Sparky's Country Store — Local services in Marion

On my way home this week I drove past the location and saw the cool signs with the dog and the firecracker. I was really excited to visit hoping that they would have some T-shirts since my husband and I are both dog lovers I thought it would be a nice surprise gift. I was pleasantly surprised when I entered the store to see the sheer size and number of selections they offered in everything from seashells to complete meals! The staff was friendly and I was excited to interact with everyone it was a really nice experience as far as the human side went. That is until I entered the second half of the clothing area and it turned into the local political action committee. I was surrounded by nothing but political items and other assorted garbage. Some of these items were even spouting the most recent popular conspiracy theories. I visit these type of roadside locations on a regular basis and try to do my part to keep them alive. I do not visit these locations to get a lecture on political topics nor do I want to have them thrown in my face as I simply try to shop for some souvenirs. I would like to recommend these owners take this into consideration that not everyone is happy never getting a break from politics. When I go to a Dollar general or most other retailers I don't expect to get a lesson in politics. Please, go back to the way things were and keep the politics out of your business. You may not realize it, care, or even understand what damage it's doing to your business. I stopped by the location with the intention of buying two shirts at 20 bucks each but, well I was browsing the location I also picked up several other items including a amazing shell jewelry box and wanted to get a couple hermit crabs with a habitat and accessories for my nephew. But, once I saw I had to wade through the local political chapter, I placed my items on a table and walked out. Between my purchases in store, the gas I was going to get, and the vape I needed to get to replace my empty one, I would have spent close to $200.

I am just one person. The question you should ask yourself is how many others like myself have come into your store over the course of just 24 hours. Even if it's only five a day you're talking $1,000! Do you really want to walk away from 52,000 extra this year? Is your business doing that well that you don't need that extra money? Please, I see more and more of these roads out attractions closing down every trip I take. It's really sad how we are losing so much of our area and small town history not to mention the loss of the small business and the revenue it helped generate for the community. No one is saying you can't support who you want to or say what you want to but, when you offer a service to the public it's best to remain as neutral as possible so you can cater to the maximum...

Sparkys has been a stop for me since I was a kid. Now I bring my own kids. Before entering we have a "Come to Jesus" about breakables. Well while in the store this visit my daughters dress tail snagged a corner and pulled down a ceramic mug on a corner. The young blonde fellow comes to sweep it and I hand him the large pieces and tell him I'll check out at his register so he can include the mug. No issues. No problems. A minute later while still browsing the store, arms loaded with things, a heavyset brown hair girl comes to me and says, "you'll need to pay for the mug before you continue shopping"... To which my eyes probably rolled bc she JUST heard me tell him I'd ring out with him to include the broken mug AND then I saw them speaking. I informed her that wouldn't be happening. I'm a honest shopper who has spent my entire life enjoying this place and just bc we broke a mug doesn't mean she's going to ruin our visit. She ended up following us all the way to fireworks area and back up AND conveying to another worker that we just broke something. At that point I paid for everything $60+ and instead of getting my 4 girls their hermit crab set ups then having lunch and ice cream there as we've done most of my life (lunch used to be packed and we ate around the side) and ALL of my daughter's life, We drove to Florence and ate lunch there and got ice cream. Today we bought hermit crabs and their terrariums at PetSmart in Columbia. I'm highly disappointed at the treatment we received at Sparkys. The girl trying to make me pay for the mug before we continue shopping for candy and crabs was too much. Her following us then relaying the accident to another person in fireworks was unnecessary. Were we targeted because all my children are black? Because no other family was followed and they had uncontrollable kids. Photo of larger terarium they ended up getting & my...

We stop at Sparky's every year otw to(grabbing last min ess) and otw from the beach(to pick up sovereign for family). I gave 3 stars this visit because after all the years (15+) of stopping by, I've never insulted the way I was this visit. I picked up 2 bags of pecans and a box of salt water taffy. The ladies were nice, letting me know I could pay at the front register bc I wasn't done shopping. I made my way through the store, picking up other things for different ppl. Fudge, rock candy, wind chimes, etc. My friend also shopped, picking up a few things. I made my way to the front register. I explained that I had already paid for some items in my hand. That, my friend has the receipt and is standing in line waiting on our food. (me pointing out said person) The lady leaves the register and walks to another counter. She walked past my friend. When she returned now to a line of ppl waiting, she stated, "I asked and was told no one said this to you." I responded." I never said anyone right there did Ma'am, I said this had been paid for, and my friend that's waiting on food has the receipt." She then began to accuse me of trying to steal something that cost 12$ bc it wasn't wrapped, to which I replied "she didn't want it wrapped bc it's about to be hung up in the car." Instead of going back and forth I said "just ring it up again here 12$ isn't gonna break me and the line isn't getting any shorter". As I was about to step away I heard the cashier say "yeah you paid bc you got caught, its ppl like you, that's when I turned around and ask ppl like me ? What's ppl like me? I then said you're the one behind the register so I suggest keeping your mouth shut , I didn't pay the 12$ bc I was caught stealing a damn thing I paid it bc you have a line of ppl who are as tired as I am coming off vacation and just want...