls and salads. The 3,300-square-foot Rock Hill location will offer five craft beers, wine, canned beer and seltzers.
Menu options include a Danksgiving burrito, Cheerwine beef quesadilla and Nashville hot chicken burrito plus scratch-made salsa, slaw, kimchi and guacamole, according to a company announcement for the new site. Pork belly, honey trufle Buffalo chicken, carne asada, tree hugger (vegetarian) and cheesesteak options are available in burritos, bowls or tacos.
“Dank Burrito is not your typical burrito joint where the same tired flavors are used,” said owner Clarke Merrell. The company announced plans to open the new site in January.
It’s part of The Park, with 17,000 square feet of retail space and 450 parking spaces in one of several new decks in University Center.
Neighboring properties in University Center include the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center, the 225,000-square-foot Lowenstein Building office and retail area, a Cambria hotel, The Power Plant with apartments and a food hall, The Nest with other apartment space and multiple parking decks.
University Center is a central piece to the city’s redevelopment of former mill and industrial areas downtown. Some sites shuttered for decades are now opening businesses, apartments and retail space.
Dank Burrito continues a Mexican food trend in the Rock Hill region, and specifically the city, toward new restaurants.
Several new Chipotle and Moe’s Southwest Grill sites have opened in York and Lancaster counties the past couple of years. There was the short-lived Cantina concept at Legal Remedy Brewing offering Mexican food dishes. Casa Tequila and Ay Papi Tacos & Tequila opened two years ago, both in Rock Hill.
The food hall at the neighboring Power House site added Chilango Tacos Y Mas earlier this year. Rock Taco opened in downtown Rock Hill just this month. Those spots don’t include a host of area food trucks with taco, burrito and similar options.
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November 07, 2023 1:18 PM
Dank Burrito started as a food truck in Morehead City, North Carolina in 2014. The first storefront opened there the following year. A Raleigh food hall opened another in 2019.
The company intends to franchise more locations after the Rock Hill one, largely across the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida.
This story was originally published November 15, 2023, 10:38 AM.
John Marks graduated from Furman University in 2004 and joined the Herald in 2005. He covers community growth, municipalities, transportation and education mainly in York County and Lancaster County. The Fort Mill native earned dozens of South Carolina Press Association awards and multiple McClatchy President’s Awards for news coverage in Fort Mill and Lake Wylie.
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