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Trademark Attorney Working With Clients in Rock Hill, SC

If you're an entrepreneur, you know that protecting your intellectual property should be high on your list when it comes to safeguarding your company. However, as a successful business owner, you also know the steps and costs of filing a trademark in the U.S. can be expensive and arduous.

This conundrum can be even more overwhelming for new business owners who want to do everything possible to minimize the price of securing trademarks. They try to handle complicated tasks like trademark registration on their own, which can be a big mistake - especially when juggling the day-to-day tasks of running a business. You may be thinking, "But what about those set-it-and-forget-it services you can find online? All you have to do is plug in your info, and you're done." Using pre-made templates for trademark filing can be tempting, but doing so can leave you with inadequate protection and hurt you in the long run.

So, what is the easiest, most cost-effective route to consider that also minimizes legal risk? The truth is, before you spend money on a service like LegalZoom, it's best to consult with a trademark attorney working with clients in Rock Hill, SC.

At Sausser Summers, PC, our experienced trademark attorneys can help you understand the trademark process step by step. We can even help with U.S. trademark filing, U.S. trademark responses, and U.S. trademark renewals at a price you can actually afford. That way, you can make an informed decision regarding your business without having to break the bank.

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Sausser Summers, PC: Simplifying the U.S. Trademark Process

Hiring an attorney can be a daunting task, but at Sausser Summers, PC, our goal is to make the process as simple and seamless as possible for you. That's why we offer a straightforward checkout service. First, you choose your flat fee trademark service and fill out a short questionnaire. Then, we will contact you within 24 hours to discuss the details of our service. From there, one of our experienced trademark attorneys will get to work on your behalf.

Using a trademark attorney for filing in Rock Hill, SC, can significantly increase your chances of a successful registration. The U.S. government recommends hiring a trademark attorney to help with your application, and our team of trademark lawyers is dedicated to meeting your needs. In fact, we help ensure your application is filed correctly the first time so you can get on with your life and avoid legal risks.

At Sausser Summers, PC, we work closely with our clients to understand their needs and provide them with sound professional advice. We never offer incomplete services, such as simply filing for registration, because that would leave you open to legal risks. You can rely on us to handle your intellectual property matters, and our flat fee services can help protect your business in a simple, straightforward, and affordable way. It's really that simple.

In terms of filing a U.S. trademark, we provide an easy three-step process to protect your intellectual property:

1. You provide your trademark info to our team via an online form.

2. Our team performs a comprehensive trademark search. This search ensures that no other marks will prevent you from registering your trademark in the U.S. Once performed, we'll send you a legal opinion letter that details our findings.

3. Sausser Summers, PC, files your U.S. trademark application. We are then listed as your Attorney of Record on file. From there, we'll provide ongoing updates regarding the status of your trademark as it works through the registration process.

The bottom line? At Sausser Summers, PC, we give both new and seasoned business owners an easy, efficient, cost-effective way to protect the one asset that sets them apart from others: their name.

Online Trademark Attorney Rock Hill, SC
The bottom line?

At Sausser Summers, PC, we give both new and seasoned business owners an easy, efficient, cost-effective way to protect the one asset that sets them apart from others: their name.

Do I Really Need a Trademark Attorney for Protecting My Business in Rock Hill, SC?

It's not necessary to be a lawyer in order to apply for a trademark. Anyone can submit a trademark application to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). However, registering a trademark involves more than just filling out a form. It's essential to conduct thorough research, accurately identify and clearly explain your trademark to ensure it receives adequate protection. And even after securing a trademark, you've got to monitor it consistently to make sure it's free from infringement.

The big takeaway here is that it's always a good idea to work with a trademark attorney to protect the intellectual property that you've worked so hard to establish. According to the Wall Street Journal, applicants are approximately 50% more likely to secure their trademark than people who file applications on their own. If your trademark application is rejected by the USPTO, you will need to revise and refile it, incurring additional filing fees. To avoid delays and extra costs, it is best to have a trademark lawyer help you get it right the first time.

