New roadside signs are now directing customers to the St. Francis Center, a nonprofit thrift store on St. Helena Island, following a dispute with Beaufort County over business licensing requirements. The signs are located on Fripp and Mattis roads along the Sea Island Parkway.
Sister Pamela Smith, a member of the St. Francis Center governing council, expressed gratitude for the new signs, stating confidence that people needing their services will now find the center more easily. The St. Francis Center, operated by the Sister of Saints Cyril and Methodius, is situated about one-half mile off the highway in a residential area, making it difficult to locate.
For over a decade, a local landowner allowed the order to maintain a sign on their property for free. However, when the property changed hands and the new owner requested $300 per month for the land use, the order sought an alternative. The Open Land Trust, a neighboring property owner, offered to host a replacement sign without charge. This required approval from the county’s Zoning Board of Appeals.
During the approval process, it was discovered that the order did not possess a business license, leading to a disagreement with the county. Beaufort County Council heard the order’s appeal on June 8. The order contended that as a nonprofit entity, the thrift shop was not a business and therefore did not require a license. The St. Francis Center provides food, clothing, and other assistance to the underserved community, operates an on-site chapel, and its director receives no salary.
Council member David Bartholomew supported the nuns, arguing that local government should not interfere with religious work. He stated that requiring a religious group to submit to licensing places the government between the faithful and their works of faith. A motion to exempt the center from the county’s business license requirement passed unanimously.
Caylor Romines, director of conservation at the Open Land Trust, highlighted the significant contributions of the St. Francis Center to the community, including providing food, clothing, and assistance with home repairs. Romines noted that allowing the center to use a small piece of Open Land Trust property for signage was a simple way to support their work.
