Chianti’s Building A Name With Quality And Service In Darlington

Sae-Quana Chianti Smith relocated from New York city to Darlington South Carolina in May of 2018 with her now ex-boyfriend. “Chianti” as she is called by friends and family worked in the medical field for more than twenty-seven years. Once she arrived in Darlington, she accepted a position as a phlebotomist at a local hospital. However, her heart was not in her work, and she wanted to start her own business instead. Prior to relocating to South Carolina she had attended culinary school. When she finished school, she started catering part-time mostly for friends and co-workers.
Chianti decided that it was a good time to follow her dream of becoming a restaurant owner. She started looking for a building to purchase, and soon located a restaurant for sale in Society Hill, SC. However, that building did not pass inspection. She continued her search and found a building in Darlington, but was told that the building was for rent, not for sale. However, after a discussion with the bank holding the mortgage, she was allowed to purchase the building in February 2019. After some minor repairs she scheduled the grand opening of her restaurant, Chianti’s Wings and Things, for April 2, 2019. But the restaurant failed its initial inspection causing the opening to be postponed for over a month.

In March 2020, nearly one year from the date the restaurant opened, the pipes in the walls of the restaurant exploded due to the back up of grease in the plumbing lines. That’s when Chianti learned that there were no grease traps in the building and the previous owner may have been improperly disposing of grease through the drainage system. During that same timeframe, the walls began to leak and the roof in the back of the restaurant fell in. The insurance company refused to cover the claim due to improper roof grading. All of these unexpected repairs caused a severe financial strain on the business.
As if all of that wasn’t enough, on March 9, 2020; the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic. Mandated shutdowns soon followed: On March 15, 2020 the mayors of Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Francisco announced impending lockdowns that would close restaurant dining rooms, among other public spaces, to slow the spread of the disease. On March 17, 2020 Governor Henry McMaster ordered the closure of all inside dining at bars and restaurants across the state of South Carolina. “It’s hard to keep your sanity because it’s like you are constantly being tested.” Chianti said.

The virus impacted travel and spending habits for thousands of South Carolinians. Small business failures in the first months of the pandemic were modest, as federal aid helped companies make payroll while waiting for life to return to normal. But the virus continued to spread, shattering records across the state for new cases as emergency federal aid began running out. Unable to open for business, Chianti fell further behind with her mortgage.
On May 4,2020 Governor McMaster allowed South Carolina restaurants and bars, closed for dine-in due to COVID-19 since March 17, to reopen for outdoor seating under certain conditions that allow for social distancing and increased protections against infection. On May 8, McMaster eased restrictions even more, allowing for indoor dining with a suggested capacity of 50 percent, but no formal restrictions, starting May 11. According to Chianti, by the time she was allowed to reopen she had lost more than 50% of her customer base. “It is just sad because this was my dream.” She stated. “Covid hit and everything went down hill and I haven’t been able to recover.” Chianti feels that she doesn’t have support from the community because she is seen as an outsider. Most days she has between 10 and 20 customers all day. She is not making enough to cover her mortgage and she falls further behind each month. “The banks are simply not willing to work with me as I fall further behind. “

While eating and drinking places gained 1.3 million jobs during the first seven months of 2021, the industry is currently 1 million jobs short from reaching its pre-pandemic level of 12.3 million, according to the National Restaurant Association. “People just don’t want to work. When I hire someone to help out, they just stop showing up.” She said. Chianti currently runs the restaurant singlehandedly most days. Occasionally a friend will come in to help take orders or wash dishes. Since reopening, the restaurant’s hours vary. “I’d like to be open longer but I can’t afford to.” she said. “When I am sick I can’t open at all.” Chianti added.
Coupled with the lack of workers, is the rising cost of food and supplies. Chianti said that she was forced to revamp her menu several times because she was unable to offset the rise in cost for certain food items like ribs and ox tails. Even her specialty, chicken wings have seen a large price increase and are harder to find.
When asked what makes her wings so special, Chianti stated that it is her special 3 stage preparation process which includes soaking, deep cleaning and then adding her own special seasoning that makes her wings stand out. “I won’t let anyone else handle the wings, I do it myself to ensure it is done right. That’s why they look and taste different, it’s because of the love that I put in them.” She stated that she gives her customers the food she would serve her family. I

“I am just a young woman who cares about her community, and I want to support them and have them support me.” Chianti’s Wings and Things is currently located at 124 Cashua Street, Darlington SC, 29532 and the hours of operation are 11AM-6PM Tuesday and Wednesday, 11AM-9PM Thursday, 11AM-2AM Friday and 1PM-8PM on Saturday. According to Chianti, once business picks up her hours will be more consistent. In addition to wings, the menu includes fish and grits, hamburgers, hotdogs, salads, Mozzarella sticks, fries, fried pickles, chicken breast and more. If you live in the area or happen to be passing through the Darlington area, stop by and give Chianti’s Wings and Things a try. You won’t be disappointed.