Additional Benefits of Using a Trademark Attorney

Great trademark attorneys (like those you'll find at Sausser Summers, PC) will help with every step of filing and enforcing your trademark. Some additional benefits include the following:

Check to see if your proposed trademark is registered by another entity.

Conduct research to see if another business is using the trademark for which you're applying.

Provide advice and guidance on the strength of your trademark.

Draft and submit your trademark applications and application revisions.

Advice and guidance regarding trademark maintenance and protection.

Monitor the market for unauthorized use of your trademark.

Trademark enforcement to protect you against infringement.

 Online Trademark Lawyer Rock Hill, SC

Curious whether our trademark attorney services are right for you and your business? Contact Sausser Summer, PC, today. Let's talk about what you need, and how we can help.

What About Services Like LegalZoom?

Online services, such as LegalZoom, can provide you with basic assistance in filing your trademark. However, they will never be a legitimate substitute for an experienced trademark attorney helping clients in Rock Hill, SC.

 Trademark Attorney Rock Hill, SC

Although services like LegalZoom offer a step-by-step process, they take a one-size-fits-all approach to preparing legal documents. Even their advanced service only provides basic attorney assistance in completing your paperwork and helping with minor roadblocks. LegalZoom's disclaimer highlights the many limitations of its services, including the fact that communications are not protected by attorney-client privilege. In addition, LegalZoom cannot provide advice, explanations, opinions, recommendations, or any kind of legal guidance on possible legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, selection of forms or strategies.

In other words, LegalZoom can offer you the necessary forms and point you in the right direction, but they cannot customize their services to your specific needs or help you with serious complications that may arise.

For the most comprehensive trademark service and protection, it's always wise to work with highly rated trademark lawyers, like you'll find at Sausser Summers, PC.

Understanding Trademarks Over Time

Trademarks in the U.S. can last indefinitely, but did you know that clients in Rock Hill, SC can file a trademark online, only to lose protection in some circumstances? Trademarks differ from patents and copyrights in that they do not have an expiration date. However, to prevent the cancellation of a trademark, you must maintain it. To ensure that your trademark remains protected, you must actively use it in commerce and renew it with the USPTO every ten years.

The Lanham Act tells us that "use in commerce" is the legitimate use of a trademark in the ordinary course of trade. In other words, you cannot register a trademark solely to reserve the rights to it in the future. In most cases, a trademark must be used continuously in connection with the goods or services it is registered for.

 Trademark Law Firm Rock Hill, SC

Steps to Renew Your Trademark

Trademarks are registered with the USPTO and generally need to be renewed every ten years. However, there is one crucial exception that you should be aware of. Within the first ten years of owning a trademark, you must file for renewal between the fifth and sixth year from the date of your initial registration.

During this renewal period, you are required to submit a Section 8 declaration, a specimen that shows how the mark is being used, and pay the required fee. You can also apply for Section 15 Incontestability status, which can strengthen your trademark rights. This application, although not mandatory, can make it harder for others to challenge your ownership of the mark.

After the first renewal, which falls between the fifth and sixth year of ownership, the next renewal filing is due between the ninth and tenth year, and then every tenth year thereafter. In the ninth year you will need to file a Section 8 declaration, attesting to your use of the mark or excusable nonuse. You've also got to file a Section 9 renewal application before the end of the tenth year to keep your registration active.

It is worth noting that the USPTO provides a six-month grace period if you fail to renew your mark within the required time frame, but it is best not to rely on it. If you don't file within the grace period time limits, the USPTO will cancel and expire your mark.

By hiring trademark attorneys helping clients in Rock Hill, SC, you can avoid the pitfalls and mistakes that can arise and cause you to lose your rights to the mark that represents it.

