Description:

Step back into the past! Visit the historic town of Boykin, South Carolina, where you can purchase the best broom you will ever own. You won’t miss The Broom Place as it is one of the six buildings in town. You can also visit the mill, the old post office which is located in the general store (now serving lunch), a fine dining restaurant, and the mill pond. Today the pond is a privately owned nature preserve featuring beautiful water fowl and alligators.

The Broom Place is located in a restored settlers’ home, circa 1740. It is a two room structure, one room is open to the public, in which Susan Simpson makes brooms. The house originally housed slaves who worked at the water-powered grist meal that is next door. The gracious and inviting front porch ensures you have arrived.

Working as a Northeast executive, one day Susan had enough and headed South to her current home and occupation. Using equipment that is 100+ years old, she starts with a carved broom handle and corn straw that she dyes. Primary colors are the basic pallet. Once she has the corn straw the perfect color, she dries it and begins a broom. It is just amazing to watch her make an actual broom from raw materials. Small hearth brooms, large house brooms, children’s brooms are all made and sold right on the premises. The finished brooms are beautiful; more importantly, they really sweep clean.

In addition to her brooms, gifts and crafts from other local craftsmen are sold in the small shop. More times than not, you must place an order for a broom as her demand is far more than supply.

Hours are 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays, and 10:30 until 2:00 on Saturdays.