Losing Your Trademark Rights Through Abandonment

In the event that you stop using your trademark and have no plans to resume using it in commerce, it may be considered abandoned by the USPTO. This could result in the loss of your protective rights to the mark. Typically, a trademark is assumed to be abandoned if it has not been used for three years. However, you may be able to refute this presumption by providing evidence that you intend to use the mark again in the future.

Losing Your Trademark Rights Through Inappropriate Licensing

In addition to trademark abandonment, you should also be wary of improper licensing. It's important to remember that once you allow someone else to use your trademark, you must keep an eye on how they use it. You should monitor the products or services that feature your trademark to ensure that they meet consumers' expectations in terms of quality. Failure to do so can lead to a "naked" trademark license and the loss of your protective trademark rights.

How to Avoid Having to Refile Your Trademark

If you're wondering how you can avoid refiling your trademark, the answer is simple: file it correctly the first time around. Filing a trademark isn't inherently difficult, but when doing so, it's very important that certain aspects are filled out accurately in your application. If any information is missing or incorrect, the trademark application may be considered "void ab initio" or void from the beginning, requiring you to file again.

To avoid this, make sure that the information you provide in the application is accurate and complete, including the ownership of the trademark. For instance, if a corporation has multiple shareholders, it should not file under the President's personal name. The rightful owner should be the one/entity that ultimately controls the trademark and the associated goods/services.

It is also important to ensure that the goods and/or services description is precise. For example, if you sell electronic products, you should not file for research and development services despite having a research and development department. The goods/services description should reflect the goods/services you offer to customers, not the departments within your business.

Additionally, providing accurate dates of first use when filing for a trademark is crucial. The USPTO requires two dates to be specified - the date of first use anywhere and the date of first use in interstate commerce. Contact our trademark law office today to learn more about having accurate dates on your filing paperwork.

 Trademark Lawyer Rock Hill, SC
 Trademark Firm Rock Hill, SC

What Makes an Online Trademark Attorney Great?

At Sausser Summers, PC, we often get questions about how to distinguish run-of-the-mill consultants and others from great trademark attorneys. After all - when you're looking for an attorney to file or prosecute your business trademark, you should know their qualifications. Here are three ways you can separate the proverbial wheat from the chaff when it comes to trademark attorneys.

It's crucial to seek legal advice from a licensed trademark lawyer rather than relying on advice from non-professionals like trademark consultants. The USPTO even recommends hiring an attorney to help with the trademark process. Although trademark consultants may provide advice on trademark availability or name marketability, they cannot file the trademark for you or offer legal advice. According to the Rules of Practicing in trademark cases, "Individuals who are not attorneys are not recognized to practice before the Office in trademark matters." This rule applies to individuals who assist trademark applicants.

When searching for a trademark attorney, it's important to find someone with a strong background in trademark law. Look for an attorney who specializes in this area and has significant experience handling trademark-related cases. Avoid lawyers who don't have expertise in this field, as they may not be able to provide the guidance and support you need.

Ensure your attorney provides updates throughout the trademark registration process to avoid missing deadlines, including responding to any Office actions within six months. Failure to do so can result in trademark abandonment. The USPTO will only correspond with the listed attorney of record, so make sure your attorney keeps you informed.

In summary:

  • Be sure you're using a licensed trademark attorney helping clients in Rock Hill, SC.
  • It's best to work with a trademark lawyer who has years of experience filing trademarks.
  • Ensure that your trademark lawyer is willing to provide ongoing notifications relating to your trademark application process.
 Trademark Registration Lawyer Rock Hill, SC

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Trademark Attorneys Working Hard for You

Building your brand and gaining recognition for it is a significant achievement, and it's important to protect it. However, there are certain pitfalls and mistakes that can arise, causing you to lose your rights to the mark that represents it. By working with knowledgeable trademark attorneys, you can avoid these issues and file your trademark successfully.

With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Sausser Summers, PC, offers comprehensive guidance, strategic advice, and reliable representation for a variety of trademark matters. Our attorneys have years of real-world experience and, having registered countless trademarks with the USPTO, provide our clients with individualized representation when they need it most.

If you're looking for skilled, adept, and experienced counsel, look no further than our trademark law firm. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation and learn how we can help you safeguard your brand.

Latest News in Rock Hill, SC

Rock Hill School District sues city over funding deal

ROCK HILL, S.C. — The Rock Hill School District is suing the city, claiming Rock Hill did not follow through on a deal signed back in 2020.It involves what’s called a Tax Incremental Financing plan, or TIF. The school district said it has partnered with city council and the city on TIFs historically.The school district says in 2019, it gave $85 million to help develop the Knowl...

ROCK HILL, S.C. — The Rock Hill School District is suing the city, claiming Rock Hill did not follow through on a deal signed back in 2020.

It involves what’s called a Tax Incremental Financing plan, or TIF. The school district said it has partnered with city council and the city on TIFs historically.

The school district says in 2019, it gave $85 million to help develop the Knowledge Park area.

District officials allege the city has not met certain terms from that deal.

ALSO READ: Neighbors at Rock Hill complex say they’ve paid rent but still owe thousands

“As of today, the City of Rock Hill has failed to report their spending of the school district’s money in a requested independent audit, the zoning issue is still not resolved, there is no opportunity for students to learn in a dedicated space in Knowledge Park and the City of Rock Hill has fraudulently overcharged the district for utilities for the sum of $23 million dollars,” the news release reads.

The City of Rock Hill addressed the lawsuit in a statement, saying it had fulfilled the obligations outlined in the deal. It said the school district’s lawsuit is “without merit” and called the district’s strategy an “aggressive, confrontational tactic to bully the City.”

>> Read the lawsuit here.

Read the full statement from the City of Rock Hill below:

“The City of Rock Hill and the Rock Hill School District No 3 have enjoyed a long history of cooperation and mutual assistance to benefit their common taxpayers and serve the children of Rock Hill. Our children are our primary mission and should be the focus of every decision we make. The leadership of the School District has clearly lost its focus with regard to this mission.

“This dispute stems from agreements related to the critical textile corridor revitalization project, which has been a resounding success for the citizens of Rock Hill. The City has met all obligations required under this agreement with the School District – an agreement that has already resulted in the City providing over $6,000,000 in costs savings for the School District since 2020 .

“We are disappointed with the current dispute and have made every reasonable effort to work with the School District – as we have always done in the past. Regrettably, the School District has chosen this aggressive, confrontational tactic to bully the City and extract terms more favorable for the School District than the terms provided in the parties’ written and executed agreement.

“The School District’s complaint against the City is without merit and the City will address the legal merits in that forum.

“The City does not believe in addressing, through a public back-and-forth, its differences with another party.”

(WATCH BELOW: ‘I feel disrespected’: Families scrambling after Rock Hill event venue closes)

Rock Hill Schools suing city over fees

The district claims the city is charging them a fee for electricity that's not consistent with South Carolina law or any previous agreement.ROCK HILL, S.C. — The Rock Hill School District is now suing the City of Rock Hill over what it calls "funding issues."The district claims the city is charging them a fee for electricity that's not consistent with South Carolina law or any previous agreement. The district wants millions of dollars...

The district claims the city is charging them a fee for electricity that's not consistent with South Carolina law or any previous agreement.

ROCK HILL, S.C. — The Rock Hill School District is now suing the City of Rock Hill over what it calls "funding issues."

The district claims the city is charging them a fee for electricity that's not consistent with South Carolina law or any previous agreement. The district wants millions of dollars in tax revenue returned back to them after the alleged failed promises by the city.

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Rock Hill Schools issued the following statement:

“The school district can be a partner in economic development when it benefits our students, but our only mission is to educate our students; the District’s goal is not being the financial mechanism for the City’s development projects. We are disappointed in the lack of follow-through from the City of Rock Hill, and are forced to take this step in order to protect the educational future of our students,” said Helena Miller Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Rock Hill Schools has historically partnered with the City of Rock Hill and County Council in several Tax Incremental Financing Plans or TIFs, and the Downtown TIF in question was a consolidation of many of these past agreements. The school district forfeited $85 million dollars of tax income from the Knowledge Park area over a thirty-year time period in exchange for a series of agreed-upon terms such as educational space in Knowledge Park for student education and experiences, help with zoning on a property that the District hopes to sell, and renegotiation of utility rates among others.

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As of today, the City of Rock Hill has failed to report their spending of the school district’s money in a requested independent audit, the zoning issue is still not resolved, there is no opportunity for students to learn in a dedicated space in Knowledge Park and the City of Rock Hill has fraudulently overcharged the district for utilities for the sum of $23 million dollars. “We entered this agreement in good faith, and it is heartbreaking to see our students being taken advantage of. We have tried to work with city officials to resolve this over the past two years, and this is our last option to make sure our students are given what the agreement states they should be afforded,” Miller said

The City of Rock Hill has issued the following statement:

"The City of Rock Hill and the Rock Hill School District # 3 have enjoyed a long history of cooperation and mutual assistance to benefit their common taxpayers and serve the children of Rock Hill. Our children are our primary mission and should be the focus of every decision we make. The leadership of the school district has clearly lost its focus with regards to this mission, This dispute stems from agreement related to critical textile xxxxx revitalization project which has been a resounding success for the people of Rock Hill. The city has met all obligations required under this agreement with the school district, an agreement that has already resulted in the city providing over $6-million in cost savings for the school district since 2020.

“We are disappointed with the current dispute and have made every reasonable effort to work with the school district, as we always have done in the past, Regrettably the school district has chosen to file a lawsuit and this aggressive confrontational tactic to bully the city and extract terms more favorable for the school district than the terms provided for in the party's written, understood and executed agreement. "The school district's complaint against the city is without merit and the city will address the legal merits in the legal forum. The city does not believe in addressing, through a public back and forth, its differences with another party and will hold to that going forward."

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Caught on Camera: Rock Hill coffee shop broken into, entire safe stolen

ROCK HILL, S.C. — Surveillance video from a Rock Hill coffee shop shows a break-in, where someone left with thousands of dollars in just a few minutes.The robbery happened at Knowledge Perk Coffee Company on West White Street, where a man walked the back door empty-handed and left with a safe filled with cash.Ryan Sanderson, the owner of Knowledge Perk in Rock Hill, couldn’t believe his eyes when he was watching the video, saying they haven’t had a problem since opening their location in the small South Caroli...

ROCK HILL, S.C. — Surveillance video from a Rock Hill coffee shop shows a break-in, where someone left with thousands of dollars in just a few minutes.

The robbery happened at Knowledge Perk Coffee Company on West White Street, where a man walked the back door empty-handed and left with a safe filled with cash.

Ryan Sanderson, the owner of Knowledge Perk in Rock Hill, couldn’t believe his eyes when he was watching the video, saying they haven’t had a problem since opening their location in the small South Carolina town.

“It was just really alarming that, oh, wait a second. This is really my store. This is my video,” Sanderson said.

The person only spent about 10 minutes in the store before making off with the safe. Sanderson says it has nearly $2,000 inside, and some of that was made up of employee tips.

But the break-in itself wasn’t the most unsettling aspect of the story; it was the time it happened: just before the first employee clocked in for work.

“Just a little bit longer than an hour after that, and we have employees coming into the store,” Sanderson said. “If you’ve got enough guts to break in someplace and steal, or what else can happen?”

For an early morning employee, Jacob Weis, something was off after clocking in. When he looked down, at where the safe normally sits, it was completely empty. Now, a thought continuously runs in the back of his mind: ‘What if’?

“It’s a little nerve-wracking knowing that somebody could have been in here while I was in here,” Weis said.

>>>In the video at the top of this story, take a look at the surveillance footage and steps the owner plans to take to ensure the safety of his employees and his store.

(WATCH BELOW: Man accused of sexual assault, break-in at Belmont Abbey dorm turns himself in)

Man accused of sexual assault, break-in at Belmont Abbey dorm turns himself in

Cellphones banned from use in school in Rock Hill this year

ROCK HILL, S.C. — Rock Hill students who head back to school on Monday will no longer be able to use cellphones during school hours.Leaders made the change saying the phones have become a distraction from learning, but some parents and students told Channel 9′s Tina Terry this will create more problems and could even be dangerous.The policy says kids can have cellphones, but they just can’t pull them out and use them. One parent told Terry that kids need their phones for emergencies, so she thinks the policy i...

ROCK HILL, S.C. — Rock Hill students who head back to school on Monday will no longer be able to use cellphones during school hours.

Leaders made the change saying the phones have become a distraction from learning, but some parents and students told Channel 9′s Tina Terry this will create more problems and could even be dangerous.

The policy says kids can have cellphones, but they just can’t pull them out and use them. One parent told Terry that kids need their phones for emergencies, so she thinks the policy is a bad idea.

ALSO READ: Rock Hill teachers receive classroom makeovers before school year begins

“Sometimes kids have bad days,” Rosie Jones said. “They’re not doing too well in school issues.”

Jones said she’s always a phone call or text away when it comes to her three children. But she said Rock Hill Schools is taking away her kids’ ability to communicate with her in an emergency.

“He might go in the bathroom and call me and say ‘mom I’m having issues,’” she said.

The district recently implemented a policy saying students have to turn phones off and put them away -- out of sight -- during school hours.

“We have an environment that is free of distractions, and the cellphones have become very big distractions on our campuses,” said Keith Wilks, the assistant superintendent of support services.

ALSO READ: Channel 9 takes part in Rock Hill School reading day

“It’s a modern-day tool now, and for you to try and take it out of school, it’s going to cause a whole lot of conflict,” Jones said.

But some parents agree with district leaders, saying the change will enhance learning.

“I think it’s a distraction,” said parent Ruth Harris. “I think that there are negative things happening on social media, and not having them out during the school day is a good idea.”

Channel 9 reached out to several local school districts to find out what their policies are on student cellphone use.

In Rowan County, the district leaves it up to the school to make the policy. There is none for Rowan-Salisbury Schools as a whole.

In Iredell County, the district says students attending Iredell-Statesville Schools must turn their phones off during instructional times unless authorized. Read more here.

In Union County, students can use their phones in class with limitations. Read more here.

In Mecklenburg County, students cannot use their phones in class. Read more here.

In Lancaster County, there is no specific policy on cellphones. The district leaves that up to the school’s discretion.

To view Rock Hill Schools’ complete policy and associated consequences, click here.

(WATCH BELOW: Rock Hill’s steps to fill teacher vacancies pays off)

Rock Hill staple Kounter opening high-end cocktail lounge, ‘fun and funky’ speakeasy

ROCK HILL — Rob Masone has cooked around the world — in Afghanistan, Las Vegas and most recently, in Rock Hill, where he owns Kounter, a popular downtown restaurant that he calls his “baby.”But none got Masone pumped up like this next project.“I mean,” he said, “I don’t know that I’ve been excited about something like this in a long time.”On Aug. 15, Masone announced his newest concepts: Kounter Longue, a cocktail lounge, and Elsie’s, a speakeasy named aft...

ROCK HILL — Rob Masone has cooked around the world — in Afghanistan, Las Vegas and most recently, in Rock Hill, where he owns Kounter, a popular downtown restaurant that he calls his “baby.”

But none got Masone pumped up like this next project.

“I mean,” he said, “I don’t know that I’ve been excited about something like this in a long time.”

On Aug. 15, Masone announced his newest concepts: Kounter Longue, a cocktail lounge, and Elsie’s, a speakeasy named after his grandmother.

Slated to open in spring of 2024, the two establishments will occupy the current Edward Jones office downtown, with the lounge on the first floor and speakeasy on the second floor.

They will be located across the hall from and serve as an expansion of his flagship Rock Hill restaurant, Kounter. Masone said it will offer an experience that doesn’t exist in the area.

“This will not be a standard bar,” Masone said. “I’m not opening a bar. That’s not what we’re doing. We’re doing a high-end cocktail lounge. Upstairs is going to be very swanky, very fun and funky.”

Honoring his family

But it’s more than that to Masone, a Rock Hill native.

It’s an ode to his family — his parents Hank and Alice, and his grandmother, Elsie. His parents were active in the Rock Hill community. His father served in the Marines and coached baseball. His mother worked for the Department of Health and Environmental Control, where she won childbirth educator of the year. Both attended the First Presbyterian Church on Main Street.

After his parents passed away two decades ago, Masone found himself with countless family binders of photos. They sat untouched in a warehouse for years. That is — until he realized that he wanted to use the new establishment as a way to honor his family.

Now, he will hang pictures of his family in the stairwell leading up to the speakeasy, Elsie’s, located on the second-floor. He called it a “very personal space” — a space where he hopes everyone can celebrate their family.

“I miss my mother every day,” he said. “It’s a way that I could see her every day. … It’s a way that I can share them with the public.”

A new dimension to downtown drinks

While Rock Hill has multiple breweries and bars in the downtown area, Masone saw the opportunity to develop an upscale cocktail lounge, with everything from homemade cocktails to smoking drinks to imported wines. It will also offer charcuterie and desserts.

The speakeasy upstairs, however, will have a different feel, Masone said. Visitors will have to buzz into the section, where they will find a more vintage look, with Chesterfield furniture, a house piano and “a fun, funky, old-school” speakeasy based on the prohibition era.

He hopes the new establishments will be a place that clients can grab a drink after Kounter closes at 9 or 10 p.m.. Or a place where they can sip cocktails while watching the Christmas parade. Or a place they can host business meetings.

“We’re going for the attorneys and the businessman and the entrepreneur and the small business folks and just the regular Joes that want to come in and experience a cool, funky entrance and go upstairs and be a part of something,” he said.

Most of all, Masone wants it to bring more people to downtown Rock Hill.

For decades, downtown Rock Hill was considered dark and desolate. At one point, an awning covered Main Street.

But in recent years, that has changed, as city leaders and business owners have sought to revitalize the area.

A downtown boom

Once a mill town, Rock Hill’s population has exploded due to its proximity to Charlotte and efforts to reinvigorate the town by, for example, investing in sports tourism. In 40 years, the population in Rock Hill has more than doubled to 75,000, making York County one of the fastest growing areas in the state.

The growth has coincided with multiple new businesses downtown, such as The Mercantile and Common Market. Even more are scheduled to open in coming months, such as Rock Hill Coffee and Rock Star Taco.

In 2020, Masone joined the downtown boom.

He has cooked all around the world. He has owned a restaurant in Fayetteville, N.C., competed in a food competition in Afghanistan and worked at casinos in Las Vegas. He currently owns open-air creperie and Cuban restaurants in Florida.

But Masone, who is a South Carolina Food Ambassador, wanted to return home. In 2020, he opened up Kounter.

The restaurant is located at the site of the former McCorey’s Five & Dime, where the Friendship Nine, a group of Black college students, were arrested after they sat at the segregated lunch counter. Kounter pays homage to the nine men through the original counter where they sat and an exhibit in the hallway that tells their history.

Now Masone sees Elsie’s as another way to help Rock Hill develop its downtown.

It’s not just about creating establishments that are important to him, he said. It’s about creating establishments that will attract people to Rock Hill, the place he grew up umpiring baseball games and went to church.

“Rock Hill has a need. Rock Hill is ready to grow,” he said. “We’re gonna kick the carton a little bit and help it grow.”